The Dayton native held leadership roles in both national and regional art organizations and throughout the years had more than 30 one-man shows in museums and galleries across the country. He was awarded the Montgomery County Cultural Arts District Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007, received the Elizabeth Callan medal in 2009 at the American Watercolor International Exhibition, and was presented with the Jim Brower Lifetime Achievement Award by the Ohio Watercolor Society in 2013.
Hacker was elected a signature member of the American Watercolor Society and served as its historian. He was president of the Western Ohio Watercolor Society, co-founded Art Center, Dayton, helped establish Kettering’s Rosewood Gallery, and was a charter member and president of the Ohio Watercolor Society.
The Roosevelt High School graduate studied art at the Dayton Art Institute and graduated cum laude from Ohio University. His varied career included 22 years at the Dayton Daily News where he served as art director/chief photographer and promotion manager. He also worked as director of creative services and special events at Top Value Enterprises.
An exhibit of his work and gathering of friends and family will be held in the Gothic Cloister of the DAI from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Friday, January 31.
“Hack was associated with the museum from the time he was a teenager until his death,” said the DAI’s director of engagement, Jane Black. “He was one of the most positive thinking, community-minded artists in this area.”
A memorial service for Hacker will be held at Sugar Creek Presbyterian Church in Kettering at 10 a.m. on Feb. 1.
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