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[[right margin]] WHO'S IMPORTANT IN ART [[/right margin]]

Proof returned to WHO'S IMPORTANT IN ART, 320 Broadway, New York 7, N. Y. - 1/23/45

CURRY, JOHN STEUART,

Artist, was born near Dunavant, Kansas, November 14, 1897, the son of Smith and Margaret (Steuart) Curry. His Scotch ancestors came to America about 1730 and settled in Pennsylvania, later to South Carolina, Indiana, Illinois and Kansas. He was educated in the Winchester High School, went to the Kansas City Art Institute, 1916, then to the Chicago Art Institute (worked with John Norton and Timmons). He entered Geneva College, Beaver Falls, Pa., 1918, and served with S.A.T.C. In 1923 he married Clara Derrick (died 1932); he married Kathleen Gould Shepherd of Westport in 1934. He has a stepdaughter, Ellen Shepherd.

Mr. Curry began his career in the studio of Harvey Dunn, Tenafly, N.J., 1919, commenced illustrating in 1920. In 1925 he exhibited his "The Fence Builders" in the National Academy and achieved widespread recognition. He went to Paris in 1926 and studied there in the Russian Academy of Basil Schoukhaeff. In 1928 he exhibited "Baptism in Kansas" in the Corcoran Gallery, Washington, D.C., which established him permanent public recognition (Whitney Stipend). He was awarded second prize by the Carnegie International for his "Tornado."

He was Art Teacher at Cooper Union during 1932-34, and at the Art Students' League, New York, during 1932-36. In 1936 he was appointed "Artist in Residence" at the University of Wisconsin thru the Brittingham Trust Fund. He is still teaching at this university.

In 1935 he was on jury of Carnegie International. In 1937 he completed two murals for the Department of Justice ("Westward Migration" and "Justice Defeating Mob Violence"). Completed mural for Department of Justice. Also murals for Department of Interior Building (new), Washington, D.C. and murals for: Kansas State Capitol; Law Building, University of Wisconsin; Biochemistry Building, University of Wisconsin; and First National Bank Building, Madison, Wisconsin.