Charles Dillard

Charles Earl Dillard, transitioned from this early life to his Heavenly home on Friday October 14, 2022.

Charles was the 4th child of the late Robert P. Dillard and Louise Horton Dillard, he was born December 14, 1954 in Bluefield WV. Thereafter, the family moved to Columbus, OH where he attended and was baptized at Union Grove Baptist Church. Charles graduated from South High School (72') and Central State University with a degree in Art Education (78'). He continued his passion for art and took courses at Columbus College of Art and Design, and The Ohio State University Graduate studies in Black Art History.

He started his career as an artist at an early age when he would draw pictures of superhero characters from comic books. He taught in Columbus Public Schools as an Art teacher and taught art at several community Parks and Recreation Centers in Columbus and Dayton Ohio. Charles continued to teach art while he resided at Crown Pointe Care Center. He was respected by the Nursing Staff and employees for his artwork.

At a time when art exhibit space was limited, Charles partnered with legendary artists, Kojo Kamau; Aminah Robinson; Smokey Brown; Queen Brooks; and Leon Paige, to form Art for Community Expression (ACE) with a goal to provide local black artist with a space to display their work. He traveled to Africa with ACE, where he observed African crafts, he compiled a photo journal of his trip which influenced his unique artistic voice and distinct art designs. Charles showcased his talents at many venues such as, ACE Gallery, Columbus Art's Festival, The Martin Luther King Center (Columbus, OH); The Ohio State University Hale Center, Capital University, Colin Powell Leadership Academy (Dayton, OH), Sinclair Community College (Dayton, OH), James A. Rhodes State Office Tower (Columbus, OH), and Franklin University (Columbus, OH). He was always invited to many festivals to provide his unique face-painting talent to the attendees. One of his nephews took him to "share day" for him to face paint his whole class. He was also known for painting houses and designed baptism murals at Union Grove Baptist Church and several other churches in Columbus, OH which can still be seen today.

He was also an avid winemaker, where he would make wine in the basement of his mother's house using her canned fruit without her permission. Charles enjoyed gardening and helped with the annual garden at Crowne Point Care Center.

He is proceeded in death by his parents Robert and Louise (Horton) Dillard; nephew William Dillard II; and niece Usha Dillard. He is survived by his seven siblings, Olivia (James) Rusher, Robert Jr. (Nora) Dillard, Wanda Dillard, William (Michelle) Dillard, Darcel (Derek) Dillard-Suite, Janie (Ramon) Dillard- McGee, and Anthony (Kelly) Dillard; aunts Ethel Horton, Patricia Lowe and Renetta Fitzgerald; uncle Harold Fitzgerald; a host of nieces, Maia Dillard, Jasmine McGee, Kristian Brown, Tonia Dillard, Shawnae Dillard, Shia Dillard, Kaia Dillard, and Joi Brown; nephews, Charles Dillard, John Dillard, Robert Rusher, Michael Dillard, Jamile McGee, Micah Dillard, (Erin), Ty Dillard; and a host of cousins, extended family, and friends. Services will be held at New Fellowship Baptist Church, 3420 Petzinger Road, Columbus, Ohio 43232, on November 12, 2022. Family will receive visitors at 10:00am with an art show. Funeral will start at 11:00am. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Charles E. Dillard Art Department – Central State University, c/o Kelly Graves, Donor Relations, Institutional Advancement, 1400 Brush Row Road, Wilberforce, Ohio, 45384.

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