Thursday, February 19, 2026

Visiting Artist Lecture Series: Orion Wertz
Syracuse University School of Art and Design

Price: Free
Shemin Auditorium, Shaffer Art Building
Syracuse University, Syracuse

Orion Wertz, professor of fine art in painting at Columbus State University, was born and raised in Pittsburgh. The derelict industry and forested hills of the region left an impression that reappears in his artwork.

Wertz studied painting at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where he received a bachelor's degree. He went on to study at the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, where he received a master's degree and taught painting and drawing. In spite of his interest in the Chicago art scene, Wertz decided to leave the Midwest and move to New York City. He has exhibited paintings, drawings and sculptures in a variety of venues and has produced several comic books.