Rochester
Celebrating a 60 Year Love Affair with Art & Design
Ann and Joe Watson, both native Georgians, studied at the University of Georgia before marrying and heading north—first to New Haven, CT, at Yale, then to Niagara Falls, NY, and ultimately to Rochester NY in 1966 at Xerox and RIT. At that time, Rochester was a graphic arts powerhouse, known for its high-end commercial printing, groundbreaking photography, and emerging modernist design—fertile ground for two artists to build their lives and careers.
Ann pursued her career as one of the few women working in design during that era, later shifting her considerable talent into textiles and fiber arts. Her work spanned macramé, knitting, soft sculpture, and weaving, and was showcased at some of the nation’s most prestigious juried craft shows. For more than a decade, she traveled extensively, selling her work on the American Craft Council circuit across the country.
Joe rounded out his career in a role he cherished as Professor of Graphic Design at the Rochester Institute of Technology. He stayed connected to RIT through friends and colleagues and has archived work from throughout his career at the Vignelli Center for Design Studies and the Cary Graphic Design Archive.
Two artists, devoted champions of the arts, inclusive social and political causes, and the preservation of wild spaces, Ann and Joe brought creativity and beauty into countless lives. We present this estate in deep appreciation of their legacy and enduring vision.
Additional Details & Photographs To Follow.
Sunday & Monday
February 8-9 2026