Incredibly detailed and ultra-realistic paintings by acclaimed artist and Southwest Minnesota State University alum Terrence Fogarty hung in the Whipple Gallery Aug. 20 – Sep. 21. Fogarty concentrates on sports related artwork, a genre he has been perfecting since high school.

Fogarty’s work has been commissioned by memorabilia companies and sports organizations. He has been asked to paint historic sporting events including the 1988 America’s Cup Yacht Race and the 2014 Major League Baseball All-Star game. One of his paintings hangs in the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

It was not until he came to SMSU in 1978 when he got the specialized attention and freedom to develop skills in his subject matter.

“I came to Southwest already having painted sports and athletes in high school art classes and was given all sorts of support for that direction in Marshall,” Fogarty said. “Coming to a rural ag-centered environment was the greatest thing I could have ever done, and if I had the chance to do it over, I would never do it any differently.”

Fogarty said that SMSU Professor of Art Edward Evans was a valuable resource in developing his artistic abilities. Evans, an artist himself, taught at SMSU from 1969-2002 and is the director of the Whipple Gallery.

“He was a big factor for me in choosing to go to school in Marshall,” Fogarty said. “One on one advice and guidance from an accomplished, internationally known artist was such a great asset.”

Evans said that Fogarty was always a motivated student and that his showings in the Whipple Gallery are always well received.

“As a student, he was a very conscientious and consistent worker,” Evans said. “He was probably the only student I ever worked with who pretty much knew what he wanted to do, right from the beginning.”

Fogarty graduated in 1982 and soon after began painting major works. Just four years later, Baseball Hall of Famer Dave Winfield commissioned Fogarty to commemorate the Blue Jays’ division championship.

The display in the Whipple Gallery includes “The Legacy” which depicts a still life of hockey memorabilia and “Meatball” which shows the ballpark in Dassel, Minnesota. Each work is painted with such precision, viewers could easily mistake them for photographs.

“Sports and recreation seem to grow in interest every year,” Fogarty said. “All you need to do is look to the vision that Marshall has for taking advantage of the economic boom in youth sports. I think the interest in my paintings has only been enhanced by this growth.”

SMSU has commissioned art from Fogarty as well. “Mustang Memories” depicts athletics through the years. It includes mementos from when the college was known as Southwest Minnesota State College, Southwest State University, and its current name. This can be seen on the wall of the R/A Facility.

He also painted “Horsepower” which depicts Mattke Field and completed a mural which celebrates local youth sports. While his works are recognized across the country, Fogarty says that being involved in these projects for SMSU and the community have been career highlights.

“[SMSU] and Marshall have been very kind to me and they remain a special place,” Fogarty said.