George “Papa” Tutt received his master’s in art from the University of Missouri and his bachelor’s in economics from Westminster College. He taught at the college and university levels for approximately 35 years. During this time, he served 27 years as the chairman of the Department of Art and 25 years as the head of the Division of Fine Arts for both William Woods and Westminster Colleges. In May, 1997, he left the teaching profession to continue his work as a professional artist.

In March, 2001, Papa Tutt was inducted into the renown Churchill Fellows as the only painter in England or America to be so honored. He has received numerous honors including: Who’s Who Among Artists in the Midwest, American Artists of Renown, Outstanding Young Men of America, Delta Phi Delta Honorary in Art, and the Missouri Representative to the Southern Watercolor Society. Papa holds signature membership in the National Watercolor Society, Missouri Watercolor Society, and the International Society of Acrylic Painters. He also holds signature membership in the prestigious Philadelphia Water Color Society with such famous artists as Sargent, Picasso, Parrish, Andrew Wyeth, N.C. Wyeth, George Bellows, and Violet Oakley.

Papa Tutt was selected three times to serve as sole evaluator of the University of Missouri-Columbia’s undergraduate art program. During his teaching years he received the Students’ Distinguished Professor Award, Professors’ Recognition Award, and the Centennial Fellow Award from William Woods College (University). In July, 2003 he achieved signature status in the National Acrylic Painters Associations of America and England (now the International Society of Acrylic Painters). As a result, his name was recorded in the archives of the Tate Museum in London, England with other NAPA signature artists.

Papa Tutt’s paintings have been exhibited in 307 international and national exhibitions. Previous first place success in professional competitive exhibitions include: 1995 International Exhibition, New Jersey; the Missouri 50 Exhibition; the 51st Lake Worth Open Professional, Florida; the Open Professional Exhibition, Missouri; Professional Invitational, Missouri. He also received the Winsor and Newton Painting Award at the Salmagundi Club, 5th Ave, New York City; Louis Armour Memorial Award at the 44th National Exhibition of Contemporary Realism, Massachusetts. He has won numerous other painting awards including the Honorable Mention at the 26th Annual Southern Watercolor Society Exhibition. Papa has had numerous one-man shows including the Albrecht Kemper Museum of Art, St. Joseph and the Winston Churchill Museum and Library in Fulton, Missouri. His paintings are in such collections as the Coca-Cola Company of Guadalajara, Mexico.
He has acted as judge for numerous exhibitions and given demonstrations/workshops in many areas of the country. In 2002, Papa served as the keynote speaker, judge, and workshop instructor for the Association of Nebraska Art Clubs Convention in Omaha, Nebraska.

He is the founder of the 409 member Missouri Watercolor Society and is currently its president. He also founded Watercolor Studio, the magazine of the Missouri Watercolor Society, and is a cofounder of the national award winning Midwest Art magazine (no longer in publication). Papa has 29 articles on art published
He has served on many committees including: Missouri Craftsman Council; Winston Churchill Committee on Art; Mid-Missouri Colleges and Universities on Art (chairman); Missouri Arts Council (regional advisor); Planning and Zoning, City of Fulton; and two Presidential Screening Committee(s), William Woods College (University).