A native of Lowell, Massachusetts, Richard Marion has been a public artist for more than 35 years. His work explores the life of the city and environs. His paintings and drawings have been praised as imaginative and bold, and his distinctive use of line and color have combined in a style that is Marion's signature. As a teacher and gallery director, he has contributed to art education and the creative spirit of the community. His diverse skills in painting, restoration, framing, exhibits, design, and art programming has serviced cultural, academic, government, civic and business institutions as well as private individuals.

A graduate of Massachusetts College of Art, the Boston Museum School, Chicago School of Interior Design, and Art Institute of Philadelphia, Marion has served on the Advisory Boards of the Massachusetts Arts Lottery and the University of Lowell's Art Department. He was the founder of Gallery 21, Lowell's first commercial art gallery.

"Richard Marion captures, in his linear drawings, landmarks of the city. With ink, pencil, and watercolor, his posters and montages of Lowell and its surrounding environment reveal an eye for the essential and picturesque composition."
A. Schecter, Lowell Sun

A selection of the images being presented to you are from the "The Venice of the North: An Artist's Impression of the Lowell Canalways". These few represent part of more than thirty works funded by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Lowell Historic Preservation Commission. This celebration of Lowell's canalways, completed in 1994 is available as a traveling exhibit. Approximately twenty are currently on loan to the Lowell Development and Finance Corporation.

The artist continues working in the same energetic fashion, drawing inspiration from the natural environment, immigrant experiences, cultural ephemera and urban archaeology. Individual works may be commissioned or acquired to sustain and enrich our cultural texture and practicing artists.

Richard is a member of the Arts League of Lowell. He also has been a workshop instructor for the  Revolving Museum of Lowell. His work has been exhibited widely and is represented in private and corporate collections. A strong supporter of the community cultural development, over the years he has bee active with many organizations, including Lowell National Historical Park and the Whistler House Museum.