Crossan Hays Curry

In 1959 Crossan Hays Curry was working at Olivet College in Michigan as a professor. My grandmother, a schoolteacher who had returned to college for an art degree, was one of his students. My grandmother's paintings were on display in the corridors of Shipherd Hall when the building was destroyed by fire. The loss of her artwork took a heavy emotional toll on my grandmother, and Professor Curry gave her one of his paintings named Blue Bench Ghosts as a gesture of condolence.

Crossan Curry was the most influential person in my life. He had two lessons, among many, that really stuck with me: paint like you draw, and each picture has its own set of rules. His classes were the best, not to mention full of life and surprises. It never mattered to me whether my last class of the week ended on Friday at 4:50, while most others had already started the weekend hours before. At that time there was no better place to be than in his class. While once reviewing the end of the quarter paintings, lined up against the wall in the gallery at Hiestand Hall, he said something which I have borrowed many times. Looking at one student's piece he remarked, That's weird weird plus!

God bless Crossan Curry. A gentleman and a scholar. He would always notify me when my Irish Setter Kerry would frequently get loose and head to Western or Slant Walk to chase squirrels in the late seventies.

Professor Curry was a terrific teacher, a towering figure with a booming voice. He could analyze more about your painting capabilities from a one inch square rather than the 4 x 6 foot canvases we used to paint. He will always be fondly remembered. RIP....