John Henry Waddell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Henry Waddell
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Waddell in March 2007
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| Born | February 14, 1921 |
| Died | November 27, 2019 (aged 98) |
| Nationality | American |
| Spouse(s) | Elizabeth Owen Ruth Holland |
John Henry Waddell (February 14, 1921 – November 27, 2019) was an American artist. He was known for his amazing sculptures and paintings. He also spent many years as an educator, teaching art to others. You might know him best for his sculpture called That Which Might Have Been. This important artwork is a memorial for four girls. They sadly died in a bombing in 1963 at the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama.
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Early Life and Education
John Waddell was born in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1921. When he was ten, his family moved to Evanston, Illinois. There, he started learning art at the Katherine Lord Studio. By the age of 16, he was already teaching art classes himself!
In 1939, he finished high school at Evanston Township High School. Then, he moved to Chicago to study art more. He went to the School of the Art Institute.
Family and Military Service
In 1942, Waddell married his first wife, Elizabeth Owen. They had three sons together: Sean Owen, Seamus, and Seanchan. America entered World War II around this time. John worked at a factory that made parts for airplanes.
His art studies were paused when he joined the US Army from 1943 to 1945. During the war, he helped by painting murals that gave people hope. After the war, he used the GI Bill to return to the School of the Art Institute. He earned two Master's Degrees there. Later, he received an honorary doctorate from the National College of Education in Chicago.
At the Art Institute, John met another artist named Ruth Holland. They got married in 1949. Ruth often appeared in John's paintings and sculptures. John also became a main inspiration for Ruth's art. They stayed married until John's death in 2019. They had two more sons, Lindsey and William, and a daughter, Amy, who became a filmmaker.
Art Career and Teaching
John Waddell started showing his artwork in solo exhibitions as early as 1942. Over six decades as a professional artist, he had many, many shows.
His teaching career began in 1947. He taught evening art classes for adults in Chicago. He also taught art and art education at the National College of Education from 1949 to 1955. In 1955, he became the head of art education at the IIT Institute of Design. While in Chicago, Waddell created a special art program. It was for students with Down's Syndrome and other learning challenges at the Orthogenic School.
In 1957, Waddell moved his family to Arizona. He became the head of Art Education at Arizona State College. This school is now known as Arizona State University. He stopped teaching at ASU in 1964. This allowed him to focus all his time and energy on creating his own artwork.
In 2007, some of Waddell's life-sized bronze sculptures were stolen. This was likely because of the high value of the metal.
Later Life
John Waddell passed away on November 27, 2019. He was 98 years old.
Selected Public Artworks
Many of John Waddell's sculptures are on display in public places. This means people can see and enjoy them every day.
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Dancer in Motion (1988).
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Waddell with his work, That Which Might Have Been, Birmingham 1963, cast in 1964.
Here are some of his well-known public sculptures:
- Dance Mother (Ruth) (1962) - Phoenix Art Museum, Phoenix, Arizona
- Dance Daughters (1963) - Yuma Art Center, Yuma, Arizona
- That Which Might Have Been: Birmingham 1963 (1964) - Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Phoenix; George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center, Phoenix
- Family (1967) - Maricopa County Building, Phoenix, AZ
- Past and Present (1968) – Glendale Community College, Glendale, Arizona
- Dance (1968 to 1974) - Downtown Phoenix, AZ
- Marlo Seated (1977) - Phoenix Public Library, Phoenix AZ
- Seated Flute Player (1979) - Weinstein Center for the Performing Arts, Evanston, Illinois, and University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona
- Apogee & Momentum (1980 - 1988) - U.S. Tennis Association, Flushing Meadows, New York
- Welcoming Muse - Robert Mondavi Winery, Oakville, California
- I Am That I Am (1982) - Congregation Beth Israel (Scottsdale, Arizona)
- Seated Flute Player & Harpist - Ravinia Park, Chicago
Awards and Recognition
John Waddell received an important award for his work.
- He was inducted into the Performing and Broadcast Arts Hall of Fame at The Herberger Theater in Phoenix in 2001.
