Luvon Sheppard

Luvon Sheppard is a Professor at the School of Art within the College of Art and Design at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), where he has taught for over 50 years since 1972. His office is located in BOO-3410 and he can be reached at lxsfaa@rit.edu. Sheppard earned both his BFA and MST from RIT and has become a cornerstone of the institution's art education.

Specializing in painting and fine arts, Sheppard's artistic practice encompasses vibrant watercolor works that blend Rochester's urban landscapes with historical references and spiritual symbolism. His signature style juxtaposes everyday street scenes with biblical imagery such as the Four Horsemen and scriptural passages. In recent years, he has expanded to creating mixed-media collages by reassembling fragments of his own watercolor paintings. His teaching philosophy emphasizes creative process over technical perfection, reflected in courses ranging from Watercolor (PAIT-460, PAIT-760) to thesis supervision (STAR-790, STAR-890).

Sheppard's community impact extends far beyond campus through Joy Gallery, which he co-owns with his wife Frances at 498 West Main Street. Operating for over 20 years, the gallery serves as a vital hub for diverse artists including his RIT students, regional creators, and emerging talents. He arrives daily by 6 a.m. to paint while his wife receives medical treatment.

• Named one of CITY's Rochester 10 (August 5, 2025)
• Recipient of recognition for five-plus decades of contribution to Rochester's arts ecosystem

As a mentor, Sheppard has influenced generations through his teaching and community initiatives. His philosophy encourages students to 'paint what is around me, what I'm seeing, and what's going on inside.' He pioneered arts accessibility programs dating back to the 1970s when he brought art to barber shops and beauty salons as coordinator of neighborhood services at Memorial Art Gallery.

Currently preparing waterscape paintings for an Erie Canal bicentennial exhibition at Stony Point Arts Studio, Sheppard continues to evolve his practice while maintaining his role as what Yaqub Shabazz describes as 'a force in the Rochester art community going back generations' who has 'a relationship with so many individual artists.'