Honoring Our Dear Friend Stephen Johnson

Hello Everyone,

We are so very sad to let you know that our dear friend and member of the Centers for so many years Steve Johnson has passed away. Steve and his partner David have been members of the Centers since 2002.

Steve’s education included a degree in photography from the USF School of Fine Arts. His commercial career was in design, and while he enjoyed creating digital designs for clients, his real passion was in applying photographic techniques to fine art applications. The phenomenal mixed media artworks he often showed in our galleries, were pure Steve. A person of few words… he expressed his outlook on life through his art. Humor, message, content, thoughtfully and impeccably presented. Steve said he wanted to make his viewers FEEL. “Love it or hate it… just don’t ignore it.”

Steve was so very kind and considerate to everyone he met. I recall one fall he was teaching digital design at our Old 41 campus. He and the students were critiquing each other’s work. I heard him thoughtfully intro the critique session, letting students know how critiques in art studios ‘work’, how ideas are discussed—thoughtfully, not personally, no ‘likes’ or ‘dislikes’. Talk about the message, share ideas and possibilities. Listening to him as I was working on the other side of the room, I smiled, thinking what a terrific learning experience for his young students—this quiet, articulate artist, sharing his gift. 

There will be a Celebration of Life at the Center for Visual Arts, 26100 Old 41 Road, on Sunday, November 13, 2-4pm. Light refreshments will be served, and a curated collection of Steve’s artwork will be on display.

David, Steve’s best friend, husband and partner of 44 years, has chosen to create a Scholarship Fund in Steve’s honor. Select artwork will be available for a designated, deductible charitable contribution to the Centers—proceeds dedicated to Steve’s Scholarship Fund. You may also donate to Steve’s fund by contacting the Centers 239.495.8989.

To RSVP for November 13, please email [email protected] and provide your first and last name for our guest list.

Steve meant so much to so many people. His death was sudden and a shock to all of us. Everyone will miss him greatly.

Yours respectfully,

Susan A. Bridges
President