As a young man in the early 1950s, George Earl Fox created extraordinary works of art that reflected daily life in the beautiful little city of Sarasota, Florida. There was no way for him to know then that the scenes he painted would become Sarasota’s historic, now vanished, landmarks. In his award-winning style of abstract realism, George Fox captured Sarasota’s unique fusion of “culture and carnival” in a series of extraordinary watercolor and ink paintings.
For more than 50 years, these paintings have been treasured in the private art collections of Fox’s family and friends. Now, using advanced fine art reproduction techniques, George Fox has published a series of his early works entitled “Sarasota Circa 1952.”
From l. to r. are Hilton Leech, bronze medal winner, George Earl Fox, gold medal winner for his “Siesta Market”, and Syd Solomon, silver medal winner.
-Sarasota Hearld Tribune, January 4, 1953
George Fox fell in love with Sarasota as a 10-year-old boy. His family moved from the farming town of Sanford, Florida to the “big city” in 1930, when his father became the supervisor of the celery division of Palmer Farms. The young Fox, known by his seven siblings as “Earl,” was impressed by Sarasota’s ornate downtown buildings. While a junior at Sarasota High, Fox was thrilled with his first after-school job: usher at the glamorous Florida Theater, now the Sarasota Opera House.
After serving in the Navy in World War II, George Fox had the opportunity to attend the Ringling School of Art on the GI Bill. As a student, Fox readily employed his distinctive style in intriguing watercolor paintings of his favorite Sarasota scenes. During this time, he also served on the Board of Directors of the Sarasota Art Association with artists Ben Stahl, Syd Solomon, Hilton Leech; architect Victor Lundy; and writer John D. MacDonald.
In 1953, George Fox entered a painting of the Siesta Fish Market in the “National Members Annual Show” at the Sarasota Art Association. Fox came away with the Gold Medal, while more famous contestants, Syd Solomon and Hilton Leech, settled for the Silver and the Bronze.
In 1954, George Fox accepted a position with the Art Barn & School in Salt Lake City. The following year he joined the faculty of Rowland Hall, St. Mark’s School. Fox remained in Utah and enjoyed an impressive teaching career at Rowland Hall, retiring as the chair of the Fine Arts Department in 1987.
When Fox returned to Sarasota, his talents continued to flourish. He was active in the community, and continued to create extraordinary works in all types of media. In 2012, George Earl Fox passed away at the age of 92, leaving a rich legacy for all of those who were touched by his unique gifts.
Resumé
| 1936 | Graduated from Sarasota High School, Sarasota, Florida – Art Major. |
| 1942- 1945 | Served in the US Navy. |
| 1950- 1954 | Studied at the Ringling School of Art, Sarasota, Florida. Graduated with a Fine Arts Certificate with Honors. Served on the Board of Directors of the Sarasota Art Association with artists Syd Solomon, Ben Stahl, and Hilton Leech; architect Victor Lundy; and writer John D. MacDonald. Earned numerous awards, including gold and bronze medals in national watercolor competitions, and local and state honors. Exhibited works in the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, Sarasota, and in the High Museum, Atlanta |
| 1954- 1987 | Moved to Salt Lake City, Utah for a career in Fine Arts Education, which included: Director of the Art Barn Gallery and School of Art, Salt Lake City.Art Instructor at Westminster College, Salt Lake City.Head of the Department of Fine Arts and Studio Art Instructor at Rowland Hall – St. Mark’s School, Salt Lake City, a college preparatory school for grades pre- kindergarten – 12. Judged and juried many art competitions, and presented works at numerous exhibitions, including:The Western States Invitational, University of Utah The Rocky Mountain National, Logan, Utah The Utah Institute of Fine Arts, Salt Lake City Snow College, Ephrain, Utah Weber State College, Logan, UtahServed on the Board of Trustees of the Salt Lake Art Center, and was a member of the Utah Art Educators Association. Traveled and studied in Europe during this time. |
| 1987 | Retired from teaching and returned to Sarasota, Florida. |
| 1988-1989 | Served as First Vice President of the Sarasota Art Association and Chair of the Education Committee. |
| 2012 | George Earl Fox passed away at the age of 92, leaving a rich legacy for all of those who were touched by his unique gifts. |
Recognition
“His work has already won acclaim and should certainly continue to make his name known to those followers of serious artistic enterprise.”
Syd Solomon, Artist, 1954
“George Fox’s poetic watercolors combine a sense of reality with an almost abstract pattern.”
The Salt Lake Tribune, 1955
“Gallery goers will be delighted with the works presented by George Fox.”
The Salt Lake Tribune, October 1957
“His works have been a part of the qualities of excellence exemplifying the Southeastern Annual Art Exhibition.”
The Atlanta Art Association, 1960
“Fox’s watercolors provided a tremendous asset to our premiere efforts to build a noteworthy event.”
Westminster College, Utah, 1970