Aerospace engineer’s lifelong passion for art on display in Gallery 90

Colorful, detailed and rich in texture, John Gornto’s paintings are brightening the walls of Gallery 90.

Thanks to Hospice of the Chesapeake’s healing arts partner, Chesapeake Arts Center, 17 of Gornto pieces are on display through March 1 in the gallery throughout the nonprofit’s administrative building on the John & Cathy Belcher Campus at 90 Ritchie Highway, Pasadena, MD. The show portrays Gornto’s artistic journey spanning over 40 years, allowing the viewer to observe changes in his style, medium and size.

Trained in the fine arts at Norton School of Art, Rhode Island School of Design, Florida State University and Maryland Institute of Art, he ultimately majored in college in physics and is now a senior staff engineer and manufacturing technologist at a local aerospace corporation.

Gornto holds five patents as a result of his creative skills, technical training and ability to work with a diversity of people in a challenging environment. He recently was featured on Fox-45 news for a massive painting he created in reaction to gun violence in Baltimore.

Gallery 90 was established to realize the vision of creating a harmonious work environment for Hospice of the Chesapeake administrative staff and visiting nurses, caregivers and volunteers who work directly with patients and their families.

Free docent-led tours will take place from 2 to 4 p.m. Feb. 3 and 24. For reservations, or to schedule a private tour for your group, contact Kris Carpenter-Zyla at 443-837-1328 or kcarpenterzyla@hospicechesapeake.org.

For more information about the artist, visit http://jgart.org.