A Living Tribute

Jason Sloan Tyler ’01 adored the Addison Gallery—and all who met him quickly grew to adore Jason himself.

A devotee of Baroque painter Caravaggio and a champion of emerging artists who could similarly capture the human spirit, Jason always made his irrepressible presence felt in a life extinguished far too soon.

In early June, Jason’s family and friends gathered in the museum’s rotunda—the majestic marble entryway he passed through so many times, first as an enthusiastic student and then as a steadfast benefactor—to dedicate the prominent space in his honor.

There, Paul Manship’s sculpture Venus Anadyomene (1927) welcomes visitors, offering a tranquil yet profound reminder of Jason’s affinity for Roman mythology and art and Italian travel.

“Through art, Jason found meaning and balance, and the Addison held a deep place in his heart,” says Hadi Husain ’00, a fellow prefect turned lifelong friend.

“He was the glue that bound so many of us together and to Andover. Throughout the big moments in my life, he was always there and always an incredible friend to lean on.”

More than 80 family members and friends joined Hadi to make this tribute possible. An accomplished attorney, Jason was a leading member of the Addison Artist Council Steering Committee in his spare time. Gifts made in his name will support the Addison Gallery’s endowment, which helps secure the museum’s long-term growth and success.

“It is incredibly meaningful to dedicate the Addison’s rotunda to our dear friend Jason Tyler and to recognize the profound impact the museum had on him during his time as a student,” says Allison Kemmerer, The Mary Stripp and R. Crosby Kemper Director. “As the first point of connection for every visitor, this inviting space stands as a tribute to Jason, who firmly believed in the transformative power of art, and who hoped all those entering the gallery would be as captivated and inspired by their encounter with the museum and its collection as he was.”