The Life and Art of Clifton Wheeler
Born in Hadley, Indiana, Clifton Wheeler was an American Impressionist painter who spent much of his life contributing to the artistic landscape of Indiana. His early development was shaped by private lessons under William Forsyth, with whom he frequently embarked on sketching trips through the countryside. Wheeler's formal education led him to the New York School of Art in 1902, where he studied under several notable figures, including William Merritt Chase, Robert Henri, and Kenneth Hayes Miller. His training was further enriched by time spent studying with Edward Hopper and Rockwell Kent.
Wheeler's career was marked by significant periods of travel and teaching. He traveled to Europe twice to study the Old Masters, including a second trip in 1910. During his career, he served as a teacher at the Herron School of Art and Design until his retirement in 1933, and later taught art courses at Shortridge High School. His stylistic evolution saw his early work reflect an impressionistic approach similar to Forsyth's, while his later compositions became more bold and blocky.
Public Works and Murals
A significant portion of Wheeler's legacy is tied to his contributions to the public art of Indianapolis. He was a participant in the City Hospital mural project, where he created art for the pediatric and men's medical wards. His work on this project included Mother Goose themed murals, such as "Mary, Mary Quite Contrary" and "Simple Simon Pussy Cat," which were commissioned for the L. Strauss and Company Store. While some murals were lost to environmental damage or renovations, fragments like "Women and Children" remain in the collection of the Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Hospital.
Beyond the hospital, Wheeler's public contributions included:
His recognized achievements include receiving the Foulke Prize in 1917 and the Halcomb Prize in 1921.
