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Forgotten Faces: |
The Strouse Family |
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ELVA STROUSE--Art Dept Head -- June 6, 1906 - March 28, 1997
Indianapolis art teacher Elva Strouse had a philosophy that "art should be a
pleasure for both pupils and teachers." Recognizing that many grade school
teachers had to "quadruple" as art, reading, writing and arithmetic
instructors, Strouse created a "first aid kit" for novice art instructors in
1951, which she called "Elva's Tips to Teachers." It consisted of four
packets filled with creative projects for teachers and pupils, such as
posters, blackboard borders and window decorations for classrooms, as well
as step-by-step drawings. Strouse, shown with her kit on Oct. 19, 1951, had
a lifelong passion for art. After graduating from the John Herron Art
Institute, she taught a class at her home for part-time art teachers, gave
chalk talk programs and exhibited oil paintings at the Hoosier Salon. A
teacher for more than 30 years in Wayne Township schools, she retired in
1969 and continued to produce "Elva's Tips" as an annual publication for 40
years. The kits were very successful and were sold throughout the United
States and other countries. In the early '90s, Strouse sold it when she was
no longer able to contribute new artwork. She died in 1997. (Photo by
Indianapolis Star photographer Frank Fisse.) |
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The teacher, Zora Bailey, was born on June 6, 1893 in Huntington, Indiana. She was only 20 years old when she taught this class. She died on May 1, 1971. |
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