In
1964, while he was chairman of the Art Department at Stetson
University in Deland, Florida, Fred Messersmith met Ruth Mead,
founder of the Martha’s Vineyard Art Association. Francis
Chapin, a summer Vineyard resident, was an artist-in-residence
at Stetson at the time. Ruth urged Fred and his wife, Jane,
to come to the lovely island for the summer, and so began
the Messersmiths connection to the Vineyard and Fred’s
34-year history with the Association.
Fred
and Jane began coming to Edgartown in the summer of 1964.
Fred painted with Francis Chapin in the classroom above the
gallery and started teaching watercolor classes in 1969. In
1986, he began a ten year term as gallery director, and of
course, worked closely with Ruth Mead. Jane’s gracious
touch was felt throughout the gallery as well as she welcomed
first time visitors and returning artists each summer.
When
one pictures Edgartown, very often one sees the white captains’
houses and the harbor as Fred has painted them in watercolor.
There is probably not a picket fence or turreted tower that
he has not captured on the island! However, his paintings
in casein on rice paper capture a more atmospheric Vineyard
with rich red skies over dunes or moonlit seascapes with the
reflections of the harbor lights, moon and stars in the water.
His one hour video entitled "Moon Shadows" is available
at these addresses:Summer address: PO Box 274, Edgartown MA
02539 phone (508) 627-4881
Winter address: 726 N. Boston Ave. Deland, FL 32724 phone
(904) 734-6180
EDUCATION:
Ohio Wesleyan University, BFA and MA
TEACHING
EXPERIENCE:
Stetson University
Martha’s Vineyard Art Association
COLLECTIONS:
Addison Gallery
Springfield Art Museum, Illinois
Stetson UniversityMEMBERSHIPS:
American Watercolor Society
Watercolor USA Honor Society
Florida Watercolor Society
Alabama Watercolor Society
Southern Watercolor Society
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