School of Visual Arts and Design founding chairperson and Professor Emeritus Steve Lotz passed away at 87, leaving a lasting legacy at UCF and within the broader arts community.
Born in 1938, Lotz began his studies at the University of California, Los Angeles, earning his BFA before continuing to the University of Florida for his MFA. In 1968, he moved to Central Florida to establish the Art Department at UCF, serving as its founding chair for the first decade and remaining until his retirement as professor emeritus in 2003. Over the course of his career, he became an internationally recognized artist, exhibiting across the United States and Europe. In Central Florida, he is perhaps best known for his monumental triptych Florida Dream, installed in the main terminal of Orlando International Airport, where it has welcomed millions of visitors since 1980.
Lotz remained a cherished part of the SVAD family long after his retirement, helping foster a creative and deeply rooted artistic culture that continues to influence generations of artists and educators. An accomplished artist and dedicated mentor, his legacy lives on through his work and the many lives he touched.