Randall L. Dalton, 67, of Mt. Airy, an artist and advocate for artists, died Feb. 5 from complications of a stroke at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.
In addition to being a prominent local artist, Mr. Dalton was a strong advocate for the regional art community. Known as the “Blue Man” by many involved in the arts in Philadelphia, he spent a large part of his professional career creating a campaign around the color blue, which he hoped would unify support for artists in the city that he felt were not adequately appreciated.
Mr. Dalton’s best-known project was the “Blue Grotto,” an installation at Philadelphia’s Community Education Center on Lancaster Ave. that features hundreds of blue lamps and blue lights that illuminate the nonprofit center’s basement in tones of azure and sapphire. Mr. Dalton was an artist-in-residence at the center.
In addition to his blue campaign, Mr. Dalton helped many local artists to create and install their work around the city. He helped New York artist Red Grooms to install his popular “Philadelphia Cornucopia,” which today is owned by the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. He also had constructed exhibits for the Philadelphia Flower Show.
Born in Milwaukee, he was a graduate of Kalamazoo College.
Mr. Dalton is survived by a sister, Kathy Dalton, and a brother Richard Dalton.
A memorial service will be held in the spring at the Community Education Center. Memorial donations may be sent to the center at 3500 Lancaster Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19104. – WF
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