A life of art, sports and reinvention
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA (Mar. 3, 2025) — Terry Hughes’ life is a testament to adaptability, creativity and a deep-rooted connection to the communities he has called home.
Born in Yale, Mich., he spent his formative years in Pleasant Hill, Calif., after his family moved west in the mid-’50s. His father’s work for Kaiser Industries during the shipbuilding boom brought them to the Bay Area, where Hughes grew up in a town that lived up to its name. He attended local schools and graduated from Pleasant Hill High School in 1961, balancing academics, sports and a growing passion for art.
His talents extended beyond the classroom. He was a standout basketball player, despite his small stature, continuing the sport at Chico State. However, it was at Chico State’s fine arts program – his self-proclaimed “Harvard of Northern California” – that he found his true calling: ceramics. The potter’s wheel became his creative outlet, leading him to earn a degree in fine arts.
After college, Hughes took a detour from art, spending time in Lake Tahoe as a craps dealer. But his connection to his family’s teaching legacy eventually drew him back to Pleasant Hill, where he earned his teaching credential.
He began a fulfilling career as an art teacher at College Park High School, sharing his love for ceramics and crafts with young artists. His career flourished until a teacher strike in the Mount Diablo Unified School District prompted him to reconsider his future.
In his early 30s, he transitioned to financial planning, working with teachers on their retirement plans. This shift provided him with financial stability and the freedom to continue his artistic pursuits.
Hughes’ appreciation for art evolved into a passion for collecting. He often stretched his budget to acquire original pieces, deepening his understanding of artistic expression. In 1977, his love for art and community led him to relocate to Benicia, a town known for its vibrant, creative scene.
He built a life, started a family and immersed himself in the local art culture. Benicia’s mix of galleries, antique shops and artistic spaces provided the perfect backdrop for his evolving creative journey.
At the turn of the 21st century, Hughes reconnected with his artistic roots. Friends introduced him to figure drawing classes in Crockett, reigniting his passion for painting. He soon joined Benicia’s plein air community, studying under Jerry Turner and mastering oil painting with a palette knife – a tool he had once dismissed but later embraced. This artistic transformation marked a significant turning point, allowing him to experiment with bold textures and expressive strokes.
Hughes became a prominent figure in the local art scene and a founding member of Benicia’s first plein air gallery. He also lent his financial expertise to Arts Benicia during difficult times, offering guidance while choosing to stay behind the scenes rather than take leadership roles.
His influence extended beyond finance, as his paintings began attracting attention. One of his standout pieces, a striking 32- by 48-inch painting of a giraffe, was inspired by a World War II-era story of giraffes transported from Africa to Czechoslovakia. This work further established him as an artist unafraid to tackle ambitious projects.
His plein air adventures took him across the Bay Area, including Mount Diablo and Clayton, where he continuously sought new inspirations. As plein air painting grew in popularity, Hughes constantly explored fresh subjects and techniques. His ability to adapt and push creative boundaries solidified his reputation as a dynamic and imaginative artist.
His journey – from ceramics to financial planning and back to painting – reflects his resilience and passion for artistic exploration. His contributions to the Benicia art community have left a lasting impact, enriching the cultural landscape of his adopted hometown.
From his childhood in Pleasant Hill to his flourishing career as a painter, Hughes’ life is a testament to the power of reinvention and the enduring influence of creativity.
Email comments to Julia O’Reilly at joreillyfineartgallery@gmail.com.
Julia O'Reilly
Born and raised in the beautiful city of Istanbul, Turkey, Julia pursued her studies in Business and Economics at Istanbul University before immigrating to the United States in 1991. She furthered her education at Las Positas College, specializing in Interior Design, and eventually settled in Clayton, where she has resided for 29 years. In 2003, Julia began her career as a jewelry artist, earning recognition from Diablo Magazine as the Best of the East Bay Local Jewelry Designer in 2012. Since 2014, she has been involved with the Blackhawk Gallery in Danville, California, and became President of the Alamo Danville Artists Society in 2020. In 2022, she opened her own JOR Fine Art Gallery, and for the past two years, she has been actively contributing to the Art Community in Clayton, a passion she deeply cherishes.