Robert Edward Weaver Indiana, North Carolina, New York (1913-1991) Circus Graffiti, abstract mixed media / watercolor Signed lower right. The following information was submitted by the artist's son: Born - November 15, 1913 - Peru, Indiana Died - July 18, 1991 - New Bern, North Carolina Education: Peru, Indiana Grade School and High School BFA - Herron School of Art, Art Association of Indianapolis Received scholarships his entire four years at The Herron School Awarded John Armstrong Chaloner Prize for independent study in England, France, and the Low Countries. After these travels he set up a studio in Greenwich Village. Born in Indiana, home to the American Circus Corporation and The Indianapolis "500", 90% of his work in his lifetime was influenced by these two great interests. During WW ll Robert Weaver received a Commission in the United States Navy and served with Air Sea Rescue Squadron VH-3, which won Presidential Recognition for its work during the Okinawa, Iwo Jima and Tokyo air strikes. After his separation from the U. S. Navy he joined the faculty at The Herron School of Art, Indianapolis where he served as Chairperson of Department of Illustration. He retired from teaching at Herron School of Art, now a part of Indiana University, and received his title of Professor Emeritus of Illustration from the Trustees of Indiana University. His Illustrations appeared in Saturday Evening Post - Holiday - Good Housekeeping - Children's Playmate - The Brownie Reader - and Child Life. He executed murals for Eli Lilly Pharmaceutical Company - Methodist Hospital - Riley Tar and Chemical Company, all in Indianapolis; Knightstown Soldiers and Sailors Home, Knightstown, Indiana; Alameda Naval Air Station, Alameda, California. His awards were numerous and spanned over fifty years - - Two Beaux Arts Institute of Design Medals while a student - Julius Hallgarten Prize, National Academy of Design, New York City; as well as top prizes from the Hoosier Salon - Indiana Artists' Club - Indiana State Fair - "500" Festival of Arts Exhibition. Was a consistent exhibitor in Indiana Artists - Mid States Art Exhibition, Evansville -College of Mt. St. Joseph, Cincinnati, Ohio - Society of Illustrators - Wabash Valley Regional - Tippecanoe Regional Art Show, Lafayette. Exhibited by Invitation at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, Carnegie International, Corcoran Gallery in Washington, D.C., and San Francisco World's Fair. He spearheaded the establishment of a community circus in Peru, Indiana to rekindle the area's interest in its rich Circus Heritage. The first Circus was an enormous success and is an annual event in July of each year in Peru. Chosen acts have appeared in Monaco, by invitation. Along with this he established Operation Facelift to encourage the merchants to adopt the circus theme for their storefronts and decor. To finance this project the entire community rose to the occasion and produced A Night With Cole Porter (a native Peruvian). For his many civic efforts he was named Man of the Year by the Peru Daily Tribune and Outstanding Citizen by the Peru Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Weaver was a life member of the Grand Central Art Gallery, New York City. He enjoyed one-man Shows at the Indianapolis Museum of Art (fundraiser) - Indiana State Museum - Murat Shrine Circus Show. Indianapolis - Muscial Arts Center, Indiana Universtity - Wm. H. Block Company Gallery and Indiana National Bank Tower Gallery, Indianapolis and the Bank of the Arts, New Bern, North Carolina. He was particularly honored to have his work Butterfly Ladies (acquired by the Indiana State Museum) included in the exhibition "Center Ring The Artist - Two Centuries of Circus Art," which originated at the Milwaukee Art Museum and traveled to Columbus (Ohio) Museum of Art, the New York State Museum at Albany and the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washingtion, D.C. Included in the exhibit were works by Daumier, Toulouse-Lautrec, Seurat, Picasso, Walt Kuhn and Calder. Posthumously, his works were exhibited at Whitehall at The Villa, Chapel Hill, North Carolina Grand Opening of Antiques and Fine Art Shop and Robert Weaver One Man's World in depth display by Eckert Fine Art of Indianapolis. His works are in many collections including Grand Central Gallery, Kollsman Collection (later owned by Andrew Crispo), New York City - Indianapolis Museum of Art, Indiana State Museum, International Business Machines, Mechanics Laundry, Melvin Simon, all of Indianapolis; Taggart Collection, West Baden, Indiana; Wabash Valley Bank Gallery and YMCA, Peru, Indiana; Craven County Building, New Bern, North Carolina; Fred Pfening ll Collection, Columbus, Ohio, David Levin Collection, Mexico; and The John W. Mecom Collection, Houston, Texas. 35 1/2"H x 35" (frame), 29" x 29" (sight)