Biography

Eugene Grissom was a Professor Emeritus of the School of Art + Art History. He graduated from Kansas State Teacher's College / Emporia KS in 1948 with BS in Music and a double major in music and art, studied harmony, composition, and conducting at the Philippine University / Manilla in 1945 while a member of the US Armed Forces, received his Master of Fine Arts with a double major in art history and printmaking from the University of Iowa in 1951 and following graduation, taught art at Kansas State Teacher's College in Emporia, KS, the University of Kentucky Department of Art 1951-1953, and the University of Florida / College of Fine Arts 1953-1987, serving as the Art Department Chair 1962-1978. He exhibited as a printmaker and his work is represented in collections at the University of Iowa (where he studied under the world renown printmaker Maurice Lasansky), in the J.B. Speed Museum / Lexington, KY as well as numerous private collections.

Also a music lover, Grissom performed with the Gainesville Jazz Ensemble, the New Gainesville Jazz Orchestra, was a member of the Trombone Quartel & Trio, was a charter member of the Weekend Warriors with the International Trombone Association which performed annually at the International Trombone Workshop. He was active in symphony orchestras and small brass chamber groups.

As Founding member of the Gainesville Friends of Jazz, Inc. he received two consecutive jazz management grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and a grant from the Southern Arts Federation Satellite Fee Subsidy / Lila Wallace-Readers Digest National Jazz Network, and served on Gainesville Friends of Jazz, Inc. board of directors 1983-1988 as well as in the position of treasurer, vice president and president, Thomas Center concert series producer, and grants administrator. He was a founding member of the American Federation of Jazz Societies and served on the board of directors 1985-1988 and as its executive secretary 1986-1988, was a board member of the Arts Council of Alachua County and served as chair of the Advisory Committee, a founding member of the National Jazz Service Organization and served on the board of directors contributing to the Nations / Jazz Study in 1990, a member of the Southern Arts Federation and served on the Jazz Advisory Panel 1990-2000, He served on the Florida Art in Buildings Selection Committee 1987-1) 88, The Harn Alliance / the Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art 1990-2004, State of Florida Vital Local Cultural Program Panel 1990-1992, Vital Local Cultural Program On Site Evaluator 1990-1991, advisor to the Women in Jazz Concert Series, and served on the International Trombone Association Scholarship, Prizes, and Awards Committee 1995-2002.

He has been listed in the International Man of the Year, the 21st Century Award of Achievement, Outstanding Musician of the 20th Century, Who's Who in American Art, Outstanding Educators in America, Who's Who in America, Who's Who in the South and the Southwest, the International Directory of Distinguished Leaders, and many more.