Cecil Herring

1931 - 2015

Herring, Cecil a pioneering artist, writer and intellect died on January 12, 2015. Born March 8, 1931 in Miami, Florida to James and Naomi Darby, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Abbott Herring, Sr., (1986). She is survived by brother, James A. Darby of Flagler and four children, Cynthia H. Moe; Abbott M. Herring, Jr. (Joan); Michael S. Herring (Nell); and Claudia H. Whigham (Mark); ten grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Cecil was a Renaissance woman, who painted, sculpted, made jewelry and wearable art, and noted photographer and writer. She had degrees from UF and UCF and developed the digital arts program at Stetson University. She reported for the Today Newspaper in the 60's and 70's, covering the Apollo program, including the 1969 moon mission. She pioneered the use of sprayed PVC over steel to create unique sculptures called Spacescapes, (Spacecsapes.com), blending space technology with space art. Her works have been displayed throughout the U.S. and world, including New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Miami, China and Germany. Her art hangs in many Florida public buildings. She received a Kodak Innovator Award for large formal digital printing and countless awards in juried art shows throughout Florida. She's had one-woman shows throughout the U.S. and her jewelry is in the Ford Presidential Library. She tirelessly championed art causes for 65 years, mentoring and inspiring many young artists along the way. She "looked beyond the art horizon" and was a classy, intelligent and loving mother, never at a loss for words, who will have a lasting impact on the art world and on everyone she touched. A memorial service will be Thursday, January 22 at 2pm at Baldwin-Fairchild Oaklawn Chapel in Lake Mary. Flowers through Sanford Flower Shop.