“He has continued to inspire me with his insightfulness, caring demeanor, deep listening and open heart - along with his continued artistic focus on making art that tells meaningful stories. Those lessons haven’t stopped - a measure of Sheppard’s timeless influence. “He started me on a road to trusting my gut with decision-making and image-creation.” “Luvon taught me to take risks, which at that point was something I had not been pushed to do very much,” Stahl said. Stahl recalled how Sheppard’s focused approach would place him in a healthy physical and mental state for evening mixed media painting classes at Geneseo. Todd Stahl ’02 MST (Visual Arts-All Grades), a local art teacher at Webster Thomas High School, was an undergraduate student of Sheppard’s at SUNY Geneseo. “Luvon mentors all of us, each in the way we need it individually,” Ettlie said. That’s the unique thing about Luvon - when he’s your professor, he’s so much more.” I can talk to him about anything,’” Ramich said.
“I think every graduate student who takes his class will say to me at some point, ‘He is so wonderful. His enduring legacy includes leading art and design classes since 1972 at RIT, SUNY Brockport, SUNY Geneseo and in the greater Rochester community. The history of the area’s art scene is incomplete without Sheppard, the 1986 RIT Eisenhart Award for Outstanding Teaching recipient. Sheppard has been shaping the lives of artists of all ages for five-plus decades. Sheppard has left indelible mark on numerous artists who have benefitted from his mentorship. I’m at an age to retire, but I’m still excited.” “I get that from giving to the students, but also receiving from the students. Army from 1962-65 before pursuing a career as an artist and educator. “My personal growth is the thing I keep an eye on,” said Sheppard, a chief medical clerk in the U.S. He credits that to a teaching philosophy rooted in shared energy and lessons. Sheppard still finds himself learning and growing. “He’s kind of like the Godfather of art.” Luvon Sheppard, the educator “Luvon is a driving force in that neighborhood,” Ramich said. Joy Gallery is a living demonstration of Sheppard’s career-spanning effort to promote local art. Himself as an artist, even in that brief period of time, was so impactful.” “He sang and played with a richness and soul that only brought me closer to the world I was experiencing that night. “That night left an imprint on me that's incredibly beautiful,” said Karla Gutierrez, a second-year Production student. Some of his well-known pieces are portraits of local Black icons, abolitionist Frederick Douglass, choreographer and dancer Garth Fagan and community activist Mildred Johnson among them.Īs Luvon Sheppard's remarkable career as an artist, educator and community collaborator continues, a number of people paid tribute to his influence on their lives. Many of his paintings reflect his own experiences in Rochester, his home since he was 5. I think it gives me a much better peripheral as far as growing myself.” Luvon Sheppard, the artist
NOTA ROCHESTER FULL
I want to be involved with a full circle of visual people. I don’t want to just teach illustrators, I don’t want to just teach painters or designers. “Because of the students at RIT I gleam a lot. “I receive more than I give as far as academic stimulation or conceptual awareness goes,” said Sheppard ’69, an alumnus of RIT’s inaugural class of the Visual Arts-All Grades MST program. While not a retrospective, the exhibition celebrates Sheppard as a creative sage in the community. The show features his latest collage work, a collection of his signature watercolor paintings and plein air paintings.
One of Sheppard's collage pieces to be featured in his RIT City Art Space exhibition. To schedule a viewing, please use below calendar.Photo by John Retallack, former RIT faculty Both due at lease signing.Īnimals 2 years and older will be considered with a $250 non refundable per animal deposit and $25/month per pet rent (some breed restrictions apply). Online application process and rent payments! Tenant is responsible for cooking gas and electric. Owner pays for heat, trash, water, and sewer. Located on the 1st floor, this one bedroom apartment boasts original hardwood floors, 9 ft ceilings, tall windows, updated kitchen with island, updated bath, decorative fireplace, off street parking, coin-op laundry in the basement, and shared first floor porch. Walk to coffee shops, Memorial Art Gallery, Strathallan Hotel, restaurants and cafes, Art Walk, Park Ave, etc. Charming apartment with high ceilings in a Victorian house on a highly sought after quiet, tree lined street in Neighborhood of the Arts (NOTA), the cultural center of the City of Rochester.