Artist Bio
Richard Mittelstadt's lifelong interest in art began with a childhood fascination for drawing and mechanical design. Originally envisioning a career in architecture, his direction changed when his older sister encouraged him to explore college art courses. That encouragement sparked a passion that would shape his professional and creative life.
Richard earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Art Education in 1969 and a Master's degree in Studio Art in 1970, concentrating on printmaking and jewelry making. During his 38-year teaching career, primarily at Rosemount High School in Minnesota, he continued creating, exhibiting, and selling watercolor paintings.
His dedication to art education extended well beyond the classroom. He was recognized as Minnesota Art Educators Secondary Teacher of the Year in 2000 and received the Distinguished Service Within the Profession Award in 2008. Throughout his career and retirement, Richard has served in numerous leadership positions with professional art education associations and nonprofit arts organizations, contributing to curriculum development, exhibitions, conferences, and arts advocacy.
Following retirement, Richard transitioned from representational watercolor painting to abstract and non-objective acrylic compositions, embracing greater artistic freedom and experimentation. His paintings have appeared in numerous solo and juried group exhibitions and have received multiple awards.
Today, Richard continues exploring new artistic possibilities, drawing inspiration from nature, imagination, and the endless relationships between color, shape, and form. His lifelong commitment to art reflects both the joy of creating and a dedication to enriching the artistic experiences of others.