In the Spring 2020 Newsletter, we highlighted the approval of permanent IU Historical marker on the Indiana University (Bloomington) campus celebrating T.C. Steele’s role at the university as “Honorary Professor of Painting” (1922-1926).
This marker program is part of the IU Bicentennial Celebration during the 2019-2020 academic year.
We are very pleased to announce the installation is complete and we encourage you to visit the marker installed outside Franklin Hall, the former site of Steele’s campus studio, which was located on the top floor. Steele used this studio space from 1923 until his death in 1926. At the time Steele’s studio was located in this building, it was the University Library.
The T.C. Steele Campus Studio Marker is located in the grassy area, just off the public sidewalk on N. Indiana Avenue, between E. Kirkwood and E. 6th Street. The Sample Gates (gateway to campus) are less than 50 years away to the north of the marker and Dunn Meadow is just to the south of the marker.
T.C. Steele became friends of IU President William Lowe Bryan when he sat for his portrait. President Bryan proposed to the Trustees in 1922 they consider a new honorary role for Steele at the university stating:
“The arts are as important to the University as scholarship.”
The Trustees voted to approve this position of Honorary Professor of Painting and Steele became the first artist in residence.
The Indiana University Memorial Union has acquired over 75 of Steele’s paintings and visitors can see many on display throughout the building.