Ernie Klassen

Ernie Klassen was born on the prairies in Bigger, Saskatchewan and raised among the cherry orchards of Oliver, B.C.
As a young man, Ernie moved to Calgary to study under Illingworth (Buck) Kerr, Stanford Perrott, Ken Sturdy, Ron Spickett, and Frank Palmer at the Alberta College of Art & Design (ACAD).

After graduating from the Commercial Art program, Ernie moved to Toronto to work as a commercial artist for the advertising agency, Clement Salla. Always an adventurer, Ernie set off to Leysin, Switzerland to teach as an instructor of Art History at the American College of Switzerland, then came home to Canada to work as a commercial artist for Neon Products in Edmonton and Calgary.

In his retirement years, Ernie has enjoyed once again picking up the paintbrush to capture the landscapes that inspire this artist’s eye.