Author: CT State Library

 Peterson, Fred (?)In 1936 and 1937 Fred Peterson completed fifteen works for the Index of American Design. He was living in Bridgeport, Connecticut at that time. Nothing else is known about him. Source: WPA Artist’s Work Card.Works of Art Listed in CT Archives' database from Fred Peterson:Pewter Teapot:black watercolorPewter Teapot:black watercolorPewter Toy Porringer:bla...

Pavia, Phillip (1912-2005) Phillip Pavia was one of the founders of the New York School of abstract expressionism, often called the first “American” style of art. He was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut in 1912, the son of a stone cutter and carver. He attended the Yale School of Fine Arts, dropped out, and then went to New York City to attend classes at the Art Student League....

Parys, Alfred (1913-1969) Alfred Parys was born in Rockville, Connecticut in 1913. He lived for over forty years in New Britain and the last fifteen years of his life in Newington. For the WPA Federal Arts Project, he was assigned to the Index of American Design under the supervision of John Matulis. In 1941 Matulis, Martha Elliot, and Parys gained some national renown when Fr...

Partyka, Martin (1907-1954)Martin Partyka was born in New Britain, Connecticut in 1907 or 1908. He completed high school and then studied art and architectural engineering at the Pratt Institute from 1927-1930. He later wrote that Arthur Gupthill and Ernest Watson were influential teachers. Partyka taught mechanical and architectural drawing at evening school. From 1936-1940 he...

Palmer, Delos (1890-1960)Delos Palmer was born in 1890. He worked for the WPA Federal Arts Project starting in 1936. Prior to that, he had worked for the Public Works of Art Project. He completed three easel works and two murals for the WPA. He taught several art classes at Burdick Jr. High School. His murals were allocated to Willard School in Stamford, Connecticut. He left th...

Paddock, Willard D. (1873-1956) Willard Paddock was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1873. He attended public grammar schools and a year and a half of high school. He studied art at the School of Fine Arts at Pratt Institute, and at the Ecole de Beaux Arts and the Academy Collarossi, both in Paris. At various times in his life Paddock studied in Florence, Rome, and Naples. In 190...

Pace, Cano (?)In 1941 Cano Pace, who lived in Waterbury, Connecticut, sculpted a plaster statue entitled, Leaping Frogs.Source: WPA Artist’s Work Card.Works of Art Listed in CT Archives' database from Cano Pace:Leeping Frogs [sic]:plasterPace, Cano

North, Lois (1908-1988) Lois North was born in New Haven, Connecticut on May 21, 1908. She attended grade school in New Haven before going on to four years of Mrs. Day’s Private Girls’ School as well as Columbia Summer School. She graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Yale School of Fine Arts in 1930. Before working for the WPA Federal Arts Project, she worked for th...

Nichols, Spencer Baird (1875-1950) Spencer Baird Nichols was born on February 13, 1875. He spent his childhood in Washington, D.C. He attended classes at the Corcoran School of Art and the Washington Art Students League. At the age of 17, he received a position as Instructor of Illustration at the League. He worked for the Geological Survey and the National Museum. Before th...

Nelson, Ralph Lewis (1885-1967)Ralph Lewis Nelson was born on February 2, 1885, in Coal City, Illinois. After his mother died when he was two and a half years old, he was raised by his aunts and uncles. He attended Baptist College in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and it was there that he received his first formal art training. He also studied commercial art. He studied art at the Clevel...