Art museum remembers late fine arts dean

 by Sasha Malekooti
 published on Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Photo Courtesy of Mike Willard

LIVING ON THROUGH ART: Former fine arts dean Jules Heller stands in front of one of his works of art at an exhibition at the Cattle Track Gallery.

The Nelson Fine Arts Center transformed into a building of remembrance on Saturday to honor Jules Heller, the former ASU dean of fine arts who passed away on Dec. 28, 2007.

"He was a renaissance man and a galvanizing force for the arts," said Anthony Davis, a professor of the music school at the University of California, at San Diego.

A number of speakers, including family members and former colleagues, took to the podium to remember Heller and his life-long dedication to the arts during the event organized by the ASU Art Museum. A special preview of a documentary on Heller was shown, and the service ended with a musical performance by Davis.

Jean Makin, print collection manager at the ASU Art Museum, collaborated with Heller's family to organize the service that was attended by friends, relatives and colleagues from around the country.

Heller served as the fine arts dean at ASU from 1976 to 1985 and remained on the faculty until 1990.

While at ASU, Heller maintained several roles within the University. He was also the chairman of the School of Art and remained a professor throughout his career, committed to educating students about art, Makin said.

When Heller began his career at ASU, the art department was in its initial stages, but with his help and dedication, it advanced to a professional level, Makin said.

In addition to being an educator and arts administrator, Heller was also a pioneering artist and author. He specialized in printmaking, the process of creating artwork by printing, and gave new life to the antiquated method by creating unique and distinctive works, said Joe Segura, one of the creators of the documentary.

Heller wrote diverse books about printmaking and influenced several generations of artists. Some of his writings are still currently being used as student textbooks and basic manuals, Makin said.

"Jules strived to install the sense of exploration in the minds of those he encountered," Makin said. "He believed in the idea of being free to try something different in search of one's own artwork."

Heller was honored with the Southern Graphics Council's Printmaker Emeritus Award in 1999, the College Art Association's 1995 Distinguished Teaching of Art Award, and a Fulbright Fellowship.

He was also the founding dean of fine arts at Pennsylvania State University and York University in Toronto, Canada.

Reach the reporter at: sasha.malekooti@asu.edu.