Issue link: http://maconmagazine.uberflip.com/i/1302805
How do you mend after the death of the man with whom you shared your life for 36 years? How do you create a lasting memorial for your husband, Fernando La Rosa, beloved art professor and photographer of international stature that's as expansive as his outsized personality? Frances White La Rosa, painter, sculptor and venerated art professor in her own right, is nothing if not determined and industrious. "I knew Fernando wanted to be cremated. And since religion wasn't a thing with us, there never was a conversation about a service," Frances La Rosa explained. After Fernando's passing on Nov. 17, 2017, Frances envisioned an exhibition of his work. But she also aspired to create something more enduring to remember him — not just as an artist or a person, but as a teacher who "demanded excellence and investigation and challenged his students to reach deep into themselves to create something evocative." Wesleyan College, Fernando's academic home for 19 years, joined Frances in hosting a month-long exhibition in January 2018 entitled, "Seizing Life: rough the Lens of a Photographer." A sizable circle of the couple's friends and colleagues gathered at the opening to mourn Fernando's passing and hail his fine art photography. e carefully chosen compendium of photographs curated by Frances was presented in two galleries in Porter Auditorium — one a retrospective spanning more than 40 years, the other, photographs on loan from the private collections of local friends and collectors. At the opening, Frances gave an art talk describing Fernando's work as "a quest to find contrast between the rectilinear and the organic," describing him professionally as a skillful photographer who created powerful images and drama in black and white. In his work as in his life, she said, "Fernando displayed a dark, dense, shadowy kind of strength." A month later, Fernando, who founded the first photography school in Peru, was commemorated at an exhibition in Lima, and in August was feted at the International Photography Festival for his contributions to Latin American photography. In the five years leading to his death, the dynamic professor faced a string of physical challenges — a superbug known as MRSA, knee replacement surgery, heart trouble for which he received a pacemaker, and finally, a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. "Despite declining health, Fernando remained positive and health-minded, but the cancer diagnosis was a total shock. I knew no treatment would resolve it, and death wasn't too far in the future. Yet he continued to be lively and physically active — teaching his classes until two weeks before he died," Frances said. As Fernando weakened and traveling became difficult, Frances suggested that they think about their home as a destination, the place they'd dream of traveling to, and began formulating plans to create a lasting tribute to the man who meant so much to so many. Although not a gardener himself, Fernando appreciated his wife's love of horticultural and observed her handiwork from the screened porch outside his home studio, where he relaxed and smoked his pipe. Frances smiled at the memory: "He enjoyed that peaceful place where he could sit and look and be thoughtful." Fernando was an apple aficionado, sharing one daily with Frances. But knowing their yard was too shady for an apple tree, Frances H 42 maconmagazine.com | AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2020