Peter Sheehan ’66

Peter Sheehan, New Paltz, NY, died January 1, 2024.

Born in Newton Center, MA, Peter majored in fine arts and political science at Saint Michael’s. Afterwards he attended The School of Visual Arts in New York city for one year until the birth of his daughter. He then enrolled in Master’s of Applied Art program at SUNY New Paltz. He moved to a house on the Elliott’s farm which was being farmed by Nick Pape.

Peter’s involvement with the land and farming was immediate. While attending SUNY he worked with Nick taking care of his cows, horses and making hay. After obtaining his master’s, he stayed on the farm and taught art and woodworking at Wallklill Prison. He did that for 30 years. The entire time, he painted paintings, exhibited in shows and continued to make hay from the fields of the farm.

The land was Peter’s life force from which he created paintings, drawings and collages. The fields and forests flowed through him, providing inspiration, joy, life, love, challenges and accomplishments. Every day the view of the farm from his studio renewed him. The spirit of this land was the energy and inspiration of Peter’s life and art.

He is survived by his wife, Emily, a daughter and extended family.