Hannah Tompkins (artist) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hannah Tompkins
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| Born | January 17, 1920 New York City, United States
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| Died | October 25, 1995 (aged 75) Clearwater, Florida, United States
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| Known for | Painting, printmaking |
| Movement | Cubism |
Hannah Tompkins (born January 17, 1920 – died October 25, 1995) was an American artist. She was mostly known for her many artworks based on the famous writings of William Shakespeare. Her oil paintings about Shakespeare are even listed in a special book.
She began painting seriously in the mid-1960s. At that time, she was teaching art at Ramapo Community College in New York. Later, in 1979, she opened her own art space called the Shambles Gallery in Santa Cruz, California. In 1984, she opened the Shakespeare Art Museum in Ashland, Oregon.
Early Life and Art Journey
Hannah Tompkins was born in a neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York. Her parents were immigrants from Russia and Poland. She was the third youngest of eight children. Hannah found her love for Shakespeare when she was a teenager. This happened while she was living in different foster homes. She had been placed in a children's home when she was a baby.
In 1937, she finished Girls Commercial High School in New York City. She earned an Art Diploma there. During the Great Depression and World War II, she became involved in social movements. She married another artist named Irving Fierstein.
In 1948, Hannah and Irving helped create Harmon Park in Croton-on-Hudson, New York. This was a community for ten families of artists and architects. They wanted a creative and modern place to live in the suburbs. Hannah and Irving built a house there and raised their four children. After they divorced in 1964, Hannah focused on her life as an artist. She lived in many different places, including New York, Florida, Mexico, California, and Oregon. She kept creating art until she passed away from cancer at age 75.
Art Exhibitions
Hannah Tompkins showed her art in many places. Here is a list of some of her exhibitions:
- 1964 - NYU Summer Theater, Tuxedo, New York; Tappan Zee Playhouse, Nyack, New York; with Selma Gubin at Sloatsburg Inn, Sloatsburg, New York; with a group show at Clarksville Galleries, West Nyack, New York; Carnegie Hall, NYC, New York
- 1965 - With a group show at Clarksville Galleries; a solo show at Sterling Forest, Tuxedo, New York; a group show at Rockland Community College, New York; a solo show at Ithaca College Music Bldg, New York; a solo show at Rockland Community College, New York
- 1967 - A solo show at Jordan Marsh, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida; a solo show at Parker Playhouse, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
- 1968 - A solo show at Jordan Marsh, West Palm Beach, Florida
- 1969 - Las Olas Galleries, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
- 1973 - Exhibitions and talks at the Univ of Texas (Austin); Bowmer Theater in Ashland, Oregon Shakespeare Festival; Newman Hall, Berkeley, California
- 1983 - Stevenson College Library, UC, Santa Cruz, California
