JoAnn Crisp-Ellert

JoAnn Crisp-Ellert, artist and author, and a member of the Washington Color School, is in "Who's Who in American Art". She received a B.F.A. from Syracuse University, and her M.F.A. and Ph.D. degrees from American University, Washington, D.C. The Andrew Mellon Foundation awarded her a Post-Doctoral Fellowship at Yale University. In studies abroad she received a Diploma in Art from the Royal College of Art and also from the Sorbonne.

The Katzan Art Center, at American University, has dedicate a Gallery wing after her and Flagler College in St. Augustine, Fla., is constructing the "JoAnn Crisp-Ellert Art Museum" to show her paintings.

JoAnn Crisp-Ellert had many one-person shows at Gallery 10 on Dupont Circle in Washington, D.C. during the more than 20 years she was a member. Additionally, she also had other Washington exhibits, including the Cosmos Club, the Arts Club, George Mason University, Emerson Gallery, Artel Gallery, and the Bridge Gallery. In 1995 JoAnn had a one-person show at Watkins Gallery, American University, entitled "Passport to St. Augustine". She also had solo shows in London, Paris, and Heidelberg.

By the unexpected combination of vivid hues of brilliant colors, volumes, and styles, the paintings of JoAnn Crisp Ellert are contemporary, dynamic, and spontaneous. Her scale of work is of uncommon size and abstract. By adding "found" objects she created three-dimensional assemblages which invade spectator space. Besides installation art, Crisp Ellert has also produced many other types of art from expressionistic religious pictures to academic portraits.

While in Washington JoAnn was president of D.C. area Chapter of Artist Equity and of Gallery 10, served on the Board of the Coalition of Washington Artists, and was Educational Curator at the Hirshhorn Musum and Sculpture Garden.

Her work is represented in numerous private and institutional collections, including American University, the George Meany Center, Yale University, Bowden Corporation, Rippeteau Architects PC, Corcoran Gallery of Art, Dura Corporation, and Syracuse University.

In addition to her painting, JoAnn has written half a dozen entertaining books. In "19 Palace Gate," she combined her skills as artist and author to chronicle the art genre as it developed in post World War Two London. In "3099 Que St", soon to be published, the chronicle continues in the art world of Georgetown, Washington, D.C. She has also written and illustrated four books on the adventures of her Harlequin Great Dane Pablo in London, Paris, St. Augustine, Fla., and Washington, DC.

Crisp-Ellert was an associate professor of Art at the University of Virginia, George Mason University, and the University of Maryland.

She resided at her death in St. Augustine, Fla., with her husband Dr. Robert B. Ellert and is also survived by her sister and brother-in-law Nancy and Wilf Gerrard of Jacksonville, Fla.

A Funeral Mass will be held 12 noon Tuesday Jan. 9, 2007 at her residence, 48 Sevilla St., St. Augustine, with Msgr. Harold F. Jordon officiating. Visitation will follow the services until 4 p.m. Flagler College is providing parking at Markland House at the corner of King Street and Markland Place. Dr. Ellert will be buried in Arlington National Cemetery. Service times in Arlington will be announced. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made in JoAnn's name to St. Augustine House of Prayer, 34 Ocean Ave. St. Augustine, FL 32084.

Funeral arrangements by Craig Funeral Home & Crematory, St. Augustine. www.craigfuneralhome.com

PAID NOTICE