Jerry Peart Obituary

PEART, Jerry Linn, born in Winslow, Ariz., passed away at his home on October 12, 2025, at the age of 77. One of America's most influential sculptors, whose lyrical abstract designs grace public spaces across the country and beyond, Jerry leaves a legacy of creativity, courage and generosity.

Jerry's artistic journey began with an early love for vibrant hues which became the signature of his career that spanned more than four decades. After earning his BFA at Arizona State Univ. and MFA from Southern Illinois Univ. in 1972, he moved to Chicago where he joined a community of visionary artists like John Henry, Richard Hunt and Steve Urry. In 1977, Jerry and partners Paul Slepak and Tom Scarff founded Sedgwick Studio which became the epicenter for the large-scale public art movement and helped put Chicago on the map as a pioneer in outdoor art.

Jerry's life embodied his philosophy that "the artist not only has to provide an answer but must also pose the question." This guided him through creating more than 35 large-scale public sculptures, including "Falling Meteor" at Chicago's Federal Center Plaza, Blue Geisha at Presidents Plaza near O'Hare in Chicago, "Splash" in Schaumburg, Ill., "Grand Merci" in Atlanta, "Morning Breeze" at Canton Museum of Art and "Falling Meteor II"-a gift from his parents to his hometown of Winslow. His smaller works can be found in museums and private collections worldwide.

Jerry moved to Ashland, Va., in 2001, where he continued creating art in his studio at Pine Grove Farm and enriching his new community. More than just an artist, Jerry was a visionary who believed in transformation-whether through art that reshaped public spaces, research that unlocked medical discoveries, or kindness and generosity that touched individual lives. His legacy lives on through the sculptures that stand as lasting gifts from a man who spent his life asking important questions and answering them through his art and his actions.

Perhaps Jerry's most significant contribution is his involvement with Duke Brain Cancer Center for treatment of his glioblastoma. Jerry valiantly fought to survive and lived a full life for 12 years. His survival rate was 1%.

Jerry is preceded in death by his brother James "Jay" Peart III, mother Guenna Peart, and father James Peart II. He is survived by his beloved wife Carolyn Richman Peart, daughter Ave Murphy, son-in-law Todd Murphy, granddaughter Mia Murphy, godson Douglas Boytos and many other nieces, nephews and cherished friends in whom he inspired creativity and compassion.

Friends and family are invited to attend a funeral Mass on Friday, Nov. 7th, 2025, 1 p.m. at St. Ann's Catholic Church, Ashland, Va. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke. Checks should be made payable to Tisch Brain Tumor Center and sent to The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, DUMC Box 3624, Durham, NC 27710.