This is Harry Messersmith"s first year as a featured artist
for the 10th Annual DeLand Fall Festival of the Arts. However, he
is no novice to the forum of artistic recognition. Volusia county
locals may recognize his sculpture entitled See, the rocking
facial silhouette outside the DeLand Muesum of Art, or the bronze
eagle for pinnacle Bank in Orange City. Regardless, Messersmith has
a long-standing reputation with the city of DeLand and central Florida
for pushing the artistic envelope.
Perhaps, his love for art developed as a child. Harry's father, Fred
Messersmith, served as the art department chair for Stetson University
from 1959 - 1989. He created the Duncan Art Gallery at a time when
no one asociated the university with artistic merit.
In 1977, Harry studied at Stetson University's art department under
the influence of his father. Cermics instructor Dan Gunderson began
his first year as a Stetson professor during Messersmith's freshman
year. It was the enthusiasm of Gunderson that persuaded Harry Messersmith
to pursue three-dimensional sculpture.
After receiving his Bachelor of Art from Stetson University in 1981,
Messersmith earned a Master's Degree of art from University of Florida,
Gainesville under J.G. Naylor in 1983. Messersmith then became an
art teacher for Volusia County public schools for three years, teaching
also at Stetson University, Daytona Beach Community College, Crealde
School of Art Winter Park, the Harris House, and the Atlantic Center
for the Arts.
Putting his teaching career on hold, Messersmith became the executive
director of the DeLand Arts Center from 1988 - 1995. It was during
this time period where Messersmith and co-inspirer Maureen France,
the former executive director of Main Street DeLand, birthed the idea
of a fall festival in DeLand for artists to show their work. A decade
in the making, these two founders are proud to create such a successful,
enjoyable event for the city of DeLand.
Currently, Messersmith teaches art again for University of Central
Florida in Orlando, an adjunct professor since 1996.
