Brookhaven Campus’s Forum Gallery was buzzing and filled with nostalgia on the night of Sept. 13, as colleagues, former students and community members gathered to honor Don Taylor, an emeritus painting faculty member, during a special reception. The event was held to celebrate Taylor’s impressions and long-lasting legacy, alongside the work of five of his former students, now faculty members themselves, who were deeply influenced by his mentorship.
The retrospective, held in the Forum Gallery, is filled with art meticulously displayed across every wall. Taylor’s own works, as well as those of his former students, professors Chong Chu, Du Chau, Marian Ichaso Lereid, Arthur Fields, and Sarah Pickett, showcase both the technical skill and personal growth they express that flourished under his guidance. The exhibition runs from Aug. 26-Oct. 4 and is a testament to the undeniable impact Taylor has had on various generations of artists.
Taylor, who mentored many students during his tenure, has been influential in shaping the artistic careers of the featured faculty artists. At the reception, Taylor’s former students shared their own heartfelt stories of how their own lives and artistic journeys were molded by his assistance.
Chau, one of the featured artists, said Taylor, at the time, encouraged him to break traditional rules in art, giving him the freedom to explore and experiment without restraint unlike the medical work he studied. Chau said, “His life is a part of my life.”
Lereid, who found refreshing success after two attempts at college, shared a touching story about how Taylor helped her not only flourish as an artist, but also as a person. Lereid said to Taylor, “You helped me relax and find a community and I’ve learned that the inside of a piece of art should be just as beautiful as the outside.”
Fields, a photography professor at Brookhaven, said Taylor was more than just a mentor, but a friend. “I found a family here, and they cared about my goals,” Fields said. He recounted and thanked Taylor for such a pivotal time it was to be in his class.
Chu, a visual arts professor at Brookhaven, said Don has touched so many lives, including his, and is someone who inspired him to become a professor himself.
Sarah Pickett, said she first encountered Taylor’s work while taking saxophone lessons, wandering one day past the printmaking studio class. Pickett said, “Don always said, ‘One day she’ll have my job.’” Pickett eventually signed up for his class, a decision that led her to pursue a Master of Fine Arts in printmaking, and now teaches the very same printmaking class Taylor once taught, bringing their story full circle.
At the reception’s conclusion, Taylor took a moment to express his gratitude, reflecting on his years at Brookhaven and the friendships he built along the way. Taylor said he had so many people to thank. “I’m so grateful to have been able to teach here at Brookhaven,” he said. “It’s been really good. I’ve had help from lots of friends, and I couldn’t have done it without them.”
The exhibition continues through Oct. 4, offering visitors a chance to see the lasting influence of Taylor’s work and the vibrant creativity he has cultivated in his students and friends.
