Body
WHEREAS, Point Park University opened its new Lawrence Hall Gallery on June 10, 2009 in the newly renovated lobby at Wood Street and Boulevard of the Allies and featured the works of renowned classical-style artist Frank Herbert Mason as its first full premier exhibition ; and,
WHEREAS, Jack Tomayko, a member of the Point Park University Board of Trustees and Conservatory of Performing Arts Advisory Board member, had a long standing relationship with artist Frank Mason and played an integral role in the development of Lawrence Hall Gallery and the display of Frank Mason's work; and,
WHEREAS, Frank Herbert Mason, born in Cleveland, OH, attended the Arts Student League of New York and upon the death of his teacher and mentor, classicist Frank Vincent Dumond, Frank Mason became Dumond's successor, becoming one of the League's most gifted, popular and beloved instructors ; and,
WHEREAS, Frank Mason was an artist and activist, having long been interested in the chemical composition of the paint of the Old Masters and in reviving the lost painting techniques from the 17th century as well as the restoration of masterpieces he believed to have been overcleaned; and,
WHEREAS, Frank Mason was a prolific painter in which he amassed numerous commissions, awards and one-man and group exhibits and has permanent installations such as a series of eight large paintings depicting the life St. Anthony of Padua displayed in the Church of San Giovanni de Malta in Venice, Italy, as well as collections and displays around the world,and;
WHEREAS, Frank Mason's legendary status as a League Instructor grew over his 57
years at the Art Students League and in Vermont summer landscape painting classes as he passed along his art and time-honored methods to his students ;and,
WHEREAS, Frank Mason passed away on June 16, 2009, having had a brilliant artistic career , leaving behind a remarkable and renowned body of work and an indefatigable effort on behalf of endangered artworks.
Title
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby pay tribute, along with Point Park University, to Frank Mason, artist and teacher, who enabled the opening of the Lawrence Hall Gallery and gave his gracious permission to exhibit of a number of his classical-style paintings spanning 50 years before his passing in June.