Richard Allen Johnson

Born and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Richard received a BFA in painting from the Minneapolis School of Art and Design and an MFA in painting from Washington University in St Louis Missouri. He then was awarded the prestigious Prix de Rome Fellowship in painting at the American Academy in Rome, Italy.

Going forward, Richard would share his passion for art with many students, teaching at East Texas State University and Indiana University from 1968-1975.

He found his true home in New Orleans and at the University of New Orleans in 1978 and began a 38 year career there, serving as Chairman of the Fine Arts Department twice during his tenure. Richard saw the potential in his students, nurturing and guiding many to remarkable careers of their own.

Richard was known for developing an abstract illusionist style of painting, using both painting and collage.

He showed at galleries around the country and was represented locally by Galerie Simmone Stern from 1978 until its closing in 2002. He was then represented by Cole Pratt Gallery. Richard’s works are in collections around the United States and internationally including The Whitney Museum of American Art, The British Museum, the New Orleans Museum of Art and the Ogden Museum of Southern Art. He was commissioned by Roger Ogden to paint a large piece he named Between the River and the Lake for the opening of the museum.

In 1981, Richard was the Artist-In-Residence for the Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art, sponsored by the Rockefeller Foundation. He was honored as Artist of the Year by the Contemporary Arts Center in 1986, received the Delgado Award from the New Orleans Museum of Art in 2002 and was honored in 2013 at NOMA’s Love in the Garden as an artist whose work and life made a contribution to the city of New Orleans.

In an artist’s statement, he once wrote, “In the end, however, I paint because I need to; I always hope the paintings are successful enough to compel the viewer to take a second look”. He accomplished that goal and then some.

Richard is survived by his wife of 22 years, Barbara (Babs) Johnson, his daughter, Stephanie Johnson of Charleston, SC and his step-children, Kathryn Arner (Chris) of Middletown, RI, Emily Durant (Devon) of Philomath, OR and John Kimble (Adam Banks) of New York, NY and his Mother-in-Law, Dorothy Bryant of New Orleans. He is also survived by his seven grandchildren, Weldon Arner, Graham Arner, Blaire Durant, Maya Durant, August Durant, Adrian Banks and Amari Banks. His sister Nancy Renner and brother-in-law Ted of Marietta, GA also survive him.

We would like to thank Dr Randy Rossignol, Dr Salvador Caputto, Charlene Bland, Concerned Care Hospice, Keyfe Marshall, Nikki Stein and Janet Walker for their dedicated and compassionate care.

A celebration of his life will be held in the Spring at the University of New Orleans.

Contributions to the UNO Foundation may be made in Richard’s name to establish a Student Fund for the Fine Arts Department. 2021 Lakeshore Drive, Suite 420, NOLA 70122.