Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Tao LaBossiere (1968–2024)
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Tao LaBossiere, a visionary artist, devoted husband, and beloved member of the Hartford community. Tao's boundless creativity, generous spirit, and passion for making the world a better place through art touched countless lives.
For decades, Tao brought beauty, meaning, and connection to public spaces through his murals, sculptures, and community-driven projects. His work lives on in the hearts of those who knew him and through the art that will continue to inspire generations.
Tao’s final masterpiece, the White Oak Leaf Throne in Bushnell Park, now stands as a tribute to his commitment to public art and his belief in the power of creativity to transform spaces and lives.
We invite you to join us in celebrating Tao's legacy by exploring his life's work and continuing his mission to support the creative community.
Donate to the Tao LaBossiere Artist Fund at Hartford Foundation: https://www.hfpg.org/TAOartfund
Art of Tao LaBossiere Unveils "NYC Delights" Mural at Vernon Diner
Tao’s mural, The Oneness of Being of Still Waters, is located at 289 Asylum Street, Hartford. Made possible by funding from Free Center’s Independent Artists Fund. Read the artist's statement here.
Aerial shot of Bee the Change by Keith Claytor/TimeFrozen
Tao LaBossiere at Bee the Change pollinator mural during bee installation at The 224 EcoSpace, Hartford, CT.
Our largest mural in 2021 is Bee the Change pollinator mural at The 224 EcoSpace, a significant work of public art in the Asylum Hill neighborhood of Hartford. Bee the Change” is a unique mixed-media mural. It includes 250 hand-brushed honeycombs, spray-painted flowers, large cutout “224” PVC numbers, seven hand-cut steel bees attached to the parking lot light poles, and five mounted protruding from the mural surface designed to cast shadows as if the bees are landing on the wall. Visit 224 Farmington Ave, Hartford, CT.
Tao’s mural at Wagging Tails Pet Resort & Spaw, West Hartford’s only indoor dog park. Focal wall completed in 2019.
Before and After at Still Hill Brewery, Rocky Hill, CT.
Tao LaBossiere transformed a plain white-walled office park interior with trompe l'oeil painting into the look of an old barn with many whimsical features. Inspired by the Still Hill logo created by graphic designer Gary Holmes, Tao's iconic design unexpectedly changed the company’s brand direction. The project took 2.5 months to execute on-site at Still Hill. Tao worked with mural assistants Dwight Teal, Jr. and Julie Pereira to complete the painting.
" We are so proud to have Tao's original art in our tap room. The mural has turned what would have been boring industrial space into a comfortable, welcoming environment. There isn't a day that goes by that a tap room patron doesn't tell us how awesome the mural is! They are even more amazed when we tell them the story behind it and how it was hand painted by Tao. We hired Tao to simply paint our logo on the wall. His professional proposal opened our eyes to an amazing opportunity. He created a mural that has transformed our space. He completed his work on schedule and even went 3 steps further by completing a lighting project that would not have come out half as good if we did it on our own. Always helpful and pleasant we can't thank Tao and Amy enough. We welcome you to our taproom to check out his beautiful work. "
—Scott & Sue Barbanel, Still Hill Brewery