Grace Greenwood Ames facts for kids

Grace Greenwood Ames (born January 15, 1905, in Brooklyn, New York – died July 21, 1979, in New York City) was an American artist. She was known for creating large paintings called murals, especially in a style called social realism. She even worked on murals in Mexico with some very famous artists.

When Grace got married, she decided to keep her original family name, Greenwood. She added her husband's name, Ames, to it, so she was known as Grace Greenwood Ames. Later in her life, she was also known as Grace Crampton.

About Grace Greenwood Ames

Grace Greenwood was born in Brooklyn, New York on January 15, 1905. Her parents were Walter Greenwood and Kathryn Boyland. Her father was a painter, and her younger sister, Marion Greenwood, also became an artist.

Grace studied art at the Art Students League of New York, attending classes with her sister. She also traveled to Italy in the 1920s to study art there. In 1929, both Grace and Marion took part in the famous Maverick Festival in Woodstock, New York. This festival was a well-known event for artists and creative people.

Painting Murals in Mexico

From 1933 to 1936, Grace Ames worked on five large murals in Mexico. She helped her sister Marion with these projects. One of their murals was at the Aberlardo L. Rodríguez market in the historic center of Mexico City. Another was at the Museo Regional Michoacano, which was asked for by the Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo in Morelia, Mexico.

Grace Ames also painted murals alongside some of the most famous Mexican mural artists. These included Diego Rivera, José Clemente Orozco, David Alfaro Siqueiros, Pablo O'Higgins, and Leopoldo Méndez. Working with these artists was a big part of her career.

Other Art Projects

Grace Ames also created a mural in the United States. This oil painting on canvas is called Progress of Power. It is located in the post office in Lexington, Tennessee. The mural was finished in 1940 and was commissioned by the Treasury Section of Fine Arts, a government program that supported artists.

Later in her life, Grace Ames decided to stop pursuing an art career. She moved to Woodstock, New York, and used the name Grace Crampton.

Where to See Her Art

Grace Ames's artwork can be found in public art collections. One notable place where her work is kept is the National Gallery of Art.

Exhibitions

• 1940 – PM Competition: The Artist as Reporter, Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), New York City, New York