Help Preserve John W. Carlson’s Artistic Legacy
Donation protected
Dear Friends & Family,
When an artist passes away, how do we ensure their life's work is not forgotten in a pile of cardboard boxes at the back of a studio?
Co-Founder of the American Emotionalist Movement, John W. Carlson of Cleveland, Ohio, was a loving partner, brother, a dear friend, and an accomplished artist.
Carlson—artist, musician, garbageman, storyteller, writer, teacher, mentor—died suddenly of an aneurism in Cleveland on December 20, 2020. He was 66. Describing his work, he wrote, “Moving from the personal to the universal…my work acts as a meditation upon grief, particularly my ten-year journey coping with the loss of my son, getting to know grief intimately.” His artwork has been shown in New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, and is in collections at the Erie Art Museum and Massillon Museum, and innumerable private collections around the world.
John’s ability to connect and delight in the stories of others was indicative of his choice to be present and connected. Each of us has fond memories of John, and we have all felt his love, passion, dedication, enthusiasm, and so much more. His selflessness was truly remarkable. John’s final act included the donation of his organs, giving three others the gift of continued life.
As we all celebrate John’s life and impact, many of us want to do our part in helping to preserve his artistic legacy during this difficult time. He left a large body of work behind that must be cataloged and shared. John’s partner, Shari has become his steward; organizing, documenting, and photographing his work to archival-quality standards and renting a climate control storage—in other words, managing the work he left behind. This process requires sifting through thousands of paintings and drawings, and inventorying a 1,500 square-foot studio, seeking permanent placement of his artwork. Without the proper funding required to archive and preserve the manifold reflections of his unique expression, we cannot provide John’s art the eternal life it deserves.
We request everyone who reads this to please contribute any amount they wish. No amount is too small and every contribution is earmarked for the physical preservation of his artwork. If you are willing to support this effort, please click on donate.
Peace and love.
When an artist passes away, how do we ensure their life's work is not forgotten in a pile of cardboard boxes at the back of a studio?
Co-Founder of the American Emotionalist Movement, John W. Carlson of Cleveland, Ohio, was a loving partner, brother, a dear friend, and an accomplished artist.
Carlson—artist, musician, garbageman, storyteller, writer, teacher, mentor—died suddenly of an aneurism in Cleveland on December 20, 2020. He was 66. Describing his work, he wrote, “Moving from the personal to the universal…my work acts as a meditation upon grief, particularly my ten-year journey coping with the loss of my son, getting to know grief intimately.” His artwork has been shown in New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, and is in collections at the Erie Art Museum and Massillon Museum, and innumerable private collections around the world.
John’s ability to connect and delight in the stories of others was indicative of his choice to be present and connected. Each of us has fond memories of John, and we have all felt his love, passion, dedication, enthusiasm, and so much more. His selflessness was truly remarkable. John’s final act included the donation of his organs, giving three others the gift of continued life.
As we all celebrate John’s life and impact, many of us want to do our part in helping to preserve his artistic legacy during this difficult time. He left a large body of work behind that must be cataloged and shared. John’s partner, Shari has become his steward; organizing, documenting, and photographing his work to archival-quality standards and renting a climate control storage—in other words, managing the work he left behind. This process requires sifting through thousands of paintings and drawings, and inventorying a 1,500 square-foot studio, seeking permanent placement of his artwork. Without the proper funding required to archive and preserve the manifold reflections of his unique expression, we cannot provide John’s art the eternal life it deserves.
We request everyone who reads this to please contribute any amount they wish. No amount is too small and every contribution is earmarked for the physical preservation of his artwork. If you are willing to support this effort, please click on donate.
Peace and love.
Organizer and beneficiary
Hilary Gent
Organizer
Cleveland, OH
Shari Wilkins
Beneficiary