| de Turczynowicz Hermann, Wanda |
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(1908 – 2001)
Place of Birth: Krakow, Poland History: Wanda de Turczynowicz Hermann was born in Krakow, Poland to a Polish nobleman. She studied in England, Scotland and Connecticut, in La Jolla, Cal. and at the Ontario College of Art in Toronto. She exhibited in all the major cities of western Canada, and did shows that toured California and were shown in Washington D.C. In El Paso, Texas, she exhibited at the Sun Carnival, Beaumont Hospital, and the Woman’s Club Curb Art Shows as well the Phillips Gallery in Washington, D.C. She was an early president of the El Paso Art Association and was a member of the Chicago Polish Artists Club. In 1930 she won honors for a lampshade design in the British Empire Fair, England. The artist met Eliot Hermann in California while she was competing in a man’s ping-pong tournament, and they were married in 1940, beginning her long love affair with – and contributions to - El Paso. She became an American citizen in 1945, relinquishing her polish title of countess, although she retained her family name as her professional signature. For nearly 30 years she had been an active force in the art world of the southwest, one of the founders of the El Paso Art Association, participant in the first Sun Carnival Art Show, winner of numerous awards, first El Paso artist to exhibit in the Museum of Art and History in the Pronaf, Juarez, and teacher of dozens of aspiring young painters. |