Rarely in life does one stop and take time to notice all of the colors that exist in our world. Flashy cars and technological gadgets often upstage the beauty of a picturesque sunset or brilliant lilac bush.

Columbus residents now have an opportunity to take notice.

Works from the late Richard Vekasy, known for his skill of combining colors, are on display at the Columbus College of Art & Design.

The exhibit, “In Memoriam: Richard Vekasy,” featuring Vekasy’s “The Color of Life,” includes 20 paintings and collage, and six sculptures, said Jennifer McNally, a spokeswoman for CCAD.

McNally said Vekasy was well known in the advertising and marketing world for his commercial design enterprise – his clients included McDonald’s, Ocean Spray and Petland – but he was also an accomplished fine artist who produced an extensive body of work in multimedia, including found-object collage.

“Vekasy’s work exemplifies the breadth of training in color theory and grounding in two-dimensional design for which CCAD is recognized,” McNally said.

“In addition, these paintings display the skills that CCAD prides itself on instilling in students – that is, a strong and sophisticated understanding of color,” said Natalie Marsh, director of exhibits at CCAD.

A 1966 graduate of CCAD, Vekasy died of a heart attack in June of 2001.

“My sister and I came up with the idea and contacted CCAD after my father passed away,” Vekasy’s son Matthew said.

Matthew, 33, and his sister, Heather, 32, initiated the project to display their father’s work at his alma mater.

“We began talking about a show and working together two years ago and decided that Vekasy’s ‘Color of Life’ series of multimedia collage paintings were an excellent representation of his approach to painting – something he pursued parallel to his commercial design career,” Marsh said. “It made sense to feature his work in an exhibition since he graduated from CCAD and had worked for many years as a commercial graphic designer here in Columbus.”

Following their father’s death, Matthew and Heather also began an ongoing effort to establish a scholarship in their father’s name – The Richard Vekasy Scholarship Fund.

“We asked that any donations be made to the college. We thought it would be a great way to try to create a scholarship,” Matthew Vekasy said.

McNally said more than 60 people attended the opening reception for “In Memoriam: Richard Vekasy” Friday.

“Many friends and family were quite touched when they came to the exhibition reception,” Marsh said.

McNally said the exhibit has been well-attended in its first week.

“The community seems very interested in Mr. Vekasy’s work,” she said.

When asked what his late father would think about the exhibit, Matthew Vekasy said, “He would have been very nervous. His work was very personal to him.

“It’s such a personal thing for an artist to do,” he said. “You’re putting your true soul on the wall, so-to-speak.”

Matthew Vekasy, a landscape architecture graduate of Ohio State, works as a real estate developer.

“I do not work in art, but I definitely have some artistic background,” he said. “(My sister) has got a little bit of creativity in her as well.

“I think he would be very proud of us,” Matthew Vekasy said.

“In Memoriam: Richard Vekasy” runs until September 13. The Canzani Center Arcock Gallery hours are 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays, 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. Thursdays and 1-5 p.m. Sundays.