For Dr. Fritz Kapraun, teaching classes for the Honors Scholars’ program and the Biology department, winning all three of the prestigious awards UNCW has to offer and doing botany research is just not enough. Kapraun now has an exhibit of his artwork on display at St. John’s Museum of Art, located at 114 Orange Street.

A great believer in learning from past failures and successes, Kapraun has formulated his own theories and beliefs about life. His life goals are oriented around making an impact on those around him and leaving a legacy for those who come after him. Kapraun has grasped this belief with the start of his newest hobby: art.

Kapraun’s devout convictions are not only seen in his style of teaching but also in his art. Using watercolors to capture the essence of architecture, Fritz has surprised his peers and the community, with his very obvious talent.

“Fritz Kapraun’s architectural paintings use colors that are relaxing and calming,”said Michelle Klein, a receptionist at St. John’s Museum of Art.

The entrance to the temporary art exhibit area in the museum opens to a display of over a dozen of Kapraun’s works. Primarily using soothing blue, green and beige tones, Kapraun’s work captures the style and depth of architecture. Combined with the historic, quaint atmosphere of St. John’s, the personality of Kapraun’s scenes is evident. The architecture in his works range from the Southwest to scenes from Italy.

Airlie Gardens and Second Street are some of the local subjects of Kapraun’s art. He has captured the beauty of the popular wedding chapel at Airlie Gardens, a place that is often overlooked in its historic significance. A Southwest painting titled “Montezuma’s Castle” captures the eerie quality of a ghost-like town by using greys to highlight the structure’s ancient lines.

Kapraun’s work has been on display at St. John’s Museum of Art since Aug. 5 and has received many excellent reviews

Kapraun has been a professor at UNCW for 20 years. In the past four years, he was awarded the Chancellor’s Teaching Excellence Award, the Distinguished Teaching Professorship and the Board of Governor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching.