Hallway Gallery – Theatre, December 1 – February 28
Ted Barr (born 1940 in Providence, Rhode Island) was a painter and a musician who navigated life making art his number one priority. A painting major at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), he developed an early foundation in color, form, and composition that would remain central to his paintings and drawings.
Alongside his work as a visual artist, Ted had a deep and enduring passion for music. He played guitar and piano and became an active presence in local blues bands of Ashland Oregon where he settled in the 70s. His soulful playing led him to share the stage with legendary musicians — including opening for John Lee Hooker, Robert Cray, and other notable blues artists.
In the late 1960s Ted became involved with East Totem West, the influential Mill Valley, California poster and art design collective known for its psychedelic imagery and its role in shaping the countercultural aesthetic of the era. His time there reflected his openness to experimentation and his desire to be part of a vibrant and imaginative artistic community where he met his wife and mother of his only daughter.
Ted felt a connection to Ireland as he traveled there after getting kicked out of RISD but returned to Providence to graduate in 1967. Later in life his work inspired by the colors, culture, and spirit of Mexico.
Though he lived simply and spent many years working as a janitor and groundskeeper for the shakesprean festival, Ted approached life with humility, independence, and an unwavering devotion to creativity. He poured his heart into his art and music, building a body of work that ended only when he passed away at 59 in Ashland, Oregon.
Ted Barr is remembered for his sincerity, integrity and the soulful beauty he brought to his work.