Jim Ridlon has been an NFL defensive safety, a professor at Syracuse University and an award-winning artist.
An opening reception will be held for an exhibit of regional paintings by Ridlon from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday Nov. 27 at the Chameleon Gallery at 53 Albany St., Cazenovia.
Ridlon has worn many hats in his life. He played with the National Football League for eight years — six years with the San Francisco ’49ers and two years with the Dallas Cowboys. He was named All-Pro as a defensive safety with the Dallas Cowboys in 1964.
After retiring from professional football, Ridlon returned to Syracuse University to complete his graduate studies and coach the defensive backs.
He taught in the College of Visual and Performing Arts at Syracuse University for 35 years and is now a professor emeritus.
Ridlon has completed many sports related commissions, including assemblages for ABC Television to commemorate Monday Night Football and the Wide World of Sports. He was named “sports Artist of the Year” for 1989 by the U.S. Sports Academy. Ridlon fashioned the “outland trophy” awarded each year to the premier college football lineman.
He has had over thirty one-man exhibitions and his work is included in over 400 permanent collections. His work is included in the Vincent Price Collection, the state legislature in Albany, the Everson Museum of Art, the Xerox Collection, Walt Disney Collection and the Rochester Memorial Art Gallery.
He has been part of over 100 invited and competitive exhibitions including the Hamilton Art Gallery in Ontario, Canada, The Contemporary Art Gallery in Ahemedabad, India, the Tomayo Museum in Mexico City, Mexico, the Tamara Bane Gallery in Los Angeles and the Albright-Knox Gallery in Buffalo.
Ridlon can also be recognized from his sports commentary on Syracuse University football games on WSYR-570 radio.
For more information about Ridley’s exhibition at the Chameleon Gallery, contact Naomi DeMuth at 655-3444. Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.
