Magafan, Ethel (1916–1993)
Magafan, Ethel (1916–1993)
American painter and muralist. Born in Chicago, IL, Oct 10, 1916; died 1993; dau. of Petros Magafan, also seen as Peter J. Magafan, and Julia (Bronick) Magafan; twin sister of artist Jenne Magafan; studied at Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center; m. Bruce Currie (artist), June 30, 1946; children: Jenne Magafan Currie.
With sister, was hired by Frank Mechau to work as an assistant on some of his mural projects; commissioned to create 1st mural, Wheat Threshing (1937), for the Auburn, Nebraska, post office; with sister, exhibited a number of easel-size paintings at least 7 times and jointly produced the large-scale mural, Mountains and Snow, for boardroom of the Social Security Building (later known as the Health, Education, and Welfare Building) in Washington, DC; produced murals into her late 60s, for the US Senate Chamber, Recorder of Deeds Building in Washington, DC, and post offices at Wynne, AR, Mudill, OK, and Denver, CO. Received Tiffany Foundation award (1950s), Childe Hassam Purchase award from Academy of Arts and Letters (1970), Altman prize from National Academy of Design, as well as Hallgarten Award, and Edwin Austin Abbey Mural Award (1980).
See also Women in World History.