Chris Horton Legacy Exhibit Coming to Hartford Art School’s Silpe Gallery

Chris Horton Legacy, an exhibition and sale of original artwork by the late Chris Horton, Hartford Art School professor emeritus, will be featured at the University of Hartford’s Donald and Linda Silpe Gallery from Friday, October 7, to Sunday, October 30. A dedicated member of the Hartford Art School faculty, Horton created the School’s Experimental Studio program where he influenced hundreds of artists over three decades. He passed away from leukemia in January 2005.

Horton was a sought-after guest lecturer, visiting artist, and panelist, who served as art educator with Suffield public schools before joining the faculty at Hartford Art School. In 1997, Horton received the University of Hartford’s Roy E. Larsen Award for Excellence in Teaching. Upon receipt of the award, Horton said, “The worst sin of a teacher is boredom. You must approach teaching with a combination of care and discipline for your students. You need both, they have to be complementary all of the time.”

“Whenever I speak with alumni from the ‘70s, ‘80s, and ‘90s, nearly all mention Chris Horton and the impact he had on their lives and their art,” said Hartford Art School Dean Nancy Stuart. “The exhibit is a wonderful opportunity for the arts community come together to celebrate Chris’ legacy, and to own an art piece from his body of work.”

His widow, Sherry Horton, said when he was asked what type of memorial he wanted, Horton specified that a scholarship be created for Hartford Art School students who are academically and artistically talented. “All of Chris’s work has been sitting in his studio for the last 10 years,” she said. “I know Chris would want to give people the ability to own a piece of his artwork and to support the scholarship that bears his name.”

Horton’s family is donating hundreds of his drawings, paintings, and sculptures for the exhibit and sale to benefit the Chris Horton Endowed Scholarship Fund. Created in 2005, the school is attempting to grow this particular scholarship fund to support future Hartford Art School students and honor one of its significant professors.

A reception and sale of Horton’s work takes place Saturday, October 15, from 4:30 to 8 p.m. during Hawktober, the University’s annual parents and homecoming weekend. It will include a gallery talk and reminiscence with Hartford Art School Alumna Annette Lawrence ’86, at 4:30 p.m. Alumni are encouraged to bring their theory sketchbooks for an informal exhibition of the work they created while under Horton’s instruction. In addition, Sherry Horton will be signing copies of her book, Witness Chair: A Memoir of Art, Marriage, and Loss, an account of her 40 years with Horton.

For more information about the Chris Horton Legacy exhibit, or the Hartford Art School, call 860.768.4393, or email artschool@hartford.edu.