Painting a Farewell

An exhibition of paintings by Richard Crozier, who has taught drawing and painting courses at the McIntire Department of Art since 1974, was on display at UVA’s Ruffin Gallery in January. A celebration of his career as an artist and teacher, the exhibit, “Recent Works,” also marked his retirement from the University. Crozier is a prolific painter—he says he averages about five paintings a week—and his work features abstracted scenes of Charlottesville. He often paints en plein air, his easel propped before a building or landscape, working on a canvas that becomes part of what he calls his “visual diary.”

“One looks at art in a very personal way when one has drawn and painted. There is a real conversation taking place,” Crozier says. In retirement, he will be able to continue his passion. “I’m going to be doing a lot of painting.”