Fine Arts Center to unveil Bransby mural April 20

The Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center commissioned artist Eric Bransby to create a mural in commemoration of the FAC’s 75th Anniversary. The 5’ x 27’ mural will be unveiled with a public dedication on April 20, 2012, at 5:30 p.m.

“The mural is incredible and will be a valued reminder of our first 75 years for decades to come,” said Sam Gappmayer, FAC CEO and President. Bransby has told the FAC that this project will be his last mural.

Bransby, who is 94-years-old, studied under several of the most influential art teachers in 20th Century America. In Kansas City, he studied under Regionalist Thomas Hart Benton, then at the Fine Arts Center School from 1938-40 with master muralist Boardman Robinson, and at Yale in 1952 under abstract colorist Josef Albers. Another master and FAC School Director Jean Charlot helped Bransby finish his Colorado College thesis: painting the domed ceiling of CC's Cossitt Hall in 1947.

Bransby has painted two other murals for the Fine Arts Center. In the 1950s, Bransby painted a mural directly on a wall that was torn down in the 1970s renovation. (The new mural was painted on removable panels.) In 1986, for the FAC’s 50th Anniversary, Bransby was tapped to completely repaint Boardman Robinson’s original 1936 frescoes on the FAC façade; over the years the Robinson frescos had faded.

“Bransby masterfully enhanced Robinson’s original forms with his own details on the original facade,” said Blake Milteer, FAC Museum Director. “With the 75th Anniversary mural, he will bring the mural painting tradition from the original building into the FAC’s stunning new glass corridor.”

Now Bransby is passing the torch as Robinson had done for him years ago. He has been assisted in creating this new mural by a Colorado College art graduate named Trevor Thomas.