Norbert's Obituary

Obituary for Norbert Conrad Ostrowski Norbert Conrad Ostrowski, born May 29, 1938 and returned to God December 9, 2018. He is survived by his wife Marian (Sposato) of 54 loving years. Norbert was the father of Melissa (Dennis) Belevender, Kevin (Lisa) Ostrowski and Nolan (Kathy) Ostrowski. Grandfather to Claire and Jenna Belevender, Steven, Matthew, August and Tullio Ostrowski, and Nolan, Janelle and Domenic Ostrowski. Norbert was the eldest of seven children of Conrad and Jean (Brukwinski) Ostrowski. His siblings were Larry (Donna) Ostrowski, Raymond (Marion) Ostrowski, Jeanette (Bill) Brown, Loretta (Mike) Perrera, Tom (Sherry) Ostrowski and Mary Ann (Ted) Gieraltowski. Brother-in-law to Diane (Joe) Hayes. Norbert retired from a long career as an automotive stylist and clay modeler. His work at American Motors included the design for the Pacer, Gremlin and Javelin. He attended St. Thomas the Apostle Grade School in Detroit, where he served as an altar boy. During his youth he participated in Soap Box Derby racing. In 1958 he won the General Motors Fisher Body Craftsman Guild "Styling" award, which provided him a scholarship to Art Center College in Pasadena, California. Norbert loved boating and operated Inflatable Boat Specialist, selling and repairing inflatables for many years. Norbert was dedicated to sharing his Christian beliefs through his painting in later life. He won two gold medals for his art from the Scarab Club in Detroit and designed the logo and crosses for the Sisters, Home Visitors of Mary in Detroit. He was proud of his Polish heritage and was a member of Friends of Polish Art in Orchard Lake. He enjoyed meeting his retired car designer friends for coffee. He spent hours caring for his grandchildren and mother-in-law, Felicia Sposato, in her last years. He was a model of a father and of "family first" that will be forever remembered and emulated.

Sharing what we have up on the walls

Here is a glimpse of a couple pieces we have hanging today for our own enjoyment. Norbert is no longer painting but his body of work is vast and stunningly diverse in subject matter. His professional career was as an automotive concept artist. Much of his drive to paint has been depicting religious scenes since the early 1990s.

March 2016 Exhibit includes Automotive Designs

Norbert has a couple automotive pieces on display at the Woods Gallery until the end of March 2016. Two are very old and have never been on display. All are available either in print or original.

Two of the pieces are similar to those that are part of the American Dreaming traveling exhibit about automotive design that Norbert commented on to PBS.

Take a close look at the art on the far wall and you can see the older automotive pieces.

Retired automotive stylist, Norbert C. Ostrowski, has artistic works on display at the Woods Gallery for the month of March. 26415 Scotia, Huntington Woods, MI 48070. The opening reception is planned for Sunday March 13, 2016 from 1 – 3:00pm. It will be a unique opportunity to meet Norbert who will be available to show and explain this dynamic collection of acrylic and ink pieces, including award winners, some of which have not been on display for many years.

Art for God's Sake was seen by Hour Detroit Magazine's May 2013 edition. Norbert is pictured with "Jesus Calming the Sea" at St. Anastasia's Catholic Church.

For a second time Norbert will have works on display at St. Anastasia Parish in Troy Michigan. Art for God's Sake, May 3 through 5th,is a juried show on sacred themes. This event is not only a fundraiser for the St. Anastasia community but an illumination of the message of God in our world today. Visitors to the first Art for God's Sake show will remember Norbert's "Last Supper" and "The Tree Remembered." This year he has submitted for display "Moses and the Burning Bush" as well as "Jesus Calming the Sea." Both of these pieces were part of a solo exhibit at the Galeria on the grounds of Orchard Lake Schools in November 2012.

"Creation to Now" Exhibit at Orchard Lake Schools

Many art enthusiasts, friends and fans of Norbert Ostrowski attended an artist's reception in November at the Art Gallery of the Polish Mission. On display through December are some of his large and notable paintings from the stories of the Bible. Included is the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse; a large dark and deep piece that is the subject of much discussion. Many attending the event talked about Moses in the Reeds as well as The Soldier Standing Guard. Some guests from the religious community included Sr. Noreen Elison, from the National Shrine of the Little Flower and Sr. Rosemarie Abate, from the Home Visitors of Mary in Detroit (pictured here with Melissa Belevender) as well as Polish seminarians. Art Gallery Director, Evelyn Bachorski-Bowman along with Marcin Chumiecki, Director of the Polish Mission facilitated the exhibit and greeted the visitors and made this remarkable exhibit possible.