Eastern Connecticut State University’s Art Gallery is hosting an exhibition to honor the memory of art professor Andy Jones, who passed earlier this year on Jan. 25. The exhibition titled, “2020: Eastern’s Painting and Drawing Faculty Exhibition,” is showcasing art pieces from faculty members and will be available for viewing until Oct. 1.

Born in Raleigh, NC, Jones began his painting journey as early as high school but migrated to Connecticut in 1988 after being inspired by the landscapes and farms in New England. Soon after, he found Eastern and began teaching art at the university for 20 years. Jones’ focus was landscapes that he captured on his trips to Southern Georgia, the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina and throughout New England. He was fascinated with the animals, the land’s geology and the farmers that tended the land.

“It’s really nice that they chose paintings that represent his development,” stated Deborah Grant Jones, Andy Jones’ wife. “I’ve been going through his studios and categorizing things,” she continued. “My daughter and I even made a trip to North Carolina and took some paintings to his family members, so it was really nice to be able to give them paintings of places that they love."

This current exhibition gives Eastern faculty a chance to present the emotions, subjectivity and multi-cultural journeys of their artworks. "We are eager to embrace the artistic energies and explorations of our art faculty," stated Art Gallery Director Yulia Tikhonova.

The Art Gallery is located in the Fine Arts Instructional Center and open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. or by appointment. For more information, email the Gallery Director Tikhonova at tikhonovay@easternct.edu or call (860) 465-4625