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Marian Gilmore (1909-1984) - student

A lifelong resident of Ottumwa, Iowa, Marian Gilmore began her art career with classes at the University of Kentucky, where a former local art teacher was head of the campus art department. After moving to New York City, she pursued art studies at the Art Students League and the Phoenix Art Institute, where she focused on commercial art. At the latter, Gilmore studied from 1931-32 under Norman Rockwell and other popular artists. She attended the Stone City Art Colony during its first summer in 1932.

Following night classes at the American Academy in Chicago (1937) and additional instruction at the Art Institute of Chicago, Gilmore won the WPA commission to produce a mural for the town of Corning, Iowa. That mural, “Band Concert,” won the federal-sponsored Forty-Eight States design competition of 1939 and depicts a summer band concert in a small town. Considered a tremendous success by the local citizens, the mural did not "accurately" reflect the town and Gilmore made some minor changes to accommodate the WPA commission requirement. The mural was installed in 1941. Gilmore continued to exhibit professionally, including the Iowa Art Salon (1938).

Among her many honors are several Iowa Art Salon awards and the winning commission for the Corydon, Iowa Post Office, entitled “Volunteer Fire Department” (1942). Gilmore remained active in local art and music organizations, including the Ottumwa Art Club and the Southeast Iowa Symphony. She died in Ottumwa in 1984.

Online Resources for Marian Gilmore:

Raynor, Patricia. “Off the Wall: New Deal Post Office Murals.” 6.4 (Oct-Dec 1997). In EnRoute: The National Postal Museum Membership Newsletter. Available: http://www.postalmuseum.si.edu/resources/6a2q_postalmurals.html

Marion Gilmore

Photo courtesy of The Ottumwa Courier.

When Tillage Begins: The Stone City Art Colony and School
Published online October 2003 by the
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