Ruth Chaney facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ruth Chaney
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| Born | 1908 Kansas City, Missouri
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| Died | 1973 (aged 64–65) |
| Nationality | American |
| Known for | Printmaking |
Ruth Chaney (1908-1973) was an American artist. She was well-known for creating art using a method called printmaking.
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About Ruth Chaney
Ruth Chaney was born in 1908 in Kansas City, Missouri. She made many prints, especially a type called serigraphs. A serigraph is another name for a screen print.
Art for Everyone
Chaney created art for a government program called the Work Projects Administration (WPA). This program helped people find jobs during a difficult time in history. Her art was part of the Federal Art Project, which supported artists.
Ruth Chaney even led a special team that made art for subway stations. This art was designed to be strong and last a long time in busy places. Her work was shown in a 1938 exhibit at the MoMA called "Subway art."
Exhibitions and Recognition
Her art was also featured in a 1940 MoMA show titled American Color Prints Under $10. This exhibition aimed to make beautiful art prints affordable for everyone. Chaney also showed her work at the Dallas Museum of Art in 1944, 1947, and 1951. These shows were organized by the National Serigraph Society.
In 1938, Ruth Chaney was one of the first artists to get special training in silk screen printing. This training came from Anthony Velonis, who led the Federal Art Project's new Silk Screen Unit.
A famous art expert, Carl Zigrosser, wrote about Ruth Chaney in 1941. He said she was a talented artist who was good at many types of printmaking. He especially liked her use of color. He mentioned her serigraphs like Elevated and Girl in Grey. He also noted her ability to create beautiful moods and strong shapes in her art.
Where to See Her Art
Ruth Chaney's artwork is kept in many important museums. You can find her pieces in the collections of:
- the Smithsonian American Art Museum
- the Metropolitan Museum of Art
- the Art Institute of Chicago
- the Philadelphia Museum of Art
- the Museum of Modern Art
- the National Gallery of Art
- the Krannert Art Museum at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
MacDowell Fellowship
In 1942, Chaney received a MacDowell fellowship. This fellowship allowed her to live and work at the MacDowell Colony, a special place where artists can focus on their creative projects.
Ruth Chaney passed away in 1973.
