Clifford Harvey, founder of the graphic design program in the West Virginia University School of Art & Design, and professor emeritus of art, died Monday, Sept. 16, after a long illness. Harvey retired from the College of Creative Arts in 2005, but his legacy will never be forgotten, especially by his friends at the Creative Arts Center and his former students.

“The College of Creative Arts family is truly saddened by Cliff’s passing,” said Dean Paul Kreider. “It is clear from the outpouring of messages that Cliff impacted the lives of many students and friends at WVU. His legacy at WVU’s School of Art and Design will last forever. Our sympathy goes out to his family and close friends.”

Harvey came to WVU in 1973 to found the graphic design program at the Creative Arts Center, after earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Minneapolis College of Art and Design and working for the Control Data Corporation.

Harvey’s contributions to the WVU Graphic Design program were immeasurable. Along with his many achievements, he oversaw the integration of electronic media into the program and established standards which fostered a near 100 percent placement rate for graphic design students in the profession.

He led the program for three decades, setting up a modern graphic design studio using Macintosh computers at the CAC in the mid-1980s.

He was known for his love of letterpress printing. Even after the program began using computers, he continued to teach the art of fine printing and the book arts because he felt it was important for students not to lose touch with their heritage and sense of craft. Since then, the book arts have enjoyed a rebirth in many institutions.

Harvey was nationally known for his work with the GramLee Collection of Early American Commercial Wood Engravings, one of the largest single collections of 19th century American wood engravings known in the United States today. The collection is owned by the WVU School of Art & Design.

After printing and researching the engravings, Harvey completed a private-press book about the GramLee Collection titled “Before Rosebud Was a Sled: Commercial Wood Engraving in America Seen Through the GramLee Collection.” The book examines the art of woodblock engraving in the United States and how it evolved during the 19th and 20th centuries. It has been in numerous exhibitions and is in the collections of major universities and museums across the United States.

In 2002, Harvey set up an exchange program between the School of Art & Design and the Universdad de Guanajuato in Mexico. The three-week summer program gave graphic design students the opportunity to experience the art, design, architecture and culture of Mexico while completing photography and design projects.

Harvey had a passion for dogs, both in the show ring and as personal companions. He was instrumental in the development of two dog parks in Morgantown, Stanley’s Spot and Krepps Dog Park. He and his wife, Carol, established Dog Tags Training School in 1994, which still is in business today.

Harvey is survived by his loving wife, Carol, and three daughters, Terry (Terrance) Demarest of Nashville, Tenn.; Tracy (Jeff) Webster of Jacksonville, Fla.; and Lisa (Robert) Garcia of Half Moon Bay, Calif. He had seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He also leaves behind his beloved German Shorthaired Pointers, Niki and Georgi.

In honoring Cliff’s wishes, he will be cremated. A celebration of his life will be planned at a later date.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, contributions in Cliff’s memory may be made to either the Morris Animal Foundation, 10200 East Girard Ave, Suite B430 Denver, CO 80231, Phone 800-243-2345, www.morrisanimalfoundation.org; or to PACCT, Inc. (Patient Advocates for Advanced Cancer Treatments, Inc.) 1143 Parmelee NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504, Phone: 616-453-1477, www.paactusa.org.

The family would like to thank the medical staff at Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center and Ruby Memorial Hospital who participated in Cliff’s care through the years.

Hastings Funeral Home, 153 Spruce St., Morgantown is assisting the family with the arrangements.

-WVU-

cl/09/19/13

CONTACT: Charlene Lattea, College of Creative Arts
304-293-4359, Charlene.Lattea@mail.wvu.edu

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