Richard Stuart HALLIDAY

I remember wondering how much more soup Richard's beard could hold while having lunch with him in the Museum's (MMFA) cafeteria.

Richard Halliday was one, if not the, most influential teacher I have ever had. He pushed me to see the world through his eyes, breaking and remoulding my idea of seeing. His fire was always evident when he taught, from his critiques, to his movement in drawing and how his hands burned their way across a page with a fury of excitement. He shared with me that there should never be hesitation in expression. I remember standing beside him as he shared his techniques starting on a large piece of paper, he pressed hard with the soft piece of charcoal racing across the page, outlining and filling the form we saw before us in seconds. He shared with me many ways of seeing the world that I still use to this day. And his confidence and power of line will forever be remembered as who he was as a man, teacher and as an artist.

I remember his leaving ACAD and we spoke briefly in the hall on his direction for the future in pursuing his art. I mentioned to him at the time, how important his personality was in directing me in College and mentioned to him he was one of the most influential teachers I had ever had. I don't know if he was very good at taking compliments in life, but, I could tell my words left him strangely at the time, silent.

His teaching and his spirit will live on in his art work, family and those of us he shared his spirit of creativity with.

Dear Anitra and family,
I am so sorry to hear about Richard's passing. Please accept my sincere condolences.
May peace and harmony return to your life.
SIncerely, JOyce Jason

Dear Anitra,

I am so sorry to hear of Richard's death. My condolences to you & your family. May you find comfort & consolation.

I am so sad to hear about Richard's passing. I'm a former student, and while I ended up going the design route, Richard was one of the reasons why I applied to ACAD full time. I took an evening figure drawing class with him, and his love for art and teaching was truly inspiring. He will be greatly missed.

Anitra, So sorry to hear of the recent loss of your husband, Richard. I only met him a couple of times at BVC functions & had no idea he was so talented. My sincerest condolences to you & your loved ones.

Richard Halliday, you were one of my favourite teachers at ACAD.
To Richards' family:
**I have countless funny anecdotes that I still tell my own art students, not to mention the time he selflessly raced me back to ACAD from our class's field trip to the Foothills Hospital's morgue... since I had forgotten my wallet in the classroom! I am deeply saddened by his passing, but I will continue to strive to keep his memory alive through my own art instruction and art education. I was thrilled by his exuberance and boisterous passion for art and art making.**
Richard will be very missed by so many lives he touched, that those memories will immortalize him. I thank him for being a part of my life:)
~Robin Thibodeau

Dear Anitra and family,

I was greatly saddened to learn of Richard's death. I shall always remember his energy and enthusiasm and passion for art. He loved it and lived it and transmitted it. I will remember with great fondness having worked at the School of Art and Design, Montreal Museum of fine Arts, and at ACAD in Calgary with him. Richard's profound artistic sensibility impacted everyone who crossed his path. Our sincere condolences to you and the family.
Mimi & Stephen Field

Dear Anitra and the Halliday family,
Please accept my hearfelt condolence, you and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Dear Anitra and the Halliday Family:
Please accept my deepest condolence. I have lost my husband to cancer in 2010, so I do relate to your pain and loss. You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Richard was somehow able to teach the seemingly unteachable aspects of art and it's tether to life and emotion. While being firmly grounded his lessons always transcended merely technique and brought passion to the process of art in all it's forms. Richards lessons have been left with so many and live on through all of us in our art and in our lives.

You played this life's role to the fullest.

I am so sad to hear of Richard's passing. my condolences to the family.

Adam and family. Ron and I were saddened to hear of your father's death. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Michelle and Ron (Edmonton colleagues)

You are greatly missed, Richard. Deepest condolence to all the Hallidays.

So sorry to hear of Richard's passing. My condolences to your family, especially Tia. I will never forget Richard picking Tia up from dance class - singing a loud, booming "Tia Maria" as he entered the studio. So much joy, such obvious love for his daughter.

Thinking of you all.

It wasn't just that you made your students work hard, Richard, it was that you made us WANT to work hard. We caught your passion, came to believe what you believed - that art matters. You mattered and your life's work continues to matter. To Calgary, to ACAD, to me and many many others whose lives you touched.

The finest illustration instructor I ever had. I had the honour of his instruction for 4 classes in first and second year at the Alberta College of Art and Design. No other instructor taught me more about perspective and style. He was a huge inspiration for me to continue my career in visual communication. I imagine him in the great beyond making fun of nude models. Here's to you, sir!

Your legacy lives on in many forms.

Thank you for being so dedicated, determined, thoughtful and kind.

You will be missed greatly.

while at school in calgary, Richard was a larger than life character, whose energetic approach to drawing, painting, and art criticism in general, had a profound and continued effect on my practice. he will be missed, but remembered with great fondness and respect!

One of a kind from the generation of artists who lived their art - as activists and artist
- tempered the lives of many - in public life and teaching - Harry Kiyooka

idea, materials, process

Thank you Richard for being one of the best mentors ever! Your dedication, drive and passion empowered my practice forever.