Before retiring from 30 years of teaching art at the end of this school year, Goshen College Professor of Art, John Blosser, has offered a retrospective exhibit of his artwork done throughout his career.

Blosser, who graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in art and art education from Goshen College in 1970, went on to get a masters in painting and drawing from Bowling Green State University in Ohio in 1979. He then earned a masters of the fine arts in drawing from Arizona State University in Tempe, Ariz. in 1986 before he returned to join the Goshen College art faculty in 1999.

In his artist’s statement, Blosser wrote, “Like life, a retrospective show is the sum total of many days of engagement in life, thoughtful and critical reflection, hard work and a touch of good fortune.”

His work include pieces from his early art school experiences, and his various travels to Zambia, Canada, Ohio, Arizona and Goshen, Ind. “The obvious variation in styles, media and approaches bears witness to my periodic need to explore new directions in my art, which at least obliquely references my life experiences of the time,” he wrote.

Merrill Kraybill, art department chair, encourages people to go see the show. He said, “It will be hard to replace [Blosser], he’s worked tirelessly in the last 12 years.”

Students and faculty are happy for his contributions to the campus and classrooms. Lindsay Miller, senior psychology major and art minor said, “He’s a great professor and it’s unfortunate that new students won’t have the opportunities to take many classes with him, but I am happy for him.” Another senior art major, Ingrid Derstine, said, “He knows an incredible amount of people, and he always makes a connection that makes you feel comfortable in his classroom.”

Randy Horst, associate professor of art, said, “What I appreciate most about John’s work is his ability to take places and endow them with a strong sense of mystery, giving it a spiritual reality that most of us miss. You get a sense something special is happening and he’s encouraging us to stop and take notice.”

Blosser’s art is a representation of his life so far, and he wrote that he often finds himself now imagining and scheming for the next phase of his life.

This exhibit is displayed at the Hershberger Art Gallery in the Music Center till Oct. 24.