Homer Hacker: A Dayton Storyteller

Extended through March 18!

Homer Hacker is a Dayton treasure. He graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1935, having concurrently spent six years on scholarship at The Dayton Art Institute studying with John King, Edward Burroughs and Martha Schauer. He then went on to Ohio University, graduating cum laude in journalism, economics and English literature.

Hacker spent 22 years at The Dayton Daily News, much of that time working as Art Director and Chief Photographer. In 1961 he moved on to another Dayton Institution, Top Value Enterprises, where he worked as Director of Creative Services and Special Events. Though he never had the opportunity to meet Rockwell, he did get to know much about him during the nine years that Rockwell illustrated covers for Top Value Stamps.

During this time, Hacker decided to begin painting in watercolor and soon was teaching and exhibiting – a passion he pursued for another 40 years.

He was a co-founder of Art Center Dayton in the 1940s; helped
establish Kettering’s Rosewood Gallery in the 1970s; was a charter member of the Ohio Watercolor Society in the 1980s; and during this time had more than 30 one-man shows in museums and galleries across the nation. He received the Montgomery County Cultural District’s Lifetime Achievement Award in2008; and was honored with the prestigious Elizabeth Callan medal in 2009 at the American Watercolor Society International Exhibition.

How To Go

The Dayton Art Institute is proud to present the watercolors of Homer Hacker in partnership with the Dayton Visual Arts Center, a community art organization he has supported since its inception in 1981.The works are on view in The Cafe through February 12, and the exhibition if free and open to the public.

The work in this exhibition was matted by Rachelle O’Donnell of Lamplighter Frames, who donated the conservation materials and her expert labor to the museum. We sincerely thank her, and hope you will consider contacting Lamplighter for your framing needs:

Lamplighter Frames
5573 Far Hills Ave.
Dayton, OH 45429
(937) 435-4330

Image: Nova Scotia, Homer Hacker, transparent watercolor, shown courtesy of the artist.