The headline on Page 1 Wednesday called Harry Hart an “Emporia treasure.” That he was.
For decades, Harry was at the center of the promotion of everyday art in the community and he taught hundreds of people — children and adults — to do their own art, whether it was painting or stained glass. He was a one-man arts program.
After he retired from the school district, Harry just seemed to pick up speed. The time he had spent going from school to school around the district, delighting children as he lured them into art, was devoted to other things — more work at the arts council, volunteering at Newman hospital. He was always busy.
Harry’s work was not limited to canvases, paper and glass. His remodeling of classrooms around the district provided bright, stimulating learning environments for Emporia’s children. At the Gazette, we still treasure a couple of his projects — the impressionistic, sepia street scenes of old Emporia, painted on the walls of the hallway and the brightly colored jungle scene painted on the walls of the elevator. Harry believed art belongs everywhere, and his work proved it.
Harry was no dilletante. He accomplished so much in his life because he was an artist with a Kansas farmer’s work ethic. His bright ideas were turned into real art by his own hard work.
But Harry was more than a hard worker and an art whiz. What made him special to his friends was his personality. He was smart and kind and had a sense of humor that was at once warm and wry. He was always good company.
Now that he is dead, how can Emporians honor Harry Hart?
We can keep doing what he always told us to do — enjoy art, do art, be art.
And always — have fun.
Patrick S. Kelley
Editorial Page Editor