Marilla Adams facts for kids

Marilla Adams was a talented Canadian artist who lived a very long life, from 1864 to 1966! She was known for her skills in textiles (like weaving) and wood carving. Marilla also dedicated her time to teaching art and helping others.

The Early Life of Marilla Adams

Marilla Adams was born in 1864 in a place called Zorra, Ontario, in Canada. She went to Alma College, which was a special school for women in St. Thomas, Ontario. At Alma College, she studied art with a teacher named Frederic Marlett Bell-Smith. She also studied alongside other artists like Cornelia Saleno and Eva Brook Donly.

Continuing Her Art Education

Marilla loved learning about art. She continued her studies at several different schools. These included the Ontario School of Art, the School of Design in New York, and the Art Association of Montreal. She learned many different art techniques during her time at these schools.

Teaching and Helping Others

After finishing her studies, Marilla Adams became a teacher. For a while, she taught at Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa, in the United States. Later, she traveled to Europe to explore and learn even more about art.

Returning to Canada

Around the time World War I began, Marilla returned to Canada. She decided to live in Montréal, Quebec. In Montréal, she used her artistic talents to help others. She taught weaving and wood carving to soldiers who had been injured during the war. This helped the soldiers learn new skills and find ways to express themselves.

Supporting Her Community

Marilla Adams also cared about helping people in her community. In 1926, she looked into the work of different charity groups in Montréal. She spoke up for the organizations that she felt did the most to help people who were facing difficulties.

Later Life

Marilla Adams passed away in Montréal on November 2, 1966. She lived to be 102 years old!

Adams (center) in Three Artists by Frederic Marlett Bell-Smith, c. 1883. This painting shows three of Bell-Smith's students at Alma College.