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’50
George Johanson BFA’50
Nov. 1, 1928 – Oct. 14, 2022
George Johanson was born in Seattle in 1928 and came to Portland at age 17 to attend the Portland Art Museum School (now PNCA). George returned to the Portland Art Museum School serving as faculty in Painting and Printmaking from 1955–1980. He remained a strong community supporter of PNCA, including support for student scholarships for painting and drawing.
’59
Lee Kelly BFA’59
1932 – Mar. 28, 2022
Born in 1932 in McCall, Idaho, Lee graduated from the Museum Art School at the Portland Art Museum (now known as PNCA) in 1959. His long and prolific career has resulted in a significant body of work which can be seen in public and private collections throughout the country, including the Portland Art Museum, Stanford University, New Orleans Art Museum, Seattle Art Museum, and the city of Sapporo, Japan. Lee was well known for his monumental public sculptures throughout Oregon and the surrounding region – including the recently installed piece “Gateway” on the North Lawn of Willamette’s Salem campus.
’81
Lena McGrath Welker BFA’81
Jun. 1, 1950 – Mar. 6, 2019
Lena Welker was born in Ohio. Lena had a lifelong fascination with the natural world, and she experienced a profound need to make art and to connect with others through art as a maker and an observer. She studied at Reed College and earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at the Museum Art School. Her work has been shown in galleries, museums, universities, and public spaces across the nation as well as internationally along with being the recipient of many honors, fellowships, and prizes, including the Pollock-Krasner Award. Lena was preceded in death by her parents, her twin brother Jeff, her parents-in-law Duane “Red” and Maryann, and her stepbrother Jimmy. She is survived by her husband Ted Welker, sons Gareth and Ryen.
’96
Mark Deleon Keene BFA'96
Feb. 23, 1970 - Aug. 22, 2022
Mark was born in Seward, Alaska and moved to Portland to pursue an art degree at Pacific Northwest College of Art. He had a gift for leadership, teaching, languages, writing, art, and humor. He taught in Portland, then spent 10 years teaching English in Japan where he also began perfecting the art of brewing. Mark is survived by the two loves of his life: wife, Atsuko Keene and daughter, Denise Keene. He is also survived by his parents: father, Gerald Keene, mother and step-father, Marlene Thiel Pearson and Roger Pearson; brothers: Nathan Keene (Astrid Persans), John Monsen-Keene (Berit); sisters: Erin Micciche (Peter), Kathryn Pearson (James Ogden); extended family members, family in Japan, and many friends.
’24
Trevor Mejia BA'24
Mar. 5, 1998 - Sep. 2, 2022
Trevor was born March 5, 1998 in Thousand Oaks, California. He graduated with his Associates Degree from Lane Community College in Eugene in 2021 and was in his last year of college at Willamette University Pacific Northwest College of the Arts in Portland when he received his cancer diagnosis. A gifted artist, he aspired to become an animator; his backup plan was teaching. Trevor leaves behind his bereaved parents, Sugar and George and grandparents Kit Schneider, Steve Kane and Rachel Aldrich; his sister, Amelia, and love-brothers Ilanga and Luke, and girlfriend Tassjia Steeves. He also leaves his loving Aunt Candace, Uncle DavidPaul, cousin Hannah, Uncle Johnny and Aunt Lynn, as well as adopted-at-birth aunts, uncles and cousins, the Hall's, Klone's and Downing's and many dear friends that he considered family.