John Hawver is almost a Florida native. He moved to Hollywood Florida at the age of 10 and grew up there. He is a graduate of Miami Dade Community College, and the University of Florida, and he received his master’s degree in fine arts from the University of Miami. Mr. Hawver has taught at the University of Miami and at Miami-Dade Community College, The New World School Of The Arts in Miami and Broward County Community College.
For years, he worked as a commercial artist, but along with traffic, he gave that up to live and work by the ocean in Islamorada, in the Florida Keys, and paint his personal poetic visions, of what he sees around him. He also makes occasional forays throughout Florida and to other places, finding inspiration for new paintings in nature’s design.
His work has been shown extensively in major museums and galleries throughout the South including The Museum of Art in Ft. Lauderdale, the Lowe Art Museum, the Museum of Florida Art, in Deland, the Boca Raton Art Museum, The Cummer Museum, Jacksonville, Ormond Beach Museum and Gardens, Salem College Art Center, N.C., Key West Museum of Art and History, Art and Culture Center of Hollywood, Miami Dade College and the Ritter Gallery at Florida Atlantic University.
In February 2009, his large 10 x 8′ commission “Mangrove Canopy” was installed in Monroe County’s new Murray E. Nelson Government & Community Center in Key Largo. His work is included in many other public and corporate collections including, the Tassel Florida Keys Art Collection: Mariners Hospital, & The Roth Building in the Florida Keys, The Museum of Art in Ft. Lauderdale, the Boca Museum, Monroe, Miami Dade, and Broward Counties’ Art in Public Places, The University of Miami, The University of Florida, Cleveland Clinic, Naples, Bessemer Trust, Miami, McGraw Hill, Columbus, RCA (BMI recording) Nashville, Southern Progress Inc. in Birmingham, Tropicana, Barnett Bank, Barclays Interpayment Bank in Florida, and Morada Bay Inc. in Islamorada.
Hawver’s paintings and drawings can also be found in private collections throughout the US and Europe. He is particularly pleased to be extensively included in the collection of Jon and Julie Landau in Islamorada.
After 11 years, John recently closed the John David Hawver Gallery, at the Rain Barrel in Islamorada, in the Florida Keys, to have more time working in his studio. His work can still be seen at his studio, by appointment, at the Rain Barrel/Art on a Whim Gallery.