John S. Dimick | A Vermont Painter

“Building A Dream”

John S. Dimick
Teacher, Runner, Coach, Painter

The Dimick family moved to Brattleboro in 1961 when my father, Everett Dimick , was hired as the Principal of the new Brattleboro Junior High School. I grew up in Brattleboro and graduated from the next to the last graduating class of St. Michael’s High School of Brattleboro in 1967. I graduated from the University of Vermont in 1971 with a history major and art minor specializing in stone lithography under the direction of Bill Davison. Long distance running was an important part of both my high school and college experience. After graduation I biked around Europe with a friend and when I returned I worked as a carpenter in Guilford, VT. for a year. I returned to UVM in 1972 and received a teaching certificate in special education and industrial arts which led to a career in education teaching in Brattleboro teaching special education for 16 years and middle school industrial arts and technology education until retirement from teaching in 2009. I pursued my passion for distance running for many years, qualifying for three U.S. Olympic Trials in the marathon along the way and posting a personal best time in the marathon of 2:11:53 winning the Mardi Gras marathon in 1979. After retiring from a very disciplined running career in the mid 80’s I took up watercolor painting studying under the direction of Maisie Crowther. Throughout my teaching career I coached Cross-Country in the fall and Track and Field in the spring and I have finally retired from coaching after 42 years and 68 seasons. I have enjoyed drawing, both free sketching and technical drawing all of my life.

1956 and I was 7yrs. old….

Recently I have rediscovered my paint brushes and I am currently working primarily in watercolors. I work at my studio at home and also I spend time painting with the Brush and Palette Painters, a group of watercolor painters at the Gibson Aiken Center in Brattleboro. I am a member of the Vermont Watercolor Society and have recently been awarded signature member status.