Henryk Ptasiewicz: A Celebration of Life & Art

Name: Henryk Ptasiewicz: A Celebration of Life & Art
Start: 2026-01-24T12:00:00-06:00
End: 2026-01-24T16:00:00-06:00
Location: ArtFusion

Schedule

Sat Jan 24 2026 at 12:00 pm to 04:00 pm

UTC-06:00

Location

ArtFusion | St. Louis, MO

Please join us for a memorial exhibition and public reception to celebrate the life and artwork of our dear friend, Henryk Ptasiewicz, at ArtFusion Gallery on Saturday, January 24th from 12-4 pm located at 701 North 1st Street, St. Louis, MO 63102.
At 1 pm there will be a photo presentation, followed by a selection of speakers and an opportunity for others to share. All are welcome to attend.
CALL FOR ART: If you personally own Henryk's artwork and would like to let us BORROW it to be a part of this Memorial Exhibition, please contact Alex Johnmeyer, Rich Brooks or Davide Weaver. We are accepting original paintings on canvas and framed drawings with wire for installation. Art Drop off dates are January 9, 10, 16, 17, from noon to 4 pm at ArtFusion Gallery. If you have any questions, please email [email protected]
CALL FOR PHOTOS: If you have photos or videos of Henryk that you would like to have included in the photo presentation, please email them to April Morrison at [email protected]
Henryk Ptasiewicz’s art and impact continue to resonate throughout the St. Louis creative community. Through this memorial exhibition, we aim to celebrate his legacy and share his vision with all who were touched by his life.
Born in 1955 in Scunthorpe, England, Henryk was the son of a Polish pilot who escaped captivity during World War II to join the Polish Squadron of the British Royal Air Force. From a young age, he drew wherever he could—even on the walls of his family’s home with lumps of coal—and that early spark of creativity never faded.
After a year studying technical illustration in North Wales, Henryk earned his Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design from St. Martin’s School of Art in London in 1978. In 1999, he moved to the United States, eventually settling in St. Louis, Missouri, where he built a home, a studio, and a vibrant community of friends and fellow artists. For over a decade, his studio at the Koken Art Factory was a hub of creativity, filled with laughter, conversation, and the familiar aromas of turpentine and coffee.
Henryk was celebrated for his bold use of color and his ability to find beauty in everyday life. His subjects ranged from jazz legends like Nat King Cole and Billie Holiday to beloved pets, local personalities, and the fleeting light of the Missouri countryside. An avid plein air painter, Henryk found peace outdoors, rendering the world as he saw it—honest, luminous, and alive. His dedication earned him numerous awards at plein air events nationwide, as well as the admiration of fellow artists for both his talent and his generosity.
As a prominent figure in the St. Louis art scene, Henryk’s work was featured in galleries including the St. Louis Artists' Guild, Componere Gallery, and 31art Gallery. He also generously contributed his time and artwork to local non-profit fundraisers, such as “Art of PAWS” for Vivent Health and “Wall Ball” for Artscope. Beyond his exhibitions, he engaged deeply with the artistic community through collaborative projects, public installations, and mentorship of emerging artists. His warmth, insight, and passion left a lasting impression, inspiring countless artists and shaping the creative spirit of St. Louis for generations to come.