R.I.P. artist/educator Art Green, 1941-2025

Sadly, visual artist and educator Art Green, a member of Chicago's Hairy Who, has passed away. He'll be greatly missed.

From the University of Waterloo's Department of Fine Arts...

It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of Art Green who was part of the Fine Arts faculty from 1977 until his retirement in 2006. Anyone who had Art as an instructor will remember his kindness, quirky sense of humour, and bad (or arguably, very good) puns.

Art passed away on April 14th after a brief illness. A celebration of his life will be held in summer 2025. Since ice cream cones often appeared in Art's work (see below), his family ask that, in the meantime, please enjoy an ice cream cone in his honour.

Art Green Obituary

With heavy hearts we announce the passing of our beloved father, Arthur “Art” Nelson Green, on April 14th, 2025, after a brief illness. Art was born on May 13th, 1941 in Frankfurt, Indiana to Mabel Austelle and Edward Green. He attended the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC), earning his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1965. Soon after graduation, he joined forces with five others recent SAIC graduates to form the “Hairy Who,” an artist collective who would leave an indelible mark on the art landscape of Chicago. Watch a few Hairy Who related clips below. 

He immigrated to Canada in 1969 with his wife, Natalie, spending time in Nova Scotia, British Columbia, and Toronto before making Stratford, Ontario their home in 1979. He taught at the University of Waterloo in the Fine Arts Department for almost 30 years, serving twice as chair (1988- 1991 and 2000-2002) and receiving a distinguished Teacher Award in 1990 and emeritus status in 2006. In recognition of his achievements, in 2016, Art received an honorary doctorate of Fine Arts from The Art Institute of Chicago. He has had many solo exhibitions and his paintings are featured in the collections of major museums around the world, including the Art Institute of Chicago, National Gallery of Art (Washington, D.C.), Smithsonian American Art Museum (Washington, D.C.), and Museum Moderner Kunst (Vienna, Austria). He is represented by the Garth Greenan Gallery in New York City, NY.

Art was beloved by his family, his friends, and his many students. Beyond his artistic achievements, he was known for his unique storytelling abilities, his witty sense of humor, and his kind and gentle heart. He is survived by his children Catherine Gardner (Mark) and Nicholas Green (Clodagh), his beloved granddaughters Sophia Gardner, Feodora and Fionnuala Green; his partner Bonnie Steinman and her family; his brother Don Green (Charlotte); his sisters-in-law Nadia Leininger, Nina Minett (Charles), Karen Green, and his nieces and nephews; Ben Green (Tara), Jesse Green (Kelly), Heather Backs, Adam Green (Lisa), Stephanie Leininger Wilson, Andrea Champredonde (Serge), Charles Minett (Nicole), Arthur Minett, George Minett (Jessica), Elizabeth Minett, and their children: Imogen Green, Anodyne, Phineas, Desmond and Emmett Green, Vivian, Elliot, and Oliver Backs, Emerson and Mckinley Green, Alice, Maya, and Adelia Wilson; Sophia, Charles, Harrison and Freyja Minett; Autumn, Gabriel and William Minett; and Lyon Herzstock. He is predeceased by his wife of over 50 years, Natalie Novotny Green, his brother, Larry Green, and his parents Edward and Mabel Green.

Art was beloved by all who knew him. He was an extraordinarily wise, generous and exemplary human being as well as a truly great artist and teacher. His absence will be felt deeply - his legacy extends beyond his artistic creations to the countless ways he inspired and uplifted others, as teacher, colleague, father, and friend. Memorial donations may be made to the Gallery Stratford and the University of Waterloo Fine Arts Department. A celebration of his life will be held in summer 2025. For more information, contact the WG Young Funeral Home right here. You can view his page at the University of Waterloo Fine Arts site right here. Art Green is represented by New York's Garth Greenan Gallery and you can see more of his work on their site. Watch a few Hairy Who related clips below.