ROSSITER, Dorothy

ROSSITER, Dorothy. (Dubuque, IA, Aug. 28, 1913--Dubuque, IA, Jan. 8, 2002) Rossiter, daughter of Henry Louis and Violet (Nesler) Bechtel, graduated from DUBUQUE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL in 1931 and the UNIVERSITY OF DUBUQUE in 1935. She furthered her art degree with summer courses at Columbia University in New York City earning a master's degree.

Dorothy returned to Dubuque and taught art in the DUBUQUE COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT from 1935 to 1938 when she became the coordinator of art. She held this position until her retirement in 1976. (1) She was a member of the adjunct faculty of the University of Dubuque from 1951 to 1955.

She met her husband, Paul A. ROSSITER, when, as president of the DUBUQUE CIVIC MUSIC ASSOCIATION, he asked her to help out in soliciting for season ticket sales. They married on Aug. 12, 1961.

A listing of the founding subscribers of the DUBUQUE ART ASSOCIATION has not survived, however the following individuals helped shape its growth in the early to mid 20th century: Kate Keith VAN DUZEE, Louise Herron HALLIBURTON, Adrian Dornbush, Dorothy Rossiter, and Grant WOOD. In the 1950s she was involved with an organization called the "Sketch Club." Individuals were asked to pose for the group and, in return, received sketches of themselves. After her retirement, Rossiter founded the Tuesday Group, an artists' group affiliated with the DUBUQUE MUSEUM OF ART, which met once per week. (2) As part of its centennial celebration, the CARNEGIE-STOUT PUBLIC LIBRARY featured an exhibit of her work in 2001. She was a past president of the Art Educators of Iowa.

Rossiter's artistic skills led to her being the first female recipient of the Achievement Award for the Creative and Performance Arts from the YMCA of Dubuque in 1975. In 1987, Rossiter was one of thirty-two artists who created art using slate roof tiles that once covered ST. LUKE'S UNITED METHODIST CHURCH. Found in the church basement, the tiles were thought to have been used on the roof beginning in 1897 until a new, less heavy roof, was placed on the building during the early 1980s. (3) In 1997 she received the Elisha Darlin Award of Lifetime Achievement. (4) She was a Signature Member of the Iowa Watercolor Society.

Among the numerous displays of her work was the 130 year celebration of the DUBUQUE MUSEUM OF ART. (5)

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Source:

1. Voight, Sandye, "Painter Leaves Mark on Local Arts Canvas," Telegraph Herald, January 8, 2002, p. 1

2. Ibid.

3. Hanson, Lyn, "Tiles Born Again," Telegraph Herald, October 11, 1987, p. 45

4. Ibid.

5. Voight, Sandye, "Collection Point," Telegraph Herald, March 26, 2004, p. 1