Exhibitions
•Current •Upcoming •Past

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•Harvey Dunn •Native American Art •Marghab Linens •Paul Goble •Recent Acquisitions

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•South Dakota Artists •Oscar Howe •Other

Harvey Dunn ( 1884 - 1952 ) Read Full Bio

Harvey Dunn was born on March 8, 1884 on a homestead farm near Manchester, South Dakota.  The young man’s talent was first recognized by Ada Caldwell, an art instructor at South Dakota Agricultural College (presently South Dakota State University), which Dunn attended during 1901-1902.  Urged by Caldwell, Dunn pursued his artistic studies at the Art Institute of Chicago under the instruction of Howard Pyle, one of America’s most important illustrators. In 1906, after two years with Pyle, Dunn established his own studio in Wilmington, DE and immediately began a successful career in illustration.  In 1915 he opened the Leonia School of Illustration, NJ. Shortly after starting the school, Dunn was tapped into service in World War I as one of eight artist-correspondents with the American Expeditionary Force in Europe. Dunn returned from the War and his artistic career continued to excel. He is remembered as South Dakota’s finest artist; having left a legacy as a war reporter, teacher, and painter of the Plains of his native state.