PAT jeferies Returning to art to “re-find” self Born and (mostly) raised in Napa, Pat Jefferies is a person who immediately gives you the sense that this is a man firmly grounded in being, well, Pat Jefferies. ▲ This strong sense of self was born out of a semi-nomadic life early on. He was forced to spend a good portion of his youth on his own and eventually got jobs in restaurants around the valley to make ends meet. That led to his current long-time stint in restaurant management. And though he has a sincere love and respect for all places he’s worked, he tends to identify more with his art. While he has pursued art most of his life, he did “hang up his brush” for a long time. He’s only recently taken up painting and sculpting again as a way to “re-find” himself during a period of personal strife. Since then he has gained fast and admirable acclaim. In art, he says, he does whatever comes across his fingertips, whatever feels right at the time—staying true to whatever feelings he has at that moment. But when asked if it’s the restaurant industry or his art that he most wants to be remembered by, he answers, “I just don’t think that what we do is who we are. How do I want to be remembered? Who am I? I want to be remembered as my daughter Emma’s Dad.” Taylor Bartolucci DeGuilio has taken to the stage since the age of four. With more than sixty productions under her belt, she is a stage veteran and has performed around the Bay Area. Besides live theater, she has done voiceovers for commercials. In the spring of 2013, she realized a lifelong dream when she played Fanny Brice in Lucky Penny’s production of Funny Girl at the Napa Valley Opera House. That summer she directed her first full-length play, Wonder of the World, and then played The Lady of the Lake in the 6th Street Playhouse production of Monty Python’s Spamalot, followed by her third time around playing Mama Rose in Gypsy, this time for Missouri Street Theatre. Tayl or Bart olucci DeGuilio Treading the stage and wine cellar floor Along the way, the Justin-Siena High School graduate also earned a degree in wine making at UC Davis to work with her family’s winery, Madonna Estate. Performing has always been in her heart, though, so she works at the winery doing sales and marketing during the day and performs in regional theater productions at night. In 2009, she and business partner Barry Martin co-founded and co-executive directed Lucky Penny Productions, Napa Valley’s Premiere Theatre Company. “We went into starting the production company blind,” said Taylor. “I am so grateful for the support of this community who has helped us thrive. In 2012 Lucky Penny turned non-profit. “It’s not about making money, it’s about sharing the love of live theater.” www.luckypennynapa.com ▲ 20 www.nAPAVA L L E Y L I F E magaz ine. c o m photo by ART & CLARITY photo by KARI RUEL
NVLife_Feb_2014
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