Jerry Mann- (PHS 57) ... thx to my brother Jim Kegley!

High Notes 03-27-2014 – Jerry Mann art

Jerry Mann’s senior ambition, read in the Portsmouth High School yearbook for 1957 that his ambition was to become “Editor of The Portsmouth Times”; at that time Jerry’s part time job was “Circulation clerk” at the newspaper.

That was a pretty lofty ambition for a teenager.  Did he make it?

No.

But Jerry’s innate ambition to succeed was intact as he pursued education at both Ohio University at Athens, and Ohio State University at Columbus.  Jerry has his B.S., M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees, finalizing his university education in 1967 with his doctorate at OSU.

Jerry rose to the top of his major profession, with the Eli Lilly Company, Inc., as a senior vice president, and was partially responsible for the company’s expansion into manufacturing in South America, Ireland and Europe.  At one time he was CEO of Elanco SA (South America) out of Geneva Switzerland, which he refers to as his “Best job.”  His Lilly career was from 1967 to early retirement in 1992.  His last assignment was as Managing Director of Dista, located in Liverpool, England.

Not too bad for the son of an Ideal Milk Truck route salesman, eh?

Jerry’s Dad, Urby E. Mann, and mother, Anna M. Mann, lived at 3103
Scioto Trail, Portsmouth.  Jerry’s brother, Carl, was 17-years older and graduated PHS in 1939, before going into the U. S. Army for the duration of WWII.

Jerry’s Dad, Urby, and a friend partnered as housing contractors on the side, and are responsible for constructing several houses in the area.

Jerry’s career accomplishments are truly monumental, however, Jerry’s second profession seems to be the one for which he is most vocal, and proud…he owns, operates, and is responsible for stocking an art gallery in Taos, New Mexico, and becoming an award winning “visual artist”.  He has exhibited his art around the country at National juried shows and has won various recognitions and awards.

During two consecutive years Jerry’s acrylics won “Best of Show” awards at the “East Coast Art League” show in Stuart Florida, a show that featured all kinds of art, including paintings and sculpture.

“I enjoy immensely painting with other artists and attending lectures; not just for knowledge but for the energy generated when artists come together.” He said in his website.

His internet web site is: http://www.artofmann.com

It reads:  “I began painting and studying art as a “fringe” artist while at Ohio University in the 1960s.  The subsequent pursuit of a scientific international career afforded me the exceptional opportunity to experience beauty from the jungles of Brazil to the soft gray environs of Ireland.  My paintings reflect these windows.  Still painting in Europe, Georgia and New Mexico, my main themes alternate from the villages of European life to the mountains of New Mexico to the savannas of Georgia where I currently reside.”

The Jerry Mann studio-gallery is at 136 Bent Street, one block from the Plaza, in the historical Casa Flores, which is listed on the National Registry of Historical Homes, in Taos, New Mexico.

Taos is noted for its art, and Jerry related a story about one of his fellow painter/gallery owners who said she had a painting tagged $1,700.00.   A well-dressed man wanted to buy it and made out his check for $17,000.00, and she explained the mistake and the man, disgustedly, tore up his check and left the studio. 

Jerry paints rapidly and mostly in acrylic…he says, “And I like to carry initial emotion of expression to excite and involve the viewer.  Painting is a journey of emotion and fulfillment as the work develops.  Starting with darks and cools, excitement in composition and focus becomes apparent as warms and value are added.  I don’t believe in (just) recording a subject but rather interpretation is the essential expression of my art.

Jerry and his wife, Sue Johnson, originally Minford, Ohio, have a permanent residence on St. Simons Island, Georgia.  Ms. Johnson also has her B. S. from OSU and MSc. from The University of Ireland while they lived there.  They also have a home in Taos, New Mexico.