Born: 1915-02-10
Died: 1992-09-26
Education:
1942 B.A. Maryland Institute (Pharos article says 1936, Sundial says 1942)
1950 M.A. Florida State University (the first ever given in Fine Arts at FSU)
Taught:
Associate Professor of Art 1960-1971
Notes:
- 1937-1941 Instructor of General Design at Maryland Institute
- Career interrupted by World War II
- 1946-1949 Instructor of Fine Arts at Ohio Wesleyan University (where he taught Fred Messersmith)
- 1950-1951 Assistant Professor in Fine Arts at Stephen Austin College
- Field Director with the American Red Cross during the Korean War
- Noted Artist to Visit Campus (Pharos 1954-10-14, pages 1,2)
- His avocation is the study of military uniforms and collection of miniatures
- Mr. Keester, who has exhibited his work in many national art shows, makes the following comment on art: “Do not believe art, or if you prefer, pictures, needs explanation. If the picture is meaningless to the observer, no amount
of clever talk or written explanation will make it clearer to the viewer. A design is its own excuse for existence and unless the artist communicates with the observer in isome measure through line, form, color, or symbol, the picture is a failure.” - GEORGE B. KEESTER, associate professor of art, comes from Nederland, Texas.
He received his B.A. degree (1942) from Maryland Institute and M.A. (1950) from Florida State University. Mr. Keester served as curator of the museum of the United States Naval Academy in his home town, Annapolis, Maryland, from 1952-57 before returning to the teaching field. He was previously associate professor of art at Lamar State College at Beaumont, Texas. (Sundial 1960-09, p.13)
- New Art Honorary Announced (Pharos 1961-10-10, p.1)
- Keester, Tinelli Art is Modern (Pharos 1962-10-23)
- Keester, Tinelli Display Paintings in Exhibit (Pharos 1963-10-15, p.1)
- Painted portrait of President Wallace B. Fleming, which was presented at Founders Day, Octobe4 25, 1963. (Sundial 1964-01, p.24)
- Designed specifications for an Art Center, opened in fall 1966 during the 75th anniversary celebrations. (Sundial 1966-06, p.20)
- Painted portraits of Professors William Hallam and David Reemsnyder, which were presented at Founders Day, October 21, 1966. (Sundial 1966-12, p.7)
- Keester Shows His Early Works (Pharos 1967-10-17, p.1)
- George Bennett Keester memorial on Findagrave