LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Kentuckians are mourning the loss of influential journalist and artist Mervin Aubespin who passed away Wednesday at age 86. 

What You Need To Know

  •  Mervin Aubespin was an influential journalist and artist in Louisville

  •  He worked to increase representation of people of color in journalism

  •  Sculptor Ed Hamilton has been friends with him for decades 

  • Aubespin died Wednesday at 86

A large painting is displayed inside sculptor Ed Hamilton’s studio in Louisville. 

“…Traded a piece for the painting years ago. He did that back in 1974, and he got influenced by the, the music. And Merv loved music,” Hamilton said.

It was their passion for art that carved the way for Aubespin‘s and Hamilton’s close friendship. 

Hamilton added, “You can’t beat it when you when you get somebody who is in simpatico with you, you know what I mean? And you feel comfortable enough around them.”

Among the Derby parties and trips they took together, Hamilton said he has many found memories with Aubespin. 

“He would have these not picnics, but outings, you know, and, you know, he was from Louisiana, and he loved to cook that hot sausage gumbo … and good drinks.”

The friends helped form the Louisville Art Workshop, connecting with Black artists in Louisville to share their work and skills.  

According to the Filson Historical Society, Aubespin used his talent as an artist for the Courier Journal, but during racial unrest in 1968, Aubespin became a reporter to help keep his white colleagues safe.

“He had two lives he lived. One being a journalist and also one being an artist, you know, and he, he, he did both of those quite well, no question about it,” Hamilton said. 

Aubespin worked to provide an opportunity for more people of color to work in journalism. The Notable Kentucky African Americans Database says Aubespin founded the Louisville Association of Black Communicators and was a president of the National Association of Black Journalists. In 1995, Aubespin was inducted into the University of Kentucky School of Journalism Hall of Fame. 

He was the co-author of “Two Centuries of Black Louisville: a Photographic History.”

Hamilton said, “He loved this community, loved what he did, loved his family. What else can you do? What else is there? You know, when you got that, you got it all.”

Aubespin is survived by his wife Deborah Cahill Aubespin, his daughter and stepdaughter.