Was gallery owner, art instructor

ONA — Bruce Bowersock, an artist and instructor well-known to the Tri-State arts community, died Thursday at his home in Ona, following a long illness. He was 79.

A painter and graphic designer, Bowersock, along with his wife, Lillianne, were the owners of the Watercolor Dreams gallery at Heritage Station in Huntington.

Bowersock was a native of Baltimore, Maryland and, following college, worked in graphic design as an illustrator and designer. He moved to the Huntington area in 2000.

“The ability to draw has allowed me to make a career of commercial art and graphic illustration, providing clients whatever concepts they desired,” Bowersock wrote, on his gallery’s website. “On the other hand, my passion for sketching and drawing has rewarded me with the freedom to follow my deep interest for observing the world around me and interpreting it.”

He taught classes at a number of venues across the region, including Marshall University, the Renaissance Gallery and Mountwest Community and  Technical College in Huntington, the Huntington Museum of Art, Michael’s in Barboursville and Tamarack in Beckley, West Virginia.

Bowersock is survived by his wife. A celebration of his life will be from 5-8 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 5, at Watercolor Dreams, located at 1102 3rd Ave., Suite 104 in Huntington, and 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 6 at Bethesda United Methodist Church. In Ona, West Virginia.