About Us

In Memoriam

Gordon Wetmore

1938-2011

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Founder and Board Chairman, Gordon Wetmore. Gordon leaves behind the legacy of passion, for his own art, for helping others develop their talent and for his family. He was a true leader and influenced the resurgence of representational art in America. Gordon had a way of making you feel as though he had known you for years. He was the face of the Portrait Society and had a Southern Charm that welcomed members into our Portrait Family. His had an extraordinary gift of being able to easily relate and communicate with people. He will be remembered as a great man, a wonderful artist and a visionary.

Gordon attended The Art Students League in New York. He was a member of the Artist’s Fellowship of New York, the Oil Painters of America and served on the board of Overseers of Opera Boston. He was the founding Chairman of the Portrait Society of America.

He created over 700 portraits of distinguished subjects including: President Richard M. Nixon, Jack Nicklaus, Fred Couples, Dr. and Mrs. Norman Vincent Peale, Leon Uris, Princess Grace, Prince Rainier and Prince Albert of Monaco. His artwork hangs in the collections of the White House, the Royal Palace of Monaco, the Knessett in Jerusalem, the Hunter Museum of American Art, Harvard, Duke, Emory, and Northwestern Universities, as well as UNC Chapel Hill and the University of Texas in Houston, Texas. His artwork has been published in Promised Land, with text by noted author Leon Uris and Israeli statesman Abba Eban. Ireland - Portrayed by Gordon Wetmore, with text by the artist and a foreword by Princess Grace of Monaco was published in 1980. Gordon Wetmore's Prayers for Boys and Girls was published in 1986. In 2004, Vanishing Kingdoms, with 20 portraits by Wetmore and text by Ambassador Walter J.P. Curley, was published in Ireland by Lilliput Press.

Gordon passed away on August 25, 2011, shortly after being diagnosed with exremely rare Prion diease. He is survived by his wife, Connie, and three daughters, Amy, Alexandra and Abigail. Funeral arrangements are by Chattanooga Funeral Home, East Chapel.

You can make donations to a legacy scholarship fund (at left) established in Gordon's name. We welcome your comments, stories, photos or experiences on our Facebook page. If you would like to send your condolences to the family, we will be forwarding correspondence addressed as below to the Wetmore family:

Wetmore Family

c/o Portrait Society of America

P.O. Box 11272

Tallahassee, FL 32302

We are all grateful for knowing Gordon and benefiting from his passion for his art and the Portrait Society.

In Memoriam

Calvin Goodman

1922-2011

Calvin J. Goodman, influential mentor to artists and advisor to arts organizations, died in Los Angeles on August 17th, 2011 of natural causes. Known for his insight into the thoughts that motivate an artist, Goodman had an uncanny ability to help creative spirits discover and connect with the audience their work would speak to.

Among Goodmans unique contributions was his Art Marketing Handbook, a virtual bible for artists and art dealers addressing every aspect of its subject from gallery design to contracts, pricing, sales presentations, and professional ethics for artists a special interest of the author. American Artist called the volume, now in its 7th edition, a most valuable guide for anyone serious about making a living with art.

Goodman long advised Artists Equity and was a founding member and served on the Advisory Board of the Portrait Society of America. He was the only non-artist to serve on its board. A prolific writer, Goodman contributed articles regularly to American Artist, Southwest Art, and Artist Magazine.

Besides his son, Goodman is survived by his daughter Shelley Adler, nine grandchildren including the well known novelist Allegra Goodman, and twenty great grandchildren. Goodman was buried with his wife of 65 years in Hillside Cemetery in Los Angeles. Contributions may be made to Friends of Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design, Jerusalem, or to the Synagogue of your choice.

For additional information, please contact:

Lenn E. Goodman

(615) 383-0452 or 343-31548 or 870-9721

Lenn.E.Goodman@vanderbilt.edu