Hall Groat Sr.
Biography,
American
Impressionist
Learn about the life
and career of this important American Impressionist painter, living and
working in Central New York.
Hall Groat Sr, an American Impressionist painter is a
native of Syracuse, New York, where he studied painting; worked towards his
Master of Fines Arts degree and began his life long career as an artist.
Groat has dedicated his entire full-time professional career, spanning over
forty years, to pursuing his passion for art. The Berkshire Museum was the
first of several museums worldwide to acquire a major Groat work. The Museum
purchased the prize winner, Megalopolis, one of the largest of Groat’s
railroad paintings. This is where the late Norman Rockwell first discovered
him and invited the then twenty-nine year old to dinner in the Berkshires.
The United Nations awarded Groat with the honor of having a series of
paintings for their stamp reproduction. The series of ten paintings is in the
permanent collections of United Nations Philatelic Museum in Geneva,
Switzerland. In addition, Groat’s paintings are included in the collections
of notables such as President Jimmy Carter, the late Jacob Javits, Henry
Kissinger, Fred Perry, Sir Michael Tippett, Christopher Keane, and the late
Arthur Fiedler. Ambassadors among countless others have also invested in his
work.
In recent years,
Groat has turned his attention to the corporate world with emphasis on banks,
churches, brokerage houses, and insurance companies. His work is included in
numerous corporate collections throughout the world today. Clement Greenberg,
one of the nation’s foremost art critics, once stated that “Hall Groat was an
artist who could make it” and he was proven correct.
American
Impressionist: Hall Groat Sr.
By Jim Hall, Art
Critic, Rochester, New York
Always
self-confident, Groat’s brushwork has become even bolder and more assertive.
In many of the works presented, we find the paint is applied in broad strokes
or highly apparent daubs and drips, heightening our sense of disparity
between the creative energy of the artist and the refined sophistication of
the image. The surface of these paintings is thicker, with the addition of
sand and occasionally collage to the medium, so that lines are inscribed into
the surface as often as painted upon it. The hallmark of Groat’s style
remains his uncanny ability to organize compositions through color. But those
who recall the soft, brooding landscapes of the past will find here a warmer,
more vibrant palette, with more strident contrasts of both hue and value. So,
too, has the ambient light of earlier landscapes become more focused and
dramatic. In paintings like Monhegan Surf, the light which illuminates the
landscape has become the subject of the painting. “Groat’s depiction often
treads a fine line between realism and abstraction. Objects or entire scenes
come into our presence with the force of belated recognition.”
The
Self-representing Artist
By Hall Groat Sr.
Forty years of
dragging art to galleries from Cape Cod to Sarasota and struggling to make a
living have come to an end. The way artists have had to work with galleries
as middlemen was a big disaster.
Most artists have
had to put their art on consignment while the galleries keep hiking up their
commissions. Freedom for artists has come by way of cyberspace and a
new breed of self-representing artists are enjoying what is rightfully
theirs–direct contact with their customers. We are now the deal makers and
can reap the profits without working through an established gallery.
No longer is there a
need for a critic to nod approval to a young artist who dreads what a bad
review can do to his career. The artist is in the driver’s seat now and
galleries as we know them are dying on the vine. each year there are fewer of
these antiquated establishments in business. Art lovers can now enjoy
the luxury of attending an opening on-line and meet the artist through his
podcast or personal on line store or any number of innovating ideas.
EDUCATION:
1959
Syracuse University, School of Art, BFA
1962
Syracuse University Graduate School of Art, Studied with Josef Albers,
Yale University
ONE PERSON
EXHIBITIONS:
2003
Oxford Gallery, Rochester, NY
2001
Oxford Gallery, Rochester, NY
1997
Oxford Gallery, Rochester, NY
1993 Two
Generations of Painting, Olin Fine Arts Center, Washington &
Jefferson, College,
Washington, PA
1992
John H. Mulroy Civic Center, Syracuse, NY
1987
Left Bank Gallery, Wellfleet, MA
1986
Kendall Art Gallery, Wellfleet, MA
1985
Arlene Mc Daniels Gallery, Simsbury, CT
1983
LeMoyne College Art Gallery, Syracuse, NY
1975
SUNY Morrisville, Morrisville, NY
1973
Wellfleet Art Gallery, Wellfleet, MA
1971
Main Street Gallery, Wilkes Barre, PA
1970
Sarasota Art Association, Sarasota, FL
1969
Janet Fleisher Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
1968
Longboat Key Art Center, L.K., FL
1967
Beau Arts Gallery, Sarasota, FL
1966
Roberson Center, Binghamton, NY
1962
Berskshire Museum, Pittsfield, MA
PUBLIC COLLECTIONS:
Syracuse University
United Nations
Philatelic Museum, Palais des, Geneva, Switzerland
Berkshire Museum of
Art
Paine-Webber
Corporation
First National Bank
Chemical Bank
Norstar Bank
Key Bank
Deliote Haskins
Hartford National
Bank
Emhart Corporation
Merrill Lynch
Bristol-Myers-Squibb
Syracuse China
Security Mutual
Mutual of New York
Insurance
Bond Shoeneck &
King Law Firm
PRIVATE COLLECTIONS:
Jimmy Carter (former
U.S. President)
John Kennedy
Henry Kissinger
Senator Tarky
Lombardi
Emilo Pucci
Senator Leverne
Fred Perry
LECTURES /
DEMONSTRATIONS:
Berkshire Museum,
Pittsfield, MA
Cooperstown Art
Association, Cooperstown, NY
Sherburne Art
Society, Sherburne, NY
Everson Museum of
Art, Syracuse, NY
Onieda Library,
Onieda, NY
Temple Adath
Yeshurun, Syracuse, NY
Jewish Community
Center, Syracuse, NY
Baldwinsville Art
Guild, Baldwinsville, NY
Thousand Islands Art
Association, Clayton, NY
Elmira Art
Association, Elmira, NY
Geneva Art
Association, Geneva, NY
Masonic Temple/Philo
Lodge, Syracuse, NY
Rotary Club of
Syracuse
Savannah College of
Art & Design, Savannah, GA
Syracuse Symphony
Onondaga Public
Library
MURALS:
John H. Mulroy
Onondaga County Civic Center
Saint James Church,
Syracuse, NY
Republic of Korea
(Naval)
General Electric
Co., Pittsfield, MA (Admirals Gate)
Johnstown, NY,
Public Auditorium
Fay Drug Co.,
Syracuse, NY
SUNY Morrisville
Library
Ther Merrill Center,
Merrill Trust Company, Bangor, ME
Bank of America
(Formerly Norstar Bank and Syracuse Savings Bank, Syracuse, NY.
Building included in National Register of Historic Landmarks)
Skaneateles Savings
Bank, Skaneateles, NY
Miller Brewing
Company, Fulton, NY
Bristol-Myers
Squibb, Dewitt, NY
St. John The
Evangelist Church, Syracuse, NY
St. Elizabeth Anne
Seton Church, Clay, NY
MONY Tower II,
Syracuse, NY
Blue Cross/Blue
Shield, Syracuse, NY
North Medical
Center, Syracuse, NY
EXHIBITIONS /
AWARDS:
United Nations,
NYC, Philatelic Award, 1973
Butler Institute of
American Art, Youngstown, Ohio
Avenue Art Gallery
National Small Works Painting Exhibition, Endicott, NY
Everson Museum of
Art, Syracuse, NY
Rochester-Finger
Lakes, Rochester, NY
Munson-Williams-Proctor
Institute, Utica, NY
Cooperstown Art
Association, Cooperstown, NY, Frederick A. Godley Award
Memorial, Prize/CAA
Purchase Award
Springfield
National, Springfield, MA
New York State Fair,
Syracuse, NY
Sarasota Art
Association, Sarasota, FL
Pittsfield Art
League, Pittsfield, MA, Best In Show
Associated Artists
of Syracuse, Best In Show & Gordon Steele Memorial Award
Medal, One-man
Show Award
Williams College,
Williamsville, MA
Central New York Art
Open, First Prize
State of the Arts,
Boston, MA
JUROR:
Sarasota Art
Association, Sarasota, FL, Abstract & Non-Objective Show, 1973
Chittenango Art
League, Chittenango, NY
Camillus Art
Association, Camillus, NY, 1973, 1978
WCNY-TV (Channel
24), TEL AUC Artists of NYC
Manlius, NY, Annual
Art Exhibition
National Exhibition,
Ellsworth Gallery, Simsbury, CT, 1979
Associated Artists
of Syracuse, 1980
Tioga Art
Association, Owego, NY
PUBLICATIONS:
National Society of
Mural Painters
Who’s Who In
American Art
Who’s Who In The
East
International
Biographies, London, England
Sarasota Art
Association, Sarasota, FL
Secretariat News, United Nations
World Federation of
United Nations Associations, ten, First Day of Issue
cover painting,
(Pablo Picasso 90th birthday commemorative design)
WCNY Public
Television, documentary film, Hall Groat, A Man and His Art
EDUCATION:
1959
Syracuse University, School of Art, BFA
1962
Syracuse University Graduate School of Art
Studied with Josef
Albers, Yale University
ONE PERSON
EXHIBITIONS:
2003
Oxford Gallery, Rochester, NY
2001
Oxford Gallery, Rochester, NY
1997
Oxford Gallery, Rochester, NY
1993 Two
Generations of Painting, Olin Fine Arts Center, Washington &
Jefferson, College, Washington, PA
1992
John H. Mulroy Civic Center, Syracuse, NY
1987
Left Bank Gallery, Wellfleet, MA
1986
Kendall Art Gallery, Wellfleet, MA
1985
Arlene Mc Daniels Gallery, Simsbury, CT
1983
LeMoyne College Art Gallery, Syracuse, NY
1975
SUNY Morrisville, Morrisville, NY
1973
Wellfleet Art Gallery, Wellfleet, MA
1971
Main Street Gallery, Wilkes Barre, PA
1970
Sarasota Art Association, Sarasota, FL
1969
Janet Fleisher Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
1968
Longboat Key Art Center, L.K., FL
1967
Beau Arts Gallery, Sarasota, FL
1966
Roberson Center, Binghamton, NY
1962
Berskshire Museum, Pittsfield, MA
PUBLIC COLLECTIONS:
Syracuse University
United Nations
Philatelic Museum, Palais des, Geneva, Switzerland
Berkshire Museum of
Art
Paine-Webber
Corporation
First National Bank
Chemical Bank
Norstar Bank
Key Bank
Deliote Haskins
Hartford National
Bank
Emhart Corporation
Merrill Lynch
Bristol-Myers-Squibb
Syracuse China
Security Mutual
Mutual of New York
Insurance
Bond Shoeneck &
King Law Firm
PRIVATE COLLECTIONS:
Jimmy Carter (former
U.S. President)
John Kennedy
Henry Kissinger
Senator Tarky
Lombardi
Emilo Pucci
Senator Leverne
Fred Perry
LECTURES /
DEMONSTRATIONS:
Berkshire Museum,
Pittsfield, MA
Cooperstown Art
Association, Cooperstown, NY
Sherburne Art
Society, Sherburne, NY
Everson Museum of
Art, Syracuse, NY
Onieda Library,
Onieda, NY
Temple Adath
Yeshurun, Syracuse, NY
Jewish Community
Center, Syracuse, NY
Baldwinsville Art
Guild, Baldwinsville, NY
Thousand Islands Art
Association, Clayton, NY
Elmira Art
Association, Elmira, NY
Geneva Art
Association, Geneva, NY
Masonic Temple/Philo
Lodge, Syracuse, NY
Rotary Club of
Syracuse
Savannah College of
Art & Design, Savannah, GA
Syracuse Symphony
Onondaga Public
Library
MURALS:
John H. Mulroy
Onondaga County Civic Center
Saint James Church,
Syracuse, NY
Republic of Korea
(Naval)
General Electric
Co., Pittsfield, MA (Admirals Gate)
Johnstown, NY,
Public Auditorium
Fay Drug Co.,
Syracuse, NY
SUNY Morrisville
Library
Ther Merrill Center,
Merrill Trust Company, Bangor, ME
Bank of America
(Formerly Norstar Bank and Syracuse Savings Bank, Syracuse, NY
Skaneateles Savings
Bank, Skaneateles, NY
Miller Brewing
Company, Fulton, NY
Bristol-Myers
Squibb, Dewitt, NY
St. John The
Evangelist Church, Syracuse, NY
St. Elizabeth Anne
Seton Church, Clay, NY
MONY Tower II,
Syracuse, NY
Blue Cross/Blue
Shield, Syracuse, NY
North Medical
Center, Syracuse, NY
EXHIBITIONS /
AWARDS:
United Nations,
NYC, Philatelic Award, 1973
Butler Institute of
American Art, Youngstown, Ohio
Avenue Art Gallery
National Small Works Painting Exhibition, Endicott, NY
Everson Museum of
Art, Syracuse, NY
Rochester-Finger
Lakes, Rochester, NY
Munson-Williams-Proctor
Institute, Utica, NY
Cooperstown Art
Association, Cooperstown, NY, Frederick A. Godley Award
Memorial, Prize/CAA
Purchase Award
Springfield
National, Springfield, MA
New York State Fair,
Syracuse, NY
Sarasota Art
Association, Sarasota, FL
Pittsfield Art
League, Pittsfield, MA, Best In Show
Associated Artists
of Syracuse, Best In Show & Gordon Steele Memorial Award
Medal, One-man
Show Award
Williams College,
Williamsville, MA
Central New York Art
Open, First Prize
State of the Arts, Boston,
MA
JUROR:
Sarasota Art
Association, Sarasota, FL, Abstract & Non-Objective Show, 1973
Chittenango Art
League, Chittenango, NY
Camillus Art
Association, Camillus, NY, 1973, 1978
WCNY-TV (Channel
24), TEL AUC Artists of NYC
Manlius, NY, Annual
Art Exhibition
National Exhibition,
Ellsworth Gallery, Simsbury, CT, 1979
Associated Artists
of Syracuse, 1980
Tioga Art
Association, Owego, NY
PUBLICATIONS:
National Society of
Mural Painters
Who’s Who In
American Art
Who’s Who In The East
International
Biographies, London, England
Sarasota Art
Association, Sarasota, FL
Secretariat News, United Nations
World Federation of
United Nations Associations, ten, First Day of Issue
cover painting,
(Pablo Picasso 90th birthday commemorative design)
WCNY Public
Television, documentary film, Hall Groat, A Man and His Art
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