Barbara Crisler Bassett

Barbara Crisler Bassett, age 90, went home to be with the Lord on November 23, 2022. She had a vibrant personality with a deep love for her family and eager enthusiasms that included art, gardening, and travel. She is survived by two daughters, Lisa Johnston (husband Will) and Jeni Leemis (husband Ralph) and three grandchildren, Rebecca Leemis, Rachel Leemis Lamb (husband Garrett), and Nathan Leemis.

She was born in Miami, Florida, November 2, 1932 to Jane and Edmund Bacher. As a child, she lived with her grandparents in Maitland, Florida, and was later adopted by her beloved stepfather, Dr. George R. Crisler of Winter Park, Florida.

Barbara graduated from Winter Park High School and then studied at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Pratt Institute, and Parsons School of Design in New York City. She had to leave school and return to Winter Park when her mother fell ill and passed away six months later. She began working for the Winter Park Herald where she met Samuel Taylor Bassett, III, and they were married in 1957.

Barbara’s neighbor at the time pleaded with her to begin teaching art to her young daughter. That first class of neighborhood children led Barbara to a life-long love of teaching art and became the genesis of her art school, Art Workshop, which grew from a few classes in her home to a large studio in Downtown Winter Park, Florida. Art Workshop became a Winter Park institution, and Barbara was an important influence in the art community of Central Florida.

Barbara was known for her intense dedication to her students’ growth as artists. She taught all ages, but she especially loved teaching high school students, many of whom worked on competition portfolios for scholarships to art schools and won prestigious national awards. Her students have gone on to become industrial designers, graphic designers, interior designers, fashion designers, animators, and museum curators, to name a few. Her daughter Jeni is a children’s book illustrator, with New York Times bestsellers among her many published books. Barbara’s grandchildren are carrying on the tradition by creating and showing paintings and pottery in Central Florida shows.

Barbara taught art until she was 80 years old, when a stroke forced her into retirement. She never lost her joy in encouraging her students, and she continued to pursue all she could learn about current art trends and art history, almost until her last day.

Barbara’s passion for art was superseded only by her passion for Jesus Christ and for telling others of the love and redemption she had received by God’s grace. She was known for displaying Bible verses in every nook and cranny of her studio. While her life’s aim was to help students see the world in new ways, she desperately wanted to introduce them, as well, to see God through the good news of Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection.

She is now in the arms of the Maker of heaven and earth, where her artist’s soul is rejoicing forever more.

The burial will be in Winter Park, Florida, at Palm Cemetery with family attending.

A celebration of Barbara’s life for family and friends will be held at the Art and History Museums Maitland (231 West Packwood Avenue, Maitland, FL 32751) in the Germaine Marvel Building on January 12, 2023 at 2:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that any donation gifts be sent to Dallas Theological Seminary.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ForestParkLawndaleFH.com for the Bassett family.