From left are JB Murphy, an artist with Aspire’s IXpress program; Amy Holdnack, manager, Aspire’s IXpress Art program; Ron Halicki, and Jeff Dietz, art facilitator at the Aspire Fredonia Dayhab.
Most people wouldn’t expect to find a classic car inside a library. But that’s what happened recently to area resident Ron Halicki who recognized the vehicle as one that played a key role in the movie, “Gone in 60 Seconds,” a 1971 film created by his brother, H.B. “Toby” Halicki.
“I was on my way to a meeting at the Darwin Museum concerning the just past exciting festivities of General Lafayette’s re-enactment of his visit to Fredonia 200 years before,” explained Halicki.
“As I entered the library, an employee pointed out to me a great painting of our stunt car, ‘Eleanor’ which was featured in our movies,” he added. “I decided then and there that I would buy it.”
The painting, the work of artist JB Murphy, was part of an art show at the library featuring works by individuals supported by Aspire of WNY, an organization that works with children and adults with developmental disabilities.
“JB was inspired by his love of classic cars,” said Jessie Waterhouse, a manager at the Aspire dayhab in Fredonia. “He was wearing a shirt with classic cars on it one day at a program and our Art Facilitator, Jeff, asked him if he would like to make a painting of a car. JB got very excited, and they started looking up cars to paint. They decided on ‘Eleanor’ from the original “Gone is 60 Seconds” movie. They painted it from a picture they found online.”
The 1974 film featured a Ford Mustang painted in school bus yellow. “Eleanor” was also featured in a 2000 remake of the film starring Nicolas Cage and Angelina Jolie. Ron played a variety of roles as co-creator of the films. He had an acting role in a 1974 movie that was written, directed and produced by H.B. Halicki who also starred in the film.
Ron Halicki recently met with JB at the Library where he also gifted the artist with memorabilia from the movie.
“I now have JB’s Eleanor in my home by my desk,” Halicki said. “I was impressed with JB Murphy’s ability to accurately paint Eleanor in what I consider a 3/4 aerial view and that’s not easy to do.”
Haliciki said he was also impressed by all the art on display by Aspire as well as the work of the organization itself.
“I learned of the loving work they do daily throughout Western New York with the exceptionally creative minds of the students,” he added.
Proceeds from the art show were split between the artists and Aspire. Individuals interested in purchasing art from Aspire can contact Jeff Dietz at jdietz@aspirewny.org or Amy at the iXpress office at 716-512-6787.
One other interesting note tied to the painting is Halicki’s boyhood friend’s mother, Eleanor Korzeniewski, was the inspiration of the name for the movie’s main car.
