Artist, student source of ‘unapologetic’ wisdom
As an artist, docent and self-proclaimed francophile, 62-year-old undergraduate Judith Ellis is difficult to conceptualize. But perhaps that’s the point – she wants to be her own person.
Judith enrolled at the University in 2002 when she and her husband moved to Athens after his retirement from the Navy. As an undergrad majoring in French, she attended the study abroad program UGA en France as a student in 2006 and as a volunteer mentor the year after.
“My heart is really with young people,” said the non-traditional student who insists she be called by her first name. “The first year I went to France, they were like, ‘Oh my God, what the heck is she doing here?’ I told them, ‘And don’t you absolutely love me now?’” she said, laughing during an interview at the Globe. “What can I say – I won them all over.”
Initially, however, the students were slightly unnerved with her age and confidence.
“Judith, being very outspoken and unapologetic, did not instantly bond with everyone,” said Amanda Strickland, a 2006 University alumna who attended the program with Judith. “But after a few weeks, they came to love her and wanted to be around her to gain from her wisdom about French culture and life in general; Judith successfully bridged the generational gap.”
Debbie Bell, the director and an instructor for UGA en France, said, “As a student, Judith was always very prepared and thorough. It’s the difference I always see in students who are older; you just look at your education differently and appreciate it differently. In many ways, she is exactly what you want to have as a student.”
Although Judith had studied French in high school and received an associate’s degree in art and French at Colby Sawyer College – then a two-year school – she has always wanted to obtain her bachelor’s in French.
“My long-term goal is to finish my degree,” she said. “My dream is to graduate and somehow wiggle a position with a [mentoring] program.”
Classmate Rohan Chatterjee said, “Judith is so enthusiastic and fun to have in class. She always participates and keeps discussions going. Her sunny personality always brings the positive vibes to the room, so even if you don’t feel like being there she manages to get you interested and keep you involved.”
However, this semester Judith helping her husband recovery from open-heart surgery and is not enrolled in classes. She said events like this are a harsh reality check but do not deter her from reaching her goal.
She continues practicing French each week at the Globe with a local Athens resident. Other times, she turns to her art studio at the Chase Street Warehouses.
Bedecked in an array of bright colors, the studio emanates Judith’s optimistic energy. Hand-decorated felt pillows are stacked against the door, while a large, Plexiglass panel of her rendition of “Paradise Lost” leans by the exposed brick wall.
“Matisse is probably whom I admire the most for his movement and color,” she said. “I also like Caravaggio because he was very unconventional and opened new vistas to the viewer.”
One inspiration came from a New York Times photo of a woman wearing a billowy black gown. It hangs as a model next to its enlarged, pastel sketch on brown paper. She has added personal touches with immense flowers flowing out of the woman’s posture.
Judith was born and raised just outside New York City. After graduating junior college in New Hampshire, her parents sent her to Europe for the summer. A summer turned into a year, as Judith went from visiting family and friends, to learning German and being a nanny living in Paris.
“That was the greatest experience of my life,” she said. “I was raised in a conservative and sheltered upbringing and it was wonderful to see what the world had to offer. It was all very eye-opening; I felt at home there, I felt like I found a part of me that I didn’t know had existed.”
When she returned to the U.S., she married her college beau at age 21 and raised four children in Virginia Beach, Va., for 24 years. Then she remarried to Mark Ellis, a Navy physician, and moved to Winder in 1992. Five years later, they settled in Athens.
Today, she also volunteers as a docent at the Georgia Museum of Art in her spare time, leading educational tours of the artwork.
“I love art. It’s an important part of my expression,” she said.
Her wisdom and interests may set Judith on a different level than most University students. But one thing is the same: She loves being here.
“I love being at the University. I’ve met great friends, I’ve had great fun,” she said.
“Having the University here [in Athens] is such a blessing because it is an international community. It has great drawing power.”
