Pawel A. Kontny

KONTNY, PAWEL A. Prominent Denver artist and teacher, 79 Pawel A. Kontny, longtime Denver artist and teacher, died at his Cherry Hills home in Denver on June 22, 2002. He was born in 1923 in Poland. In 1939 he began studying architecture in Breslau. His studies were interrupted in 1941 when he was drafted into the Germany army. He recorded his impressions of the local population and the landscapes through his watercolors and drawings. Kontny thereafter moved to Nuremberg, becoming a member of the Union of Nuremberg Architects and helping to rebuild the city's historic center. He soon decided to concentrate on his professional art career. He married Irmgard Laurer, a dancer with the Nuremberg Opera. Kontny's career as an artist was launched with his participation in an all German exhibition, held at the Dusseldorf Museum in 1952. He held one-man shows in Germany, Switzerland and the United States. During his trip to the United States in 1960, Kontny became instantly enamored with Colorado, and decided to relocate to Cherry Hills with his wife and two children. He quickly established himself in the local art community, being affiliated for a time with Denver Art Galleries and Saks Galleries. His subject matter became the Southwest. During this time he received the Prestigious Gold Medal of the Art Academy of Rome. His extensive travel provided material for the paintings he did using his hallmark marble dust technique. he also worked equally in pastel, watercolor, charcoal and pencil-and-ink. As a Denver resident, Kontny exhibited at galleries and museums throughout the United States, Germany and Japan. Over the years Kontny had a number of students and generously helped young artist by hosting exhibitions at his Cherry Hills home. For many years he generously donated his paintings to support charitable causes in Denver. Kontny's work is included on various private and corporate collections and museums throughout the United States, Europe and Japan. He is survived by his wife, Imgard; his two children Yvonne and Mario (Margarita); and his four grandchildren Andrea, Kristina, Alexandra and John. Visitation, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., and vigil service at 7 p.m., both on Tuesday at Horan and McConaty Family Chapel, 1091 S. Colorado Blvd. Funeral mass, Wednesday 10 a.m., Most Precious Blood Catholic Church, 2200 S. Colorado Blvd. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Arts Students League of Denver, 200 Grant St., Denver 80203; or the Council of Indian Nations, PO Box 1800, Apache Junction, AZ 85217-9981.