Dennison Ward Griffith

Dennison “Denny” Ward Griffith died peacefully in Columbus, Ohio, surrounded by family, on January 18. He was born in Delaware, Ohio, on October 22, 1952, son of Floyd Rolland Griffith and Sally Kreidler Griffith. Denny earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Ohio Wesleyan University in 1974 and a Master of Fine Arts from The Ohio State University in 1994. In 1987, Denny married the love of his life, Beth Fisher, a partnership that would profoundly impact Columbus’ creative community. A life-long artist, Denny’s professional career took him to Akron and Portsmouth before he settled in Columbus, where he spent ten years in various administrative roles at the Columbus Museum of Art before being named Columbus College of Art & Design’s third president in 1998. During his sixteen years at CCAD, Denny led a historic period of growth, doubling the campus facilities, launching the Master of Fine Arts program, expanding the exhibitions program to include contemporary art, and establishing the Mind Market, connecting CCAD with the business community. He served on numerous boards, including The Columbus Partnership, Experience Columbus, and the National Association of Schools of Art & Design. Among his many honors, Denny recently received the Spirit of Columbus Award from The Columbus Foundation. Alongside his administrative career, Denny maintained a vigorous commitment to his work as an artist. His work has been included in more than 100 group and solo exhibitions domestically and abroad. Denny was preceded in death by his father. He is survived by his wife, Beth Fisher, of Bexley; son, Blake Fisher, of Raleigh, NC; mother, Sally Griffith, of Black Mountain, NC; brother, Tom Griffith (Beth), of Seattle, WA; sister, Anne Barrus (Gib), of Burnsville, NC; nieces, Gracie Barrus and Lucia Parker; nephews, Zach and Ty Griffith; and great nephew, Hayden Parker. Please join Denny’s family and CCAD in celebrating his life at the Canzani Center, 60 Cleveland Ave., at the corner of Gay St., from 4-7PM on Friday, January 22. Donations in his honor may be made to CCAD’s Griffith Faculty Excellence Fund, 60 Cleveland Ave, Columbus, OH 43215, or www.ccad.edu/dennysfund. Arrangements by Schoedinger Midtown Chapel. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the family at www.schoedinger.com.