Cheryl Ellsworth Lawther (1911-1975) -- student

Born to a prominent, Dubuque, Iowa family in 1901, Cheryl Ellsworth started sculpting figures at the age of ten, while supported by her parents, who purchased special clay from Chicago. Summers at the family's Connecticut lake cottage found a teenage Cheryl creating her first, significant projects. Obviously demonstrating serious talent but lacking a local teacher, Ellsworth attended the National Cathedral School in Washington, D.C. and then received additional training at the University of Wisconsin. Ellsworth attended the 1932 session of the Stone City Art Colony. Her later relocation to New York City in the 1930s offered opportunities for advanced study. Ellsworth immediately joined the Clay Club (NYC), where she was taught and mentored by established sculptors. While trying to establish herself financially, Ellsworth taught art at the Birch-Wathen School, a private academy. Later, her international studies in Paris and in Brazil were followed by owning a personal studio for ten months in Rio de Janeiro.

Ellsworth returned to New York City, married Robert Emerson Lawther there in 1938, and continued to explore various media in wood, stone, steel, terra cotta, and bronze. The artist considered her work as "realist" in scope, frequently used animals as subjects, and exhibited widely. Significant shows featuring Lawther's sculptures occurred at the National Design Center (NYC), Argent Galleries (NYC), the Sculpture Center (NYC), the National Sculpture Society (NYC), and the Pennsylvania Academy of Art. She was later employed at the New York Public Library and was living in New York City at the time of her death in 1975.

"Young Man." n.d. (steel) 25.5x5x5.5 in. Dubuque Museum of Art, Gift of Charlotte Robinson. 87.05.12b.