A Tribute to Everett DuPen – March/Apr 1999

Some of Everett DuPen’s former sculpture students decided it was time to honor him as one of the great sculpture teachers of our time. The Martin-Zambito Gallery in Seattle was contacted and the show opened February 4, 1999, and concluded March 3, 1999. There were 21 artists represented, including Everett.

Professor DuPen taught sculpture at the University of Washington from 1945 to 1982. After retiring, he spent another 12 years providing a life class for those interested in an evening session at the U of W where artists met once a week to sculpt the model. The life class, now called the DuPen Academy, continues meeting at the Mercer Island Community Center.

Many of his students have followed in his legacy. They include active professional sculptors and teachers of sculpture. A few have had to earn a living in other ways, but upon retirement are happily back into sculpture. Two of the former students included in the exhibit are deceased.

Participants in the show were from Washington and Oregon. The show included work from each sculptor and photos of their larger installations. The materials included ceramic, wood, bronze, aluminum and stone. The show encompassed a broad range of styles from abstract to realistic.

At least 10 of Everett’s sculptures were on exhibit, along with his drawings and photos of earlier work, creating a mini-retrospective. Four NWSSA members also were participants: Paul Buckner (Eugene, OR); Rich Hestekind (Seattle, WA), Vic Picou (Seattle, WA), and Nancy Green (Seattle, WA).

The artists wrote a tribute to Everett expressing how his teaching has affected their lives and why they chose to produce sculpture, and these words were posted beside their work.

Everett DuPen has been on the Board of Directors of NWSSA for many years and continues to contribute valuable information and insight to our group.