Noah Johnson Daily Press Attendees admire different works painted by Robert Addison at Bay College.

ESCANABA — Bay College hoste a celebration of a renowned artist who drew inspiration from the City Of Escanaba.

Robert William Addison is considered the greatest realist of the 20th century by art historians, and Bay proudly possesses the most extensive collection of his original work.

“This late realist painter, Robert Addison, would have been 100 years old this year, and we wanted to celebrate that,” said Bay College Art Faculty and Fine Arts Coordinator Kristine Granger.

Granger and Matt Shaughnessy, representatives of the Robert Addison Gallery, provided insight into Addison’s history, life, and work.

Addison originally made plans to become an architect, but things changed when he joined the army. Unfortunately, Addison suffered an injury that forced him into a lengthy recovery.

“During his recovery, he started painting, and the Red Cross sponsored an exhibit of his work, and every single painting sold, and he decided to pursue a career in the arts,” Granger explained.

This began Addison’s journey to a career as an illustrator, as he now possessed the confidence to pursue art.

Addison took his talents to the School of the Art Institute in Chicago, where he honed his skills further.

The school is also the place where he met the love of his life, Betsy Wickman Addison, who introduced him to a new inspiration, Escanaba.

Betsy lived in Escanaba, where Addison ultimately moved after they married in 1950.

Addison enjoyed painting pictures of different buildings, streets and even trees in Escanaba.

He took what he saw on a given street and turned it into masterpieces. He painted images of how the area looked at the time, including South 9th and 5th Avenue South, corners of South 7th Street and 4th Avenue South, and corners of 6th Avenue South and 9th South Street, among others.

Addison used multiple mediums throughout his career, but oil, egg tempura and acrylic were his best.

Granger said Addison was a master of his craft, excelling at demonstrating the use of light and shading.

“He shows us these incredibly beautiful buildings that are filled with the filigree of light, but to show us beauty in something that is broken is also something quite amazing that we can reach from him,” she said.

Addison, originally from Boise, Idaho, found comfort in the small-town aesthetic of Escanaba after spending time in the big City of Chicago.

“He kind of missed that, the simplicity of home. And I think that you can see that in his paintings, sort of taking a moment’s pause to see the beauty of light and shadow,” Granger said.

Following the presentation, two reproductions of Addison’s work were auctioned off, and the proceeds went towards a trip to Chicago for art club students at Bay.

Guests were then treated to a reception with food and a birthday cake in honor of Addison’s 100th birthday. They also got to look at several pieces of his work in the gallery.

Those who want to view Addison’s work but can’t make it to Bay may visit robertaddisongallery.com.

Shaughnessy compiled the site and features a digital collection of Addison’s work, biographical works, and other pertinent information.

“I’d like to thank the community for coming out for this event and then also, (I’m) grateful to Matt Shaughnessy for coming to Escanaba today to share in this celebration and be here (to) tell stories to the community members and then to thank those who purchased our work that we auctioned off for the art club students,” Granger said.