This book was created to celebrate the retirement of Robert
Lyons, who served for 16 years as Director of the Hartford Art
School's Limited-Residency MFA in Photography. It brings
together a collection of stories, quotes, and photographs—
some serious, some absurd, and some funny—reflecting the
unpredictable, profound, and ever-changing nature of both
photography and education.

More than just a tribute, this book stands as a testament to
Robert’s vision and impact. Through his leadership, he built a
program that reimagined what an MFA in photography could
be, making graduate study accessible to a diverse group of
working artists from around the world who might otherwise
have been excluded. Robert once told me he doesn’t believe in
legacy, but the lives and work of those he’s influenced suggest
otherwise.

-Michael Vahrenwald