HETConnect Studios

Exquisite Expressions

Richard Ward received his BFA and Art Education Certification from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) in May of 1982. During his tenure at SAIC, he explored traditional and contemporary ideas of painting with George Liebert and Emilio Cruz respectively. Ward also took courses in painting, materials and methods with Frank Piatek which proved to be truly eye opening experiences. Equally as influential, were the many mature practicing artists who would frequent the historic Southside Community Arts Center. Individuals such as Mr. Bill Walker and Mr. Mitch Caton, who were active muralists in Chicago, did their share to counsel and inspire a very young Ward to be, not only creative, but tenacious in his development.

In 1986, Richard relocated to Washington, D.C. where he continued to teach art full time for the D.C. public school system as well as design programs for the Smithsonian’s Resident Assoc. Program, D.C. Art Works and the Children’s Studio School to name a few. In 1995, he decided to return to graduate school at Howard University were he completed the MFA program in 1997 while earning the distinction of magna cum laude. During the 13 years that Ward lived and worked in Washington, D.C., he was actively engaged throughout the D.C. Metropolitan area creating murals and contracting with a variety of Arts organizations such as the Smithsonian’s Resident Associates Program, D.C. Arts Work, the Sign of the Times and For the Love of Children. During that time he also taught art for D.C. Public Schools from 1978 until 1995 and the Washington D.C. Children’s Studio School from 1997 until 1999.

Since relocating to Hampton Roads in 1999, Richard Ward has been most active in the arts community. He has exhibited his award winning works in various local exhibitions and competitions at the Rawls Museum Arts, the Suffolk Museum the Peninsula Fine Arts Center and the Courthouse Gallery. He has had a number of different paintings selected to be exhibited in group shows in the cities of Daegu and Seoul, South Korea.

In addition to his studio work, Richard Ward is the Artistic Director of Arts in Action Authenticated (AAA). AAA is an artist run – artist facilitated youth development program that uses art, life experiences and 30 plus years of teaching experiences to work with adolescent and young adults to encourage their development as individuals.

Artist's Bio