Erlena Chisolm Bland facts for kids

Erlena Chisolm Bland (born January 18, 1923 – died February 16, 2009) was a talented American artist. She was known for her beautiful paintings and sculptures. Erlena Bland lived a life dedicated to both art and helping others through her work as a librarian.

Early Life and Education

Erlena Chisolm Bland was born in Washington, D.C.. She grew up in the city and attended Dunbar High School. After high school, she continued her education at Howard University. There, she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, which means she studied art in depth.

Later, Erlena Bland decided to learn even more. She went to the University of Maryland, College Park. She earned a master's degree in library science. This degree helped her become a librarian.

Career as a Librarian

For almost 20 years, Erlena Bland worked as a librarian. She helped students at Goding Elementary School in Washington. What's special is that she worked with students who had special education needs. This shows she cared deeply about helping all children learn.

Her Journey as an Artist

Even while working as a librarian, Erlena Bland loved to create art. She used her free time to paint and sculpt. After she retired from being a librarian, she focused even more on her art.

She took art classes to improve her skills. She studied at famous places like the Maryland Institute College of Art and the Corcoran School of Art. She also took classes at the Art League in Alexandria, Virginia. Eventually, she got her own art studio. This was a special place where she could create her artworks.

Art Exhibitions

Erlena Bland's art was shown in many places. She had exhibitions all over the Washington D.C. area. Her work was also displayed in other parts of the country. She showed her art in both solo exhibitions, where only her work was featured, and in group exhibitions with other artists.

Family Life

Erlena Bland was married to Dr. Charles N. Bland. They had two children, a son and a daughter. Together, Erlena and Charles were very creative. They even designed and built their own home! Their house was located on Kalmia Road in Washington.

Later Life

Erlena Chisolm Bland passed away in 2009 at the age of 86. She was buried at Fort Lincoln Cemetery. A funeral service was held at the Dumbarton Chapel on the Howard University campus. Her legacy as an artist and a dedicated librarian continues to inspire.