Home - The Project - The Colony - The Artists - Resources - Credits

Leon Zeman (1894-1979) - student

Known as an artist and teacher, Leon Zeman completed painting classes under noted miniaturists and designers at the Art Institute of Chicago. He then returned to Cedar Rapids, where he worked as an art teacher in the local public schools, eventually becoming supervisor of all district art programs. He was a well-known exhibitor at the Iowa Art Salon (1930-31) and at the Iowa Federation of Women’s Clubs (1932). His long friendship with Grant Wood brought Zeman to the Stone City art colony in 1932.

The original location for the Turner Mortuary in Cedar Rapids, Mansfield House, was given to Grant Wood in the late 1920s. To foster a community art program, Wood rented the house to male artists and musicians, including Zeman, who rented part of the second floor to run the Cedar Rapids Art Association’s school. The artists, known as the Fine Art Studio Group, were dubbed the “Studio House” by Wood and local residents. Zeman advocated life model classes for painting, and once Wood agreed to the idea, volunteers wore flesh-colored bathing suits to maintain propriety. However, the suits did not prevent the local police from visiting the house on several occasions over charges of nude models. Leon was also a member of the Garlic Club, a lunch group (organized by Wood) that met at the Travel Inn, Cedar Rapids to share stories. Zeman eventually left Studio House when he was to be married, wanting to pursue more steady work.

Zeman continued teaching in Cedar Rapids (1928-1932) and led painting classes for the Tri-City Art League in Davenport. One of Zeman’s students at Washington High School, Conger Metcalf, attended the art colony and became a professional artist. While exhibiting, Zeman completed commissions for the Tama Indian Reservation (Tama, IA) and attended the 1932 session of the Stone City Art Colony. In the late 1930s, he spent three years in commercial artwork and began to do clay modeling. He relocated to Richmond, California in 1943 following his service in World War II as a sergeant in the Motor Transportation Corps.

Zeman remained in Richmond, employed as a Navy training consultant for fifteen years, stationed at Treasure Island, California. Active in veteran’s associations, Zeman died in Richmond in April 1979.

Online Resources for Leon Zeman: None

Leon Zeman - From the large group photo of The 1932 Stone City Art Colony and School found on the Artists: 1932 page.

When Tillage Begins: The Stone City Art Colony and School
Published online October 2003 by the
Busse Library,
Mount Mercy College
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Telephone: 319-368-6465
Fax: 319-363-9060
Email: library@mtmercy.edu

Researcher & Author: Kristy Raine
Library Director: Marilyn Murphy
Editor & Web Designer: Linda Scarth
©Busse Library 2003