AMSET is excited to present the first survey of Harry Ahysen’s work since his passing in 2006. Ahysen (1928-2006) was born in Port Arthur, Texas, the son of Harry J. and Lillian May Witherup Ahysen. He lived most of his life in Texas before moving to Washington Court House, Ohio. He was a graduate of the University of Houston and received an MFA from the University of Texas. He retired from his full professor position in 1994 from Sam Houston State University (Huntsville, TX) after teaching for 31 years in the art department. He held the title of Distinguished Professor Emeritus and was the first Professor of Art to be awarded the title. Following his retirement, he taught at Southern State Community College (Hillsboro, OH) from 1994 to 1995.

The 67th Legislature of Texas named Ahysen “State Artist of Texas” in 1980. He is also one of ten official Coast Guard artists and seven of his works are a part of the Coast Guard Collection. He has more than a dozen murals in various locations throughout Fayette County, Ohio, and his art can be found in museums and collections around the world. In addition to his artistic achievements, Ahysen was a talented musician. He played trumpet with the Harry James’ Band and traveled extensively with the band during the mid-1940s. For many years, he was a member of the Washington Court House local community band and served as a bugler with the Honor Guard of the Veterans of Fayette Co. He was also a veteran of the United States Navy and served during the Korean Conflict. He was a member of Paul H. Hughey Post #25 of the American Legion, as well as the Veterans of Fayette Co. Honor Guard.

This exhibition will include landscapes and seascapes drawn from private collections and institutions throughout Texas. A section of the exhibition will be devoted to showcasing Ahysen’s compositions featuring ships and ports. A free gallery guide handout with an essay by Donna Tennant, art critic for the Houston Chronicle, Arts and Culture Texas, Visual Art Source (LA) and Glasstire, will be available to the public.