Jason Pearson

Published June 22, 2020 at 2:14 PM

Jason was born January 14, 1980, in Rochester, Minnesota, and graduated from Mayo High School in 1998. He went on to earn a BFA in photography from Minneapolis College of Art and Design in 2002. As part of his undergraduate work Jason attended The New School University, New York, NY, where he was studying on September 11, 2001, which proved to be a formative experience in his life. In 2007, he graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Masters of Fine Art and Trans Media from Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY.

A gifted educator, Jason served on the faculty of Minneapolis College of Art and Design, Minneapolis, MN; Rochester Community and Technical College, Rochester, MN; Winona State University, Winona, MN; University of Wisconsin, La Crosse, WI; Monterey Peninsula College, Monterey, CA; and the Rochester Studio Academy, Rochester, MN. Jason also used his discerning eye as a curator at the Duluth Art Institute, Duluth, MN, and the Rochester Art Center, Rochester, MN.

As an artist, Jason received numerous accolades, artist grants and residencies, both locally and internationally, including the prestigious Cooper Union School of Art Summer Residency, New York, NY; Anderson Ranch Art Center Residency, Snow Mass Village, CO; McKnight Foundation Photography Fellowship; and the Jerome Foundation Travel and Research Grant.

While trained in photography, Jason was a multi-media artist, incorporating painting, drawing, video, and collage in his pieces. For over 2 decades Jason collaborated with his twin brother, artist Jesse Pearson, under the moniker Dick and Wayne, which included time spent in Sweden and Finland exploring the work of their distant relative Mauritz Stiller, a pioneer of silent film.

Jason was outgoing and gregarious, with a sensitive soul. He made new friends easily, and held on to old friends for life, making an indelible impression on everyone who crossed his path. He will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege to know him.

Jason is survived by his parents, Scott and Debra (Nord) Pearson of Stewartville; two brothers, his twin Jesse Pearson of Stewartville and younger brother Eric Pearson (fiancée Alex Montgomery) of Rochester; maternal grandmother Virginia Nord of Rochester, and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends who loved him. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather Wayne Nord, and his paternal grandparents Richard and Arlene Pearson.

At the time of his death, Jason and his twin brother Jesse were working to publish a collection of their work. Donations are being accepted to allow Jesse to complete the book in his brother’s memory.

A visitation will be held Thursday June 25, 2020 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am in River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home, with a private family memorial service to follow.

Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com.