Renowned artist Thaddeus Welch (1844-1919) was considered one of California’s foremost landscape painters. Come view five of his paintings and learn about his life on March 7, 2015. Former Turtle Bay History Player, Tom Wolph, dressed in period costume, will perform as the artist and make this interesting historical character come alive.
Did you know?
As a boy, Welch came by wagon train with his family from the Midwest to homestead in Oregon.
Despite his father’s open disapproval of his painting, the early criticism from his peers, and a constant struggle to make ends meet, by the turn of the century, Welch’s artwork garnered notice and his paintings were in demand by the wealthy collectors of the Bay Area.
His most productive years were spent in Marin County in a cottage on the lush, green slopes of Mount Tamalpais with his wife, who also painted.
The Shasta State Historic Park is fortunate to be home to five of his paintings, which demonstrate his growth as an artist. A contemporary of painter William Keith, he and Welch went on a painting excursion to the Pacific Northwest. William Keith gave him lessons in art in exchange for camp chores.
Enjoy the lively and short (25 minute) talk by Tom Wolph in the gallery surrounded by Welch’s paintings and the artwork of his contemporaries.
If you’re going:
Saturday, March 7, 2015
2:00 pm and 2:45 pm performances
Inside the Williamson Lyncoya Smith Gallery at Shasta State Historic Park Courthouse Museum.
Space in the gallery is limited. Reservations are necessary and can be made by calling 243-8194.
Cost is the admission to the gallery, $3 for adults.
– Press Release
