Craig N. Lucas, 69, taught at Kent State University School of Art for more than 30 years

Craig N. Lucas, 69, professor emeritus, talented painter and recipient of a Cleveland Arts Prize for a 2008 Lifetime Achievement Award for Visual Arts, died Friday, April 1, at his home in Kent.

The Cleveland native received a bachelor of fine arts degree from KSU in 1967 and a master of arts in 1976. He taught at the KSU School of Art from 1969 until retiring in 2004.

All the while, Lucas pursued his passion for abstract painting. He won numerous honors, including an Ohio Arts Council Fellowship, Akron Area Arts Alliance Visual Arts Award and the Painting Award at the 1990 May Show at the Cleveland Museum of Art.

His artwork has been exhibited at the Akron Art Museum, Canton Art Museum and the 1994 Invitational at the Cleveland Museum of Art. He had one-person shows at such venues as the John Davis Gallery in Akron, William Busta Gallery in Cleveland, Ohio University and Occidental College in Los Angeles.

Lucas became involved with the Kent Environmental Council when the Cuyahoga River was rerouted around the historic dam downtown, according to the KEC’s Winter 2010 publication.

He also participated in Garden Club of Kent projects, attended the and practiced yoga.

Survivors include his sons, Erik and Ian; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and siblings, Dennis and Francine.

A memorial service will be held at a later date with arrangements by .