CCSA Foundation is honored to receive a donation of eight paintings from Anna Sophocles Hadgis and Michael Sophocles in memory of their parents, Hrisafie and Sophocles M. Sophocles.

In the 1970's, Dr. Sophocles Michael Sophocles, professor of Philosophy and History at Pennsylvania Military College (presently Widener University) met Andrew Turner who also taught at Widener, and a close bond was established. Andrew and Sophocles spent hours discussing philosophy, religion, art, jazz and especially the discipline of teaching and all that it entails. Over the years, until Dr. Sophocles’ death in 1979, he and Hrisafie purchased eight of Andrew Turner’s paintings.

These eight paintings were later passed down to their children, Michael Sophocles Sophocles and Anna Sophocles Hadgis, founding principal of CCSA. When CCSA became a charter school in 2012 and moved to Aston, the first thing Anna did was hang one of Andrew’s paintings in her office. As Anna recalls, a student walked into her office and immediately noticed the painting. “That girl looks just like me!” she exclaimed.

Upon making this gift, Anna and Michael shared, “Andrew would have appreciated knowing that his legacy lives on in the minds, souls and bodies of the youth living today in Chester. Our parents, certainly would be proud to know that their gift to CCSA will have a lasting impact.”

Andrew Turner is a graduate of Temple University’s Tyler School of Art, and his work has been widely acclaimed, with many solo exhibitions and participation in group exhibitions. During his career, he taught art in grades K-12 in Chester’s public schools and in correctional centers.Turner was also an artist-in-residence and lecturer at Chester’s Deshong Museum, Widener University, Institute of Contemporary Art, and University of Pennsylvania.