ALAN THOMPKINS
"CYCLISTS"
OIL ON PANEL, SIGNED
AMERICAN, C.1940
11 X 12 INCHES
Alan Tompkins
1907-2007
Alan Tompkins a prolific artist, he continued to paint into his 100th year and strongly desired one thing: to be remembered for his art. “I’m not a hobbyist, I’m not an educator,” said Tompkins. “I want to be remembered as a painter.”
Tompkins produced thousands of paintings, many showing the influence of Cubism and abstract art, during a long and productive career.
Tompkins played a pivotal role in the formation of the University of Hartford. He was director of the Hartford Art School in 1957 when it merged with the original Hillyer College and the Hartt College of Music to become the University of Hartford. He served as director until 1969 and then taught art history and visual studies until his retirement in 1974.
A graduate of Columbia University and Yale Art School, he taught painting at John Herron Art School, Cooper Union, and Columbia University. Tompkins also worked as a book illustrator, muralist, portraitist, industrial designer, and lecturer. Tompkins died in 2007 and his family recently donated more than 100 of his paintings to the Health Center.
Exhibited: AIC, 1936; mural sketches & traveling exh., U.S. & abroad; Herron AI, Indianapolis; Ind. Artists Ann., 1937-38; AIC Ann, 1938; PAFA Ann., 1939; Sweat Mem. Mus., 1943; CAFA Ann., 1952-71 (first prize for painting, 1968-70).
Member: Conn. Acad. (v. pres., 1970-72); Conn. WC Soc.
Work: commissions: mural paintings comn. by US Treas. Dept. for post off. at Indianapolis, Ind., 1936, Martinsville, Ind., 1937 & Boone, NC, 1940; mural painting, Gen. Elec. Co, Bridgeport, Conn., 1944; mural painting, Cent. Baptist Church, Hartford, Conn., 1958.
Positions: dir., Hartford Art Sch., Univ. Hartford, 1957-69; comnr., Fine Arts Comn., Hartford, 1959-69; v. chancellor, Univ. Hartford, 1960-. Teaching: t., John Herron AI (1934-38); instr. painting, Cooper Union Art Sch., 1938-43; lectr. painting, Columbia Univ., 1946-51; prof. painting & art hist., Univ. Hartford, 1951-. Research: 20th century art.
