Old Lyme — A roadway off Lyme Street walked every day by students on their way to class at Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts of the University of New Haven will now be called "Keller's Way," after Deane G. Keller, a late professor of the arts college.

In a ceremony Monday to unveil the sign, Campus Dean Todd Jokl said that it is symbolic for the institution's history that "Keller's Way" connect the Southwick Commons Townhomes to the Chandler Center, all named after important figures in the institution's history.

Southwick Commons, which is student housing, is named after Wayne Southwick, a lifetime trustee, and his wife, Ann, while the Chandler Center is named after the founder of Lyme Academy, Elisabeth Gordon Chandler.

Jokl said Keller, a longtime professor of Lyme Academy, was described "as the heart of this institution."

Keller taught from 1979 up until his death in 2005 at Lyme Academy. He also taught at the New York Academy of Art and the Hartford Art School at the University of Hartford, among other institutions. He wrote books, including the "Draftsman's Handbook."

He was a draftsman, painter and sculptor who was known for teaching figure drawing and human anatomy, according to a news release from the school.

About 25 members of the Lyme Academy community and Keller's widow, Dorothy Keller, and Keller's brother, William Keller, attended the ceremony. In a reception afterward, alumni and members of the school community reminisced about him.

Keller's widow, Dorothy Keller, received a medal for Keller, who was the Endowed Chair of Classical Drawing and Figurative Art up until his death.

Keller said she knows Keller would have been "deeply touched" by the roadway sign and medal.

Kimberly Monson, an instructor of sculpture and drawing at Lyme Academy who studied with Keller while at the Lyme Academy and the New York Academy, said Keller had high standards for his students. She said she came to him knowing nothing about drawing, and he had to correct everything she did "over and over again." She said when she met his approval during her final semester, it felt amazing, because she knew she "earned it." She said he formed how she now constructs sculptures.

"He almost inspired some awe because he felt so passionately about drawing — drawing as an art form," she said.

Charlotte Danly Jackson, who established the endowed chair in Keller's honor, said that he was her drawing and anatomy teacher and that he was kind and gentle and had an "exacting eye." 

"All in all, he was just a very generous human being," she said.

"Deane was the best draftsman I've ever known, a great teacher, and a great friend," said Hollis Dunlap by email. "He was the type of person you wanted to work hard for, not because he demanded it, but because he inspired people to do their absolute best."

"His dedication, humility, skill, and love of art history created a zen-like atmosphere in his classes," he added. "He was soft spoken but his words carried enormous authority because of his drawing skill, deep knowledge of artistic anatomy, and dedication to his students. I loved talking about art history with Deane, and I miss it to this day. I was very fortunate to have him as a teacher."

k.drelich@theday.com