The Shatford Family for the Tom Shatford Memorial Scholarship

Tom Shatford was a gifted artist who struggled courageously with schizophrenia for much of his adult life. He was loved by his friends and family for his gentleness, his loyalty, his intelligence, and his sweetly impish sense of humor.

Tom was born on November 15, 1952 in Los Angeles, but he lived most of his life in Pasadena. He attended Pasadena City schools, graduating from John Muir High School in 1970. He then attended California College of the Arts in Oakland, Pasadena City College, and UCLA, earning a BA (1975) and an MFA (1979). Tom exhibited his art works in individual and group shows, and taught art in programs for the mentally ill. Tom had other interests besides art: he volunteered for many years at the Huntington Botanical Gardens; he was also an accomplished magician.

Tom died suddenly at the age of 58, on February 20, 2011, as the result of a pulmonary embolism. His family established the Tom Shatford Art Scholarship in his honor because Tom loved helping art students and also because Tom had created some of his best works while a student in the PCC Art Department.

One of the etchings that Tom created while a student at PCC is on display in the Shatford Library; the library is named in honor of Tom’s father, Walter T. Shatford II.