Black History Month 2012
Celebrating African-American Leaders in Business - Past, Present, and Future
Featured Artist
Kelvin Hair
Kelvin's father, Alfred Hair, first introduced him to art when he was a toddler. Although Kelvin's father passed away before Kelvin was old enough to be fundamentally proficient in the craft, Kelvin had a rooted desire for art that manifested itself as early as middle school. As a youngster, Kelvin would draw constantly and even use the walls of his bedroom as a canvas to create original works of art fueled by bold imagination.
Kelvin started painting on canvas with oil in high school at age 16 and met artist A.E. Backus one year later. Backus, widely known as the art teacher of the Highwaymen founder and Kelvin's father, Alfred Hair, immediately took to Kelvin. As Kelvin began shaping his skills, he invited Backus to critique one of his paintings to see if he had inherited his father's artistic gift, as many had thought. Not a stranger to evaluating works for budding artists, Backus was supportive of the younger Hair's efforts and told him he was on the right track. Backus encouraged Kelvin to keep painting, but to pay more attention to his colors. There is no doubt that getting advice and approval from one of the best was enough to strengthen Kelvin's commitment to excel as an artist. But what Kelvin remembers most about that meeting is when Backus hugged him and started crying and said, "I loved your father very much." It was apparent that his father was much more than a student to Backus: he was someone special.
Throughout the years Kelvin built on his talent and experiences and was fortunate enough to meet another kindred spirit from his father's past. Alfred influenced highwaymen Johnny "Hook" Daniels. Johnny helped hone Kelvin's skills the old-fashioned highwaymen way. Kelvin recalls Johnny picking up a brush and saying to Kelvin, "See if you can follow me." There was little preplanning, no sketching, just put in the horizon line and start painting. Kelvin continued painting intermittently until 2000 when he started painting full-time. Kelvin has developed a loyal fan base that is amazed and delighted by his vision, expressiveness, imagination, and artist integrity that is displayed in his work.
Just as Backus, Alfred, and Johnny did, Kelvin has not stopped promoting art and giving the gift of art to others. Kelvin shares his love and passion for art by teaching art for the Children's Home Society (Fort Pierce) and Better Day at Macedonia church in Gifford, Florida. Students do not need to be an artist or even have any artistic abilities. All they need is a desire to learn and to be able to hold a paint brush. Additionally, he teaches a few select students at his home studio, and all the lessons and classes are free. Kelvin `s philanthropy goes beyond his teaching, as he's donated paintings to the Navy Seal Museum, United Way, and many other charitable organizations.
Kelvin Hair was born in Vero Beach, Florida. He is the son of Mattie Thornton and Alfred Hair. Kelvin Hair is a lieutenant and 23-year veteran of the St. Lucie County Fire Department. He is the proud father of three children.
