Mystery Classmate 050

Congratulations to Coleman Brennan, Larry McAfoos, Paula Recchio Joseph, Heidi Stout, Lori Haas Baccari, Stu Cohen, Jack Horner, Frank Battaglia, Beth Chufo Nichols, Maria Wojtaszek Romanelli, and Ron Levick, who correctly identified Burton Morris ('82) as Mystery Classmate 050 and are listed in the order that their responses were received.

In case you were wondering, Burton Morris is an award-winning artist who has been proclaimed the leader of the "New Pop" movement. His work has appeared in the TV shows "Friends" and "Just Shoot Me"; on the labels of Perrier bottles, Pepsi cans, and Heinz food products; and on posters for the World Cup, the Olympics, and the Pittsburgh Zoo Aquarium.

Burton says, "My artwork portrays popular icons and ideas that people can relate to in everyday culture. I wanted to add a contemporary twist to traditional Pop Art by implementing my own sense of color and energy. I share Andy Warhol's vision by portraying imagery that is familiar to a large audience. I believe that by utilizing the media and new technology I can communicate my ideas on a large scale. Warhol and I differ in style and technique, yet we share a similar sense of color and impact."

Burton received a BFA in design and fine art from Carnegie Mellon University in 1986, and lives in Forest Hills with his wife Julie and their two cats Hamlet and Daisy. You can learn more at Burton's website, which is linked in the column on the right.

Many classmates had nice things to say about Burton.

Jack Horner remembered Burton "walking down the aisle of Bus 7, carrying a giant egg-beater painting comprised of millions of ink dots. It's probably worth $20 grand now that he's that famous Academy Award artist. He also designed our company logo, for which we are grateful."

Lori Haas Baccari called Burton the "local boy gone BIG," and is happy to have his rendition of Little Jack Horner in her living room.

Beth Chufo Nichols reports that she "had A DATE with him shortly after I returned home from college. Took me home to his parents house to "show me his portfolio"... of artwork, that is. Impressive."

Stu Cohen remembered Burton only through his older brother Brian, but noted that his works are "pretty big stuff," while Ron Levick noted that Burton "could become the most famous person to graduate from Churchill."

Ann Broadberry Johnson and Brandon "Brandon B" Holmes guessed Larry McAfoos. Brandon wrote, "The only thing I remember about Larry was he did the morning announcements my freshman year. He was a senior, I believe. I never had the chance to talk to him, but I would if I saw him today because he's a
fellow Irishman."

Paul Rodgers guessed Craig Davis. Milton Koutavas guessed Vince Merlino. Lauren Hoener Nace guessed Dennis Koutavas. Jim Davliakos guessed Bob Morrison. Bill Stout guessed Kevin Borellis, or Tommy Buerger.