Framingham State University's Danforth Art Museum is holding a special event on Saturday, Feb. 12 to celebrate the life and legacy of founder Paul Marks, who passed away on April 20, 2020. 

A variety of speakers will highlight the indelible and lasting contributions Marks made to the arts and community life of MetroWest and to his friends and family, including most notably, through his founding 47 years ago of the Danforth Art Museum and School.

Speakers will include: Dr. F. Javier Cevallos, President, Framingham State University, Jessica Roscio, Director and Curator, Danforth Museum of Art, his daughters Robbin and Tracey Marks, his grandson, Sam Zabronsky, his cousin, Jerry Hirschberg, and his friend, Peter Mitchell.

The Danforth Art Museum and School was established in 1975, bringing to fruition the dream of Paul Marks, a Framingham businessman, to establish an art museum in MetroWest, which had few such assets at that time. Marks brought together and drove the efforts of a committed group of community members to establish art exhibitions, museum programs, and studio art classes. Essential to the Danforth's founding was a unique collaboration with Framingham State College, led by Justin McCarthy, President of Framingham State College. This partnership continued over the years, culminating in 2018 with a merger with Framingham State University to become the Danforth Art Museum at Framingham State University and the Danforth Art School at Framingham State University.

Though Marks created a lasting legacy with the creation of the museum, he also had many other accomplishments as a successful businessman, Chancellor of Higher Education for the state of Massachusetts, as a published scholar and lecturer on the artist James McNeal Whistler, and as president of Montserrat College of Art. He was also a member of Framingham's town meeting and served as a trustee and President of the University of Massachusetts Foundation. He received honorary doctorates from Framingham State University and the University of Massachusetts for his contributions to higher education and community life in Framingham and in the state. Despite his notable accomplishments, he was always devoted to his family and known for being humble and witty.

The event will be held at the Danforth Museum of Art, 14 Vernon Street, Framingham, MA on February 12, 2022 from 5-7 p.m. Reporters are welcome; vaccination cards will be checked at the door to protect the health of attendees.