Alumnus Leaves Legacy With Endowed Professorship in Art

By Sarah Satterwhite

“In art, there are an infinite number of answers to any one question. It’s not linear,” says Everett Anton “Tony” Singer (BA Art ’70). Painting was his initial focus upon arriving at the University of Denver, but his interests broadened during his time here. Through classes in interior design, sculpture, painting and more, he soon discovered an array of artistic talents that prepared him for a dynamic career.

Tony is investing in similarly broad and meaningful educational experiences for future students through a legacy gift establishing the Everett Anton Singer Endowed Professorship in Art in DU’s College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences.

“An endowed professorship provides the funding to attract extraordinarily talented faculty to DU,” says Tony. “In addition to becoming a magnet that draws students to DU, this artist-educator will have a monumental impact as they influence the next generation of painters.”

“The Everett Anton Singer Endowed Professorship will allow the School of Art and Art History to bring in a painting professor with international prominence, raising the visibility of the program and giving our student artists mentorship of the highest level,” says Annabeth Headrick, PhD, director of the School of Art and Art History. “In our painting studios, where students create art side by side with their professors, it’s a game-changer to think of aspiring painters sharing ideas and techniques with a professor of this stature.”

Professors help students discover a world that is far bigger than they realized when they first came to DU. In teaching young artists, professors challenge students to learn about themselves, discover new talents and apply their creativity to unexpected facets of life. Funding for an endowed professorship, as through Tony’s gift, breathes life into that process.

“Tony’s visionary leadership in establishing this professorship will bring highly gifted artists to DU to teach our students, creating a tremendous impact for the University for many years to come,” says Val Otten, senior vice chancellor. “We celebrate the difference that his gift will make for this program, ensuring a lasting presence of talented painters who will teach our students.

After graduating from DU and attending graduate school, Tony channeled his creative passions toward his family’s printing business. Together with his half brother, Tony transformed the mom-and-pop social printing business into one of the top three color printers in the New York metropolitan area, winning more awards on a dollar volume basis than any of their competitors.

Key to Tony’s success was his artistic ability to envision an elevated product for his customers and help them achieve it. Because his DU education had expanded his understanding of his own artistic gift, he was able to use his skills to transform the family business.

Alongside a lifelong passion for art is Tony’s indisputable love of automobiles. In the early 1980s, Tony was one of two photographers in the world who changed the way that automobiles are photographed. Instead of the traditional front, rear and side views, Tony’s photography showcased the car’s shapes and curves: the beauty and functionality of a Ferrari’s details that no one had captured before. His resulting book was the first to display such details using the five-color printing process, a necessity in accurately portraying the Ferrari’s signature blood-red paint.

Since the 1980s, Tony’s artistry in photography, painting and printing has joined forces with his passion for automobiles in his company, VintageAutoPosters.com. He buys and sells vintage automotive posters worldwide, employing his artistic skill and knowledge of the field to connect people with pieces that bring them joy.

“Creativity is not one-dimensional,” says Tony. “That’s part of what I learned at DU. If you have talent and a creative eye, that will come out in many facets of your life and artistic pursuits.”

Each DU story is unique. And your endowment gift to the University leaves a lasting and significant impression on our future. Endowment donations are invested and reinvested so your impact can last forever. To learn more about making an endowed gift to ensure lasting excellence at DU, contact Jon Kraus at 303.871.4619 or jon.kraus@du.edu. More information can also be found online at giftplanning.du.edu/endowed-gifts.