Oscar Velasquez
Oscar Velasquez (April 5, 1944-Sept. 10, 2021) was an American artist and muralist.
Personal Life and Education
[edit]Velasquez was born in Pharr, Texas, to migrant farm workers[1]. In 1953, his family moved to Putnam County, Ohio to pick tomotoes[2]. He attended Pandora-Gilboa High School, graduating in 1965. He attended Cooper School of Art in Cleveland on a scholarship. He is the brother of labor union activist Baldemar Velasquez.
Career
[edit]His first professional position was with American Greetings. He worked there for six years, where he was promoted to direct the design department. Seeking greater independence, Velasquez left for a solo career.
Awards and recognition
[edit]Velasquez was a member of the American Watercolor Society. He received the following awards:
- 1973-1974 - Mary S Litt medal
- 1976 - High Winds medal
- 1978 - national juror
- 1981 - Dolphin Fellowship
Collections
[edit]His art is in the following collections:
- Joslyn Art Museum in Omaha, Nebraska
- Erskine College in Due West, South Carolina
- The Henry Ward Ranger Fund, New York
- The Opera House, Abbeville, South Carolina
- Self Memorial Hospital, Greenwood, South Carolina
- Farm Labor Organizing Committee, Toledo
- The Lion and the Lamb Peace Arts Center, Bluffton University, Bluffton, Ohio
Murals
[edit]- 1991 - Iva, South Carolina[2][3][4]
- 1994 - Subotica, Serbia[2]
- 2007 - Findlay, Ohio[2]
- 2010 - Bluffton, Ohio[5]
- 2012 - Kalida, Ohio[6][7]
- 2014 - Findlay, Ohio[2][8]
- 2015 - Findlay, Ohio[9][2]
- 2016 - Macedonia, Ohio[2]
- 2017 - Pandora, Ohio[10]
- 2018 - Twinsburg, Ohio[11]
- 2019 - Independence, Ohio[12]
References
[edit]- ^ "Oscar Velasquez". The Courier. The Courier. Sep 20, 2021. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g Marotta, Eric (July 13, 2016). "Muralist Oscar Velasquez looks for walls to transform in Macedonia". Akron Beacon Journal. Akron Beacon Journal. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
- ^ "Iva Depot Mural". exploresc.org. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
- ^ "Old Iva Depot Mural". hmdb.org. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
- ^ Arnold, Austin (April 14, 2010). "Pardon me boy, is that the Bluffton choo-choo?". The Bluffton Icon. Bluffton Icon Media LLC. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
- ^ "Velasquez mural complete". hometownstations.com. WLIO. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
- ^ "Pioneer Days Mural". hmdb.org. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
- ^ "Mural Celebrates University and Community Partnership". findlay.edu. U Findlay. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
- ^ "Dark Side of the Moon Mural". visitfindlay.com. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
- ^ "Artist working on new mural in Pandora". hometownstations.com. WLIO. July 24, 2017. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
- ^ Freeman, Laura. "Twinsburg mural memorializes military history". beaconjournal.com. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
- ^ Peterson, Erica (Jun 19, 2019). "Historic mural is first step toward revitalizing downtown Independence". Independence Today. ScripType Publishing Inc. Retrieved 27 December 2024.