The Grand Gallery is open for ticketed events and by appointment through the ticket office. Appointments are scheduled in 30 minute increments inside the 10-3 pm Monday through Friday normal schedule. Requests outside of the normal schedule will be accommodated if staffing is available. Click the request button above and include contact information and requested time.
Also we have a monthly Arty Hour dates/times will be posted.
This exhibit represents some of John’s masterful silkscreens from the 1980’s as a young man studying at the University of Missouri, his mid-career iconographic watercolor/ink drawings, and the surprise body of intimate watercolors he was working on up until his death in August 2023. Together they tell a story of a prolific artist’s journey and how his sensibilities did not change so much as grew and matured into what is arguably his most accomplished “marks”, a word he preferred.
The eight predominately yellow and black watercolors were found in his studio and appears to be his last series. He may not have considered them finished but the freshness and sureness of the marks are stunning. The other similar small pieces were stored in a portfolio. As far as we know no one had seen them. However, he told a former student and closest friend that his goal was 350. Most people associate John with his large abstract paintings. It appears he set himself free from his more labored methods and embraced intuitive, spontaneous and severely honest marks. I know he took great pleasure in their creation and being absorbed En plein air.
John retired from Kentucky State University as an Associate Professor of Art after 33 years of dedicated service, where he modeled the life of a working artist for students. His artwork was the fabric of his life.
