Joseph R. Hertzi
Birth Date: 1932
Death Date: 2018
Artist Gallery
JOSPEH HERTZI’S life in his own words is a grand adventure. Born in 1932 in Akron, Ohio, this ‘adventure’ probably started at birth. His parents, a father from Austria-Hungary and mother from Germany had five children. Joe grew up in a house of music. His father, who was an engineer, played the trumpet in his spare time. Joe first showed artistic talent in the third grade when he found he liked to draw airplanes and dinosaurs, but his attention was captured by football in high school. Two teachers insisted he attend the Akron Art Institute School, from which he graduated in 1954 with BFA degree. Two years later, he entered Ohio State for graduate courses in art education, followed by a MFA from Kent State in 1959. During his years of schooling, Joe worked as a display person at the Polsky Department Store and held a job at the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. Those jobs paid his tuition in college and graduate schools. In 1956, Joe Hertzi and Judi Harmon were married. That same year, he joined the Canton Art Institute as Education Director. Joe was appointed Assistant Director in 1962; his modest and quiet friendliness appealed to all who met and worked with him. In 1977 Joe was appointed Director. Joe was especially talented in hanging and hosting exhibits, so it was no surprise that he became Curator of Exhibits when retiring as Director in 1988. Those who know Joe Hertzi always speak fondly of him. This is best summed up by Thomas Horner, friend and former CMA Board President, when he said, Joe Hertzi is one of those few people one meets during a lifetime who is truly warm and caring, not only about his family, but others as well. He shares his knowledge and love of art with many and his creative talent is reflected in his own work. His warm, outgoing manner radiates his inner self. Joe is a loyal and selfless friend and someone that is remembered for his best qualities.