John Robinson Manning, Artist (1928 - 2009)

Born May 12, 1928 in Wilkes Barre PA, he died of complications from Myelofibrosis on January 15, 2009 in Poughkeepsie NY.

John received his BA from Lafayette College in 1950. While in the Army, 1951-53, he attended the Osaka Museum School in Osaka, Japan.

He continued his education at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, Philadelphia, PA, where he was awarded the Edwin Austin Abbey Memorial Scholarship (Prix de Rome) to the American Academy in Rome in 1957.

His work was exhibited at Graham Gallery in New York City. He had solo exhibits around the US, as well as Amsterdam and Brussels.

While living in New York City in the 60's, he taught at Cooper Union, New York University and Hofstra University, amongst other institutions.

In 1970, John moved with his family to Starkville, NY to become Director of School of Art at Munson-Williams-Proctor Institute in Utica. During his tenure, he conceived and developed The Foundation Program, a nationally recognized accredited school of art, now a college program affiliated with Pratt Institute, Brooklyn NY.

In 1982, he was the curator for the exhibit "An Appreciation of Realism" at the Munson-Williams-Proctor Institute.

In 1985, he helped initiate and direct the Summer Art Program and Symposium for the La Napoule Art Foundation in France, affiliated with the University of New Hampshire.

From 1988 until his death, he pursued his painting at his studio near Rhinebeck, NY. John Manning is survived by his wife, Barbara, his daughter, Karen, and three grandsons, Max, Jasper and Theo.