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Let’s pause a moment on our Saturday to offer happy VizEds birthday wishes to Ken Wright, a graphic artist here at The Virginian-Pilot. Ken turns 64 today.
Ken has worked at the Pilot for 39 years — he was hired an an intern in the Pilot’s public relations department in 1968 and he never left. He plans to retire in December.
Thirty-nine years. Unbelievable. I’m an old man of 45. But I was just starting first grade when Ken was issued his first company I.D.
A 1968 graduate of Norfolk State University, Ken moved from his internship to the Pilot’s advertising creative services department and then to the photo department of the Pilot’s P.M. sister paper, The Ledger-Star, as a retouch and airbrush artist in 1970.
In 1976, Ken became an illustrator and page designer for the features department. He moved to graphics in 1983.
Ken won an award from the Society for News Design in 1998 and from the Virginia Press Association in 2004, both for illustration work.
A few examples of Ken’s illustrations:
In addition, Ken is a painter. He maintains a studio in Norfolk’s D’Art Center, producing abstracts in acrylics. His official bio says he’s won more than 300 awards for his paintings and has sold to collectors in the U.S., France, Sweden, Liberia, West Africa and Indonesia.
Probably his best-known painting is “September 11″:
The George W. Bush family purchased the original piece. However, Ken sells prints of it on his online fine art gallery.
Ken served as an Arts Commissioner for the state of Virginia from 1993 to 1998.
Ken and his brother at the annual
parade in Portsmouth, February 2005.
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In addition, Ken owns two horses. He is a founder of the Buffalo Riders of Hampton Roads, an African-American equestrian club that commemorates the Buffalo solders and black cowboys of the U.S. Army.
Every February, my daughter loves to watch the annual Buffalo Riders parade in Portsmouth. Although Ken’s leaving the Pilot, we’re hoping he continues to ride in the parade.
Ken is an incredibly generous kind of guy. On two separate occasions, he’s brought his horse down to the Pilot so our interns could get a their first taste of riding a horse.
Ken and Major ferry Allisence Chang around
the Pilot’s parking lot on the last day of her
2007 summer graphics internship.
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Ken shares a birthday with Titanic actor Kate Winslet, hockey great Mario Lemieux and McDonald’s founder Ray Kroc. Plus, the National Storytelling Festival opens today in Jonesborough, Tenn.
Happy birthday, Ken. Best wishes!
Classes in video journalism
Charles,
It is with my greatest appreciation for such a touching write up. It must have taken some time for you to digup all those kind words.
I have thoroughly enjoyed my journey through my career here at the Pilot. There have been some bumps in the road, but through it all I have become a better person. Charles, You have been a gracious teacher and superviser.
When I started here at the Pilot, I was the second African-American in the art department and the first in the Ledger-Star news department.
Again, Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Yes, I will continue riding with the Buffalo Riders.
Ken
Happy Birthday Ken!
Happy birthday!
Remember me…I RODE YOUR HORSE ON MY LAST DAY AT WORK!
Hey what is the reason for the kids floating in your art piece Forest for the TRees???