Magdalena (Welty) Tolson and Norman Tolson
Artists - Educators - Civic Leaders
"Two New Teachers At The Fine Arts"
The Headline above the above picture comes from an article in the Kansas City Star Newspaper dated August 15, 1920. The following information is taken from that newspaper article: 'Norman Tolson and Mrs. Tolson, mural painters, have been engaged to teach in the departments of poster design and decoration in the Kansas City Fine Arts Institute. Mr. Tolson has lived in Kansas City before, coming from England and beginning his art training here 15 years ago. He went from here to Chicago where he studied four years in the Chicago Art Institute. In Munich he studied for figure work, portrait and design, under Jauk and Heyman, and in London with David Miller, a poster artist of wide reputation.
Mr. Tolson opened a studio in Chicago five years ago. His first commission was to restore the Japanese pavilion in Jackson Park. His decorations in the roof garden of the La Salle Hotel have for their theme "The Midsummer Night's Dream." He is now working on fifty two panels for a large Chicago restaurant.
In 1917, Mr. Toslon won the Edward Butler prize at the Chicago Art Institute. His posters, known all over the United States, indicate he is fond of animal paintings, and his paintings of the jaguar and other wild creatures adorn the wall's of many men's clubs.
Mrs. Tolson took special training in interior decoration after completing the course at the Chicago Art Institute. She has been associated with her husband in several large decorative schemes.
Mr. and Mrs. Tolson, who are enthusiastic over the outlook for a great school in Kansas City, are now at a lake in Michigan with their two children and are expected here in time for the opening of the fall tern in the new home of the fine Arts Institute.'
In a related article, which appeared in the September 4, 1920 Fort Wayne (Indiana) News and Sentinel, it states that Mr. and Mrs. Norman Tolson formerly of Fort Wayne have been engaged to teach in the departments of poster design and decoration in the Kansas City Fine Arts Institute. Mrs. Tolson is now here on a few days visit.
About two years ago Mr. Tolson painted a picture of Miss Josephine Henderson, of Columbia avenue, which is a masterpiece and has brought forth much favorable comment.
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This is a copy of a drawing done by Norman Tolson while he was working on a book, The Life of Birds, by his brother-in-law, Joel Carl Welty
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View some of the many works of Magdalena Welty Tolson and Norman Tolson
| An Exhibition of Religious Art by Artists of Chicago and Environs |
| March 24 – April 15, 1931 included works by both Magdalene (Welty) Tolson and Norman Tolson |
| each chapter is well illustrated with drawings by the late Norman Tolson |
| Art Institute of Chicago presents a collection Exhibition History of The Art Institute, 1910-1919 |
| Posters by Norman Tolson May 4-June 7, 1914 |
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From a 1966 Greeting by Magdalena Welty Tolson it states in part "The joy and mystery of Christmas can be seen in the happy faces of children. We get a glimpse of angels in the star-filled eyes of adorable tots. Even dour-faced persons mellow near them. See the intricate art created by her in the view of the Community Church of 1961below. |
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The Strange Case of Eric Marotté; A Modern-Historical Problem-Romance of Chicago, by John Irving Pearce, Illustrated by Norman Tolson .......Published at Chicago: [Press of P. F. Pettibone & Company,] Nineteen Hundred and Thirteen. 366p. |
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Picture below by Artist Norman Tolson signature lower left corner N. Tolson |
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Carlson, Bernice
Wells. The junior party book.
illus by Magdalena Tolson.
Abingdon-Cokesbury c1939. games; parties [Peter Rabbit
party, Daniel Boone party, Robin Hood party, ones for holidays,
etc, etc] |
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Drawing (left) and message (above) created by Magdalena Tolson
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Obituary February 1961
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