LaVerne Krause facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
LaVerne Krause
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| Born |
LaVerne Irene Erickson
July 21, 1924 |
| Died | May 6, 1987 (aged 62) |
| Education | Museum Art School University of Oregon |
| Known for | Educator, studio artist and arts activist; national president of Artists Equity |
| Spouse(s) | Labrecht Gerhard Krause |
| Awards |
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| Memorial(s) | LaVerne Krause Gallery |
LaVerne Erickson Krause (1924–1987) was a talented American artist. She started the printmaking program at the University of Oregon. For twenty years, she taught art there. During her life, she created over ten thousand paintings and prints! LaVerne also worked hard to help other artists. She fought for better working conditions for them. She even led a national group called Artists Equity. People remember her as a great teacher, artist, and activist.
Early Life and Learning
LaVerne Krause was born in Portland, Oregon. When she was just six weeks old, her great aunt and uncle adopted her. They raised her on a farm near Portland.
LaVerne earned an art scholarship to the University of Oregon in Eugene. During her summer breaks, she worked hard. She scraped rust off ships at a shipyard. Later, she operated a blueprint machine. She graduated from college in 1946. At the University of Oregon, she learned from a teacher named Jack Wilkinson. She felt he was her best teacher ever. She also took classes and later taught at the Museum Art School in Portland.
In 1946, after college, she married Labrecht Gerhard Krause. They had known each other since elementary school. They had two sons and a daughter.
Becoming an Artist
LaVerne Krause's art was first shown in a public art show in 1949. This was at the Portland Art Museum. By 1951, she was taking more art classes. Her first art gallery show was in Portland. In 1952, she had her very own art show at the Portland Art Museum.
In 1954, LaVerne and her family moved to Eugene. There, she became active in a group called Artists Equity. This group helps artists. Two years later, they moved back to Portland. LaVerne became very interested in making art using woodcuts and etching. By 1958, she was focused on printmaking.
In 1965, her former teacher, Jack Wilkinson, invited her to teach. She joined the faculty at the University of Oregon. She started the printmaking program there. At that time, she was the only woman in the art department.
LaVerne also worked to help women and artists. She was part of a university committee for women. The governor of Oregon even asked her to join a council for the arts. This led to the creation of the Oregon Arts Commission. In 1981, she helped start the Northwest Print Council.
LaVerne Krause taught at the University of Oregon from 1966 to 1986. She was known for inspiring her art students. She created more than ten thousand prints and paintings during her life.
She was a founding member of the Oregon chapter of the Artists Equity Association. She served as its president several times. She was even the national president of Artists Equity from 1969 to 1970. People said she was an activist for women and artists before it was popular. LaVerne Krause passed away in 1987 at age 62.
Art Style
LaVerne Krause's art style changed over time. By 1959, she began using a style called abstract expressionism. This means her art showed feelings and ideas rather than realistic pictures.
She used many different colors, from bright purples and reds to soft pastels. She often used colors in repeating patterns. LaVerne believed that light and color were key to showing the mood of her art. Her early paintings sometimes showed bridges or buildings. Later, her art became simpler. She used color and light to share her artistic vision.
Awards and Legacy
LaVerne Krause received many honors for her work. In 1964, she won a special art prize. In 1980, she received the Oregon Governor's Art Award. This is the highest honor an artist can get in Oregon.
In 1991, the University of Oregon honored her. They created the LaVerne Krause Gallery in Lawrence Hall. This gallery shows artwork made by students throughout the school year.
See also
- University of Oregon School of Architecture and Allied Arts
