Cranbrook Mourns the Passing of Tony Hepburn

Bloomfield Hills, Mich., January 8, 2015 – Cranbrook Academy of Art mourns the passing of Tony Hepburn – artist, educator and dear friend of the Academy. Hepburn served as Artist-in-Residence and head of the Ceramics Department at the Academy from 1992 through 2008.

Hepburn passed away at his home in Chicago, Illinois, on January 5, 2015.

He was a beloved mentor to many students during his tenure, as evidenced by the touching tribute crafted by Paul Kotula who represented Hepburn later in his career through his gallery, Paul Kotula Projects.

“Tony Hepburn engendered hundreds of students that will continue his legacy through their work, writing and teaching,” says Kotula. “He had an uncanny ability to know each of us before we knew ourselves.  He was brilliant, sometimes frighteningly so, but our understanding of who we are and what art could be perpetually pushes us forward.”

Kotula crafted a very detailed account of Hepburn’s extensive career, which can be read in its entirety here. Hepburn’s contributions to the field of Ceramics were wide-reaching, earning him not only the respect of his peers and students, but also awards from The American Craft Council (2008), The Virginia Groot Foundation (1991), the New York State Council on the Arts (1986/1990) and the National Endowment for the Arts (1985).  His work is included in numerous public collections around the world, from the Icheon World Ceramic Center in Gyeonggi-do, South Korea, to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

Hepburn is survived by his daughter Laura Hepburn-Para, son-in-law Kevin Para, granddaughter Elsa Milani and grandson Keegan Rawlins and daughter Abigail Kraft, son-in-law Steven Kraft and grandsons Oliver and Augustus Kraft.

Funeral Services will take place at The Episcopal Church, Hammondsport, New York on Monday, January 12 at 11am. For further information, contact LeMarche Funeral Home, 35 Main Street, Hammondsport, NY 14840, (607) 569-2174.

A memorial for Tony Hepburn will take place in Detroit this spring. Details will be announced as soon as they become available.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the following funds:

Tony Hepburn Scholarship in Ceramics at Cranbrook Academy of Art
Pauline Hepburn Ceramics Travel Fund at Cranbrook Academy of Art

Gifts should be sent to:
Cranbrook Academy of Art Development Office
P.O. Box 801
39221 Woodward Avenue
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48303

Checks should note the Scholarship Fund or the Travel Fund.  For more information, call (248) 645-3214.

Donations may also be made to:
Midwest Palliative and Hospice Care Center
2050 Claire Court
Glenview, IL 60025
carecenter.org

“Tony Hepburn was a true visionary and leader within the field,” says Chris Scoates, Director of Cranbrook Academy of Art and Art Museum. “His vision helped to make our Ceramics studio one of the most advanced in the country.  And his mentorship encouraged students to remain confident in their craft as they spread his teachings around the world. This is a tremendous loss for the Academy, and he will be missed.”