Scholarship to be established in memory of W. Ralph Murray

As reported in The Waterville Times , students and friends of the late W. Ralph Murray are establishing an art award in his honor, to be given to two graduating seniors. Donations to the fund can be made out to Waterville Central School and sent to Gail Gale, 1600 State Route 12, Waterville NY 13480

About W. Ralph Murray

Waterville students who attended school from 1956-1966 had the distinct privilege of having Ralph as their art teacher. Although he continued his public teaching career in West Winfield, may other local residents came to know Ralph's dedication to his students and gift for teaching. In addition to teaching in public school Ralph also at Mohawk Valley Community College, Rome Community and Art Center, Munson Williams Proctor School of Art, Utica, Kirkland Art Center, the Cooperstown Art Association, and at his private residence.

Those who spoke at Mr. Murray's memorial service overwhelmingly remembered Ralph not for his artistic accomplishments but for his upright character, dedication to his students, and as a caring, compassionate individual. This is not to say his accomplishments can be overlooked.

Ralph was known and recognized regionally as well as nationally. His paintings were shown in the Cooperstown National and Regional Exhibitions, The Adirondack National Exhibition of American Watercolors in Old Forge, New York, the Watercolor Today at the Creative Workshop in New Haven, Connecticut, The Kent Art Association, Connecticut, the Batavia National Exhibition, Batavia, New York, the Baltimore Watercolor Society Shows, Baltimore, Maryland, the Southern Vermont Art Center National Exhibitions, Manchester, Vermont and the New York State Fair where he was awarded the State Purchase Prize in 1976 and 1978. (http://wralphmurray.com/about)

Ralph was featured on the Watercolor Page in the October 1991 issue of the American Artist magazine. One-man shows were held at the Art Centers in Clinton, Rome, Old Forge, SUNY of Oneonta, the Gallery at Jamaica, Vermont, the Laighton Gallery in Schenectady, NY, the Schweinfurth Art Center in Auburn, NY, the Canajoharie Art Gallery, NY, Elizabethtown College, Pennsylvania, SUNY Institute of Technology, Utica/Rome, the Cooperstown Pioneer Gallery, The Cooperstown Art Association, the Associated Artists of Syracuse, the Jane Isabella Gallery in Johnstown, New York and three one-man shows at The Southern Vermont Art Center in Manchester, Vermont. (http://wralphmurray.com/about)

Ralph annually donated two paintings to be raffled to provide scholarship awards to graduating art students. The establishment of this fund will be a continuation of his legacy of generosity. Donations can be made out to Waterville Central School and sent to Gail Gale, 1600 State Route 12, Waterville NY 13480