Person:Margaret Whittemore (1)

Whittemore, Margaret Evelyn. b. Topeka, Sept. 7, 1897; d. Sarasota, FL, Nov. 24, 1983. Writer. Painter, spec. Kansas scenes and birds. Wood block printer. Lithographer. Daughter of Frances Whittemore. Graduated from Washburn College, Topeka in 1919. Studied at the Art Institute of Chicago from 1920-23, and in the art colony at Taos, NM. Taught art at Bethany College, Lindsborg in 1927. From 1928-35, Whittemore was the editor of The Palette, the national publication of the honorary art fraternity Delta Phi Delta. Whittemore moved from Topeka to Kissimmee, FL, in 1952, spending a number of years in both Short Hills, NJ, and Sarasota, FL, before choosing Sarasota as her home. She illustrated books by other writers, while also writing and illustrating her own. Sketchbook of Kansas Landmarks (1936), her first book, featured drawings and descriptions of historically significant landmarks like the capitol, missions, old trails, homes, bridges and trees. During the 1940s, she illustrated Birds of Kansas and Bird Notes by Harry Rhodes and during the 1950s she wrote and illustrated OneWay Ticket to Kansas and Historic Kansas: A Centenary Sketchbook. Member: Topeka Print Makers; National League of American Pen Women. Exhibitions: Midwestern Artists’ Exhibition, 1923; Midwestern Artists’ Exhibition, 1924; Midwestern Artists’ Exhibition, 1925; Midwestern Artists’ Exhibition, 1933; Kansas Free Fair, 1939; 6th Annual Kansas Artists Exhibition, 1930; 7th Annual Kansas Artists Exhibition, 1931; 8th Annual Kansas Artists Exhibition, 1932; 9th Annual Kansas Artists Exhibition, 1933; 14th Annual Kansas Artists Exhibition, 1938; 15th Annual Kansas Artists Exhibition, 1939; Awards: First prize in 9th Annual Exhibition of American Block Prints, Jan. 1936 for best print by a Kansan. Collections: Spencer Museum of Art Topeka Public Library; Reinbach; Beach Museum; Wichita Public Library; Emporia Library “Notes on Some Kansas Artists,” in Kansas Magazine, 1935; Dawdy 2; WWAA 1, 6, 7; AAA25; Reinbach; Newlin; A&C KS; WKDC; AAA 20/ 22; MAE 1923-25, 1933; AskArt, www.askart.com, accessed Dec. 23, 2005; Kovinick.

1.   Https://kuscholarworks.ku.edu/.