STLCC-Meramec celebrates the illustration and artwork of late illustration teacher, Bill Vann.
By: Alex Kendall
-Managing Editor-
Almost a year has passed since William Van Hoogstraat, known to his friends, colleagues and students as Bill Vann, passed away at the age of 71 on Dec. 5, 2011. In remembrance of Vann and his work for STLCC-Meramec and his career as an illustrator, graphic communication professor Bob Shay hosted some of Vann’s original artwork in the Meramec Gallery.
“What makes [Vann’s work] remarkable in my eye is that he had no fear. There was no job he was ever afraid of,” Shay said. “His versatility was amazing.”
The gallery features numerous pieces from various points in Vann’s career from sports illustrations, black and white line work, and advertisements created for local and national companies.
“He could do anything,” Shay said. “He did McDonalds boxes, Pepsi cola, Coca-Cola. You name the product he did something for it.”
Shay, a long time friend and colleague of Vann’s, first met Vann in 1971 at his studio on the sixth floor of the Railway exchange building in downtown Saint Louis.
“His line work was exquisite. He was one of the best. I would see his stuff in the newspaper when I was young and I would say ‘Oh man I want to meet this guy!’ and I did,” Shay said.
After Vann’s death, Shay visited his studio. As he went through Vann’s artwork, Shay said he began to catalog the hundreds of pieces that he had in there.
“Bill cataloged everything he did. He has thousands and thousands of transparencies and slides. The man was the most organized man I have ever met.”
As Shay went through Vann’s studio, he discovered an unfinished project on his drawing board.
“When he died, he had an illustration on his drawing board that I finished for him. I didn’t really do much; he had it drawn out. All I did was put the color in. It was an illustration for a big company out of Chicago and there were twenty-three caricatures he had done. Twenty-three. I called them after Bill died and said ‘did you still want this’ and they said ‘yes we do’,” Shay said. “It was bittersweet working on his [final] piece.”
Doug Ross, a student of Vann’s and a long time friend, received a surprise at the gallery opening that he thought he would never see again. Ross attended Vann’s illustration class for about ten years, only missing one day. For an assignment, Ross dressed himself as an old sea captain and photographed himself as a template to paint during class.
“Bill saw the photograph and said can I paint that for a demo and I said sure never knowing that I would get the original.”
As a student, Ross said that Vann had the patience for questions and knowledge and expertise to show you the answer instead of simply just telling you.
“[I respect his] willingness to be so open, Bill would give you a positive 45 minute step by step way of doing it and that’s what was so wonderful about Bill he was so gracious and so willing to open up. He would share his soul willingly and that’s just the way he was,” Ross said. “I would hit one of those points where I was stuck and Bill would come by and put his hand on my shoulder and say ‘Hey you know Doug, I’m expecting a lot more out of you and I know you can do it’ and that’s just the way he was an encouraging instructor.”
The future of Vann’s work looks to continue as Shay and Vann’s family are working with licensers in Saint Louis to market Vann’s work, especially his sports art.
“This is our philosophy ‘Nothing extraordinary happens from nine to five everyday because you have to live your life. It’s what you do during you free time, your personal time. That is going to define you as a creative. If I find you working at midnight on a Saturday night while all the other guys are out partying and clubbing and smoking dope and drinking, and you’re drawing, you’re going to go someplace,’” Shay said.
The exhibit and reception are free and open to the public.
Gallery hours are 10 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday.
With the help of Zak Zych, Shay put together a tribute video that can be viewed here.
View the original memorial here.
