Strauses and the Arts became a reality because of a growing recognition that a disproportionate number of Straus family members were artists or, in some manner, involved in the arts. On the whole, they are high achieving people, appreciative of the opportunities given to them and more than ready to share the bountiful fruits of their labors. They are primarily known as merchants, philanthropists and public servants. And, although it has become abundantly clear that the family has an unusual number of individuals involved in the arts, these are not attributes generally associated with the Straus family. Once we started doing research into the people who exhibit these attributes, it quickly became apparent that there was far too much information for one newsletter article, or even for a series of articles. The eBook, Strauses and the Arts, seemed like a good way to highlight the family’s artists, an idea that was met with enthusiastic support. The Straus family originated in southwestern Germany. Some family members began immigrating to the United States in the mid-19th century. Brothers Emanuel and Moritz Straus came to the United States in 1839 and settled in San Francisco, CA. Their brother, Lazarus Straus and his family, arrived in the 1850s, moved to Talbotton, GA and then to Columbus, GA before relocating to New York after the Civil War. Many Strauses remained in Germany. Today, representatives of the family can be found all over the world. And in almost all cases, they continue to be mindful of their roots, and proud of the legacy of honor and integrity they’ve inherited. The first chapter in our eBook describe some of the Strauses from past generations and their interest in the arts. The remainder of this book is devoted to the present day Strauses. There are so many family members who are practicing artists, or involved in the arts in some manner, that we were able to present articles about only thirty of them in this eBook. We conducted interviews and wrote articles based on their responses to our questions about their artistic interests and activities. We asked specific lifestyle and background questions before broadening our queries, asking about the nature of art, creativity, and each artist’s approach to their craft. Each article is accompanied by a head shot of the artist and several images of their artwork. Not all of the interviewees are American. We interviewed painters, sculptors, musicians, photographers, a professor of music theory and patrons of the arts. There seemed to be a common thread. No matter what kind of art the interviewee was involved with, each person indicated that they had no choice. Their art was a passion; something they had to do. It was a part of their identity; part of who they are. They practiced their art for its own sake, without the need for recognition, even though most admitted it was nice to get some recognition, especially among their peers. It didn’t matter if they were hobbyists or professional artists, their art was a calling. Several of the artists recognized that their art might not be sufficient to financially sustain them and so they turned to other allied professions, such as teaching, to earn a living while always keeping art as part of the focus of that profession. Several of the artists were artistic as children, but delayed the expression of their talent until after life events, such as raising a family, or working, gave them the time to fully devote to the expression of their art form. Art is a lonely pursuit. Teaching allows for the sharing of ideas and experiences. It provides an outlet of expression and community that would otherwise be lacking. Whatever the motivation, or the expression, each artists was clear about the necessity to create art and their unflagging devotion it. Strauses and the Arts allows us to explore the many ways in which art can be expressed while showcasing the talents of the Straus family members. 3
