Oscar Velasquez
Oscar Velasquez (April 5, 1944 – September 10, 2021) was an American artist and muralist.
Personal life
Velasquez was born in Pharr, Texas, to migrant farm workers.[1][2] In 1953, his family moved to Gilboa, Ohio, to pick tomatoes.[3] He attended Pandora-Gilboa High School, graduating in 1965. He attended Cooper School of Art in Cleveland on a scholarship.
He married his wife, Pam Szymkowski, in December 1972. He is the brother of labor union activist Baldemar Velasquez.
Career
After graduation from Pandora-Gilboa High School, Oscar received a scholarship to attend the Cooper Institute of Art in Cleveland, Ohio. Upon graduation, he was hired by the American Greeting Card Company. While he rose to direct the design department in 6 years, he wanted more freedom to do the art he desired to do, so he sought a solo career.[4]
He was the author of two books, “Sketch of the South”, sketches of homes and scenery from the South, “Sketches of Homes”, which included homes in Bluffton, Ohio. He was hired by the art director for the filming of Sleeping with The Enemy. Oscar was also a musician who entertained in restaurants and night clubs.[4]
As a member of the American Watercolor Society, his art was recognized and awarded by many academies and institutions. His art is displayed in various museums as well.[4]
Awards and recognition
Velasquez received the following awards:
- 1973-1974 – 'Mary S. Litt' medal
- 1976 – 'High Winds' medal
- 1978 – National Juror
- 1981 – Dolphin Fellowship
Collections
His art is in the following collections:
- Joslyn Art Museum in Omaha, Nebraska
- Erskine College in Due West, South Carolina
- The Henry Ward Ranger Fund in New York
- The Opera House in Abbeville, South Carolina
- Self Memorial Hospital in Greenwood, South Carolina
- Farm Labor Organizing Committee in Toledo, Ohio
- The Lion and the Lamb Peace Arts Center at Bluffton University
Murals
- 1991 – Iva, South Carolina – "Iva Depot"[3][5][6]
- 1991 – Pandora, Ohio[7]
- 1994 – Subotica, Serbia[3]
- 1995 – Bluffton, Ohio – "A World of Youth, Hope and Peace"[8]
- 1995 – Delphos, Ohio – "Early Days of the Miami Erie Canal"[9][10]40°50′47″N 84°20′23″W / 40.84649803613644°N 84.33973231807136°W
- 2007 – Toledo, Ohio – "Our Lady of Guadalupe"[11][12]41°38′20″N 83°32′54″W / 41.638807953099054°N 83.54845915602219°W
- 2007 – Findlay, Ohio – "Veteran's Memorial"[3] 41°02′39″N 83°39′02″W / 41.044224°N 83.650465°W
- 2009 – Leipsic, Ohio[13]
- 2009 – Ottawa, Ohio – "Celebration of Progress"[14][15]41°01′10″N 84°02′50″W / 41.019370135843246°N 84.04721021854309°W
- 2010 – Bluffton, Ohio – "Main Street"[16]
- 2011 – Miller City, Ohio[17]
- 2012 – Kalida, Ohio – "Pioneer Days"[18][19]40°58′54″N 84°12′06″W / 40.981666°N 84.201536°W
- 2014 – Findlay, Ohio – "We Are Findlay"[3][20]
- 2014 – Columbus Grove, Ohio – "St. Anthony Walking"[21]
- 2015 – Findlay, Ohio – "Dark Side of the Moon"[22][3]
- 2015 – Findlay, Ohio – "Starry Night"[23]
- 2016 – Macedonia, Ohio – "Longwood Lake"[3][24]
- 2017 – Pandora, Ohio – "Riley Creek"[25]
- 2018 – Twinsburg, Ohio[26]
- 2019 – Independence, Ohio[7]
References
- ^ "Oscar Velasquez". The Courier. The Courier. Sep 20, 2021. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
- ^ Hohman, Darin. "Oscar Velasquez - Maker of Murals". youtube.com. Dark Horse Productions. Retrieved 11 January 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g Marotta, Eric (July 13, 2016). "Muralist Oscar Velasquez looks for walls to transform in Macedonia". Akron Beacon Journal. Akron Beacon Journal. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
- ^ a b c Velasquez, Oscar. "Oscar Velasquez Obituary". Ferfolia Funeral Home.
- ^ "Iva Depot Mural". exploresc.org. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
- ^ "Old Iva Depot Mural". hmdb.org. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
- ^ a b Peterson, Erica (Jun 19, 2019). "Historic mural is first step toward revitalizing downtown Independence". Independence Today. ScripType Publishing Inc. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
- ^ "Art on campus". bluffton.edu. Bluffton University. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
- ^ "Velasquez gives mural a touch up". Delphos Herald. August 27, 2014. Retrieved 10 January 2025.
- ^ "A Day in Van Wert & Delphos Ohio". ohiobucketlist.com. Retrieved 10 January 2025.
- ^ Smith, Jeffrey. "Catholic Architecture and History of Toledo, Ohio". catholictoledo.blogspot.com. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
- ^ "NFWM's Board Meeting & FLOC Convention". nfwm.org. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
- ^ "OH Leipsic - Mural". flickr.com. Retrieved 10 January 2025.
- ^ Thibaut, Ray. "Ottawa Celebration of Progress". flickr.com. Retrieved 10 January 2025.
- ^ Wiley Wolf, Jeannie (February 28, 2023). "Ottawa artist completes agriculture mural". The Courier. Retrieved 16 January 2025.
- ^ Arnold, Austin (April 14, 2010). "Pardon me boy, is that the Bluffton choo-choo?". The Bluffton Icon. Bluffton Icon Media LLC. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
- ^ Prince, Darlene (October 3, 2011). "Velasquez painting life in northwest Ohio". The Crescent News. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
- ^ "Velasquez mural complete". hometownstations.com. WLIO. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
- ^ "Pioneer Days Mural". hmdb.org. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
- ^ "Mural Celebrates University and Community Partnership". findlay.edu. U Findlay. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
- ^ "St. Anthony School Mural Complete". hometownstations.com. Retrieved 10 January 2025.
- ^ "Dark Side of the Moon Mural". visitfindlay.com. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
- ^ "Starry Night mural". visitfindlay.com. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
- ^ "Muralist Oscar Velasquez". youtube.com. Northfield News Leader. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
- ^ "Artist working on new mural in Pandora". hometownstations.com. WLIO. July 24, 2017. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
- ^ Freeman, Laura. "Twinsburg mural memorializes military history". beaconjournal.com. Retrieved 27 December 2024.