Carolyn Heller facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Carolyn Heller
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| Born |
Carolyn Frohsin
January 9, 1937 Alexander City, Alabama, United States
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| Died | August 22, 2011 (aged 74) Tampa, Florida, United States
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| Nationality | American |
| Education | H. Sophie Newcomb Memorial College, University of South Florida, Tampa Museum of Art |
| Known for | Painting, decorative |
| Patron(s) | Ronda Storms |
Carolyn Heller (born January 9, 1937 – died August 22, 2011) was an American artist from Florida. She was known for her bright, colorful paintings and decorative art. Her artwork often featured designs inspired by tropical places.
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Becoming an Artist
Carolyn Frohsin was born in Alexander City, Alabama, in 1937. Her parents owned a department store. She loved art from a young age and studied it at H. Sophie Newcomb Memorial College. In 1958, she married Edward Heller.
In 1961, Carolyn and Edward moved to Tampa, Florida. Carolyn quickly became an active part of the local art scene. She took more art classes at the University of South Florida and the Tampa Museum of Art.
Her Creative Work
Carolyn Heller painted on many different things, not just canvases. She painted on chairs and even pool tables! She mostly used acrylic paint, which is a fast-drying paint.
From the 1950s to the 1970s, many of her paintings showed beautiful flowers. Later, in the 2000s, her art became more abstract, meaning it used shapes and colors to express ideas rather than showing real objects. She continued to use bold, bright colors.
Beyond Painting
In the 2000s, Carolyn also started making decorative art. She designed jewelry and textiles (fabrics). She also created serigraphs, which are a type of printmaking. Her art studio was right in her garage! She often painted while watching her favorite TV shows.
To sell her art, Carolyn would host fun "happy hour" events at her home. This allowed people to see her work and buy it. One of her supporters was Ronda Storms, a local leader. Carolyn also worked closely with other famous artists like Syd Solomon and Ida Kohlmeyer.
Later Life and Impact
In 1996, Carolyn joined the public art board of the Hillsborough Arts Council. This group helps bring art to public spaces. She stayed on the board until 2004. Carolyn also supported the Tampa AIDS Network by donating her artworks for their fundraising events.
Carolyn Heller passed away in August 2011. After her death, her family found about 150 of her artworks. They created an online gallery so everyone can see her beautiful creations. They also discovered many prints that had never been shown before. Some of these prints were loaned to a local community center to help teach children about art.
To honor her memory, the Hillsborough Arts Council gives out the Carolyn F. Heller Grant every year. This grant supports new artists and helps art grow in the community.
Art Shows
- Pieces of a Dream, a group show in 2009 at the University of Tampa, Florida.
- A special show of her work (Retrospective) in 2013 at the Tampa Museum of Art, Florida.
Where Her Art Lives
- Hot Flashes is displayed at Tampa General Hospital, Florida.
- Tampa Stars is part of the collection at the Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library System, Florida.
