Fletcher Benton
On June 26 we lost San Francisco based artist, Fletcher Benton. He was a distinguished artist and dear friend. He will be sorely missed.
Benton was a professional artist for more than 50 years, and the recipient of the lifetime achievement award from the International Sculpture Center. His teaching appointments included, the California College of Arts and Crafts, the San Francisco Art Institute, and for nearly 20 years at San Jose State University.
In 2014, Benton donated Going around the Corner with X to the de Saisset Museum, making it the museum’s first permanent outdoor sculpture. Since that time, the museum has acquired four additional works by other sculptors.
The de Saisset Museum holds an additional 15 works within its collection from Benton which includes acrylic; pencil on paper; steel with patina; painted steel; and bronze, stone, and lacquer works.
In 2015, Santa Clara University gave Benton a Doctor of Fine Arts honorary degree to mark his long-standing career as an artist.
We send our sympathy wishes to all members of the Benton family and The Fletcher Benton Studio.
Complete obiturary available here.
Image Credit: Fletcher Benton, Going Around the Corner with X, 2008, painted steel, gift of the artist, with assistance from Paula Kirkeby, in honor of William Rewak, S.J.