All of us here at the Southwest School of Art & Craft join the many in San Antonio who mourn the loss of Regis Shephard, a great friend to our artists, faculty, staff and students. Regis died on Tuesday, July 27th at the age of 39.
Regis always had such a strong visual voice, and his art consistently addressed many important issues, both personal and global. I worked with him several times over the past decade. In our 2009 Texas Draws exhibition, Regis exhibited a triptych that dealt with his first brush with death and, in our 2002 exhibition Lines Drawn, he showcased a series of drawings responding to the 9/11 tragedy by addressing racial stereotyping. When I curated an exhibition at the New Zealand tribal university, Te Whare Wananga O Awanuiarangi, it was a moment of cultural symbiosis to introduce his works to an entirely new audience.
Regis excelled as an educator, bringing his students to our school and engaging them with the power of art. We will miss his passion and voice, but remember our heartfelt connections with such a kind, genuine, and honest soul.
Image: Death and The Endless Possibility: Self-Study, 2009, ink on canvas, 48″ x 36″
San Antonio Express-News Obituary
San Antonio Current memorial article by Sarah Fisch
Thanks so much for making this voice file accessible…so nice to hear him one more time. If only we could get ONE MORE of those signature Regis hugs, we’d ALL feel better.
Regis was a great mentor for many artists, young and old. He will be sorely missed in our community.
I just wish SA had realized just how special he is before he died.