Encyclopedia Dubuque
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
WHITIS, Martha
WHITIS, Martha. (Aonnori, Japan, June 27, 1933--Altoona, WI, Oct. 25, 2021). Encouraged by her father to pursue science, Martha received a degree and pre-medicine and biology in 1957 which she never used. As her children grew, she took music and piano classes at CLARKE COLLEGE, but switched her interest to art and received a bachelor's degree in 1995. She preferred oil painting, but also studied printmaking. In 1995 three of her woodcuts were among five prints from the United States displayed at the International Triennial Woodcut and Wood Engraving show in Slovakia. Her first one-person show was held in 2000 at the Rocco Buda Arts Gallery at 473 Loras Blvd. (1)
Whitis was instrumental in the development of the DUBUQUE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA and the hiring of Nicholas PALMER. In 1985 she served as president of the Dubuque Symphony Orchestra Auxiliary.
Martha assisted her husband, Peter WHITIS, in founding the local peace chapter "Beyond War" and collaborated on the book entitled Global Fare, a collection of quotations from international personalities mixed with multi-national recipes. In 1986 both were part of the "Mississippi Peace Cruise" which brought 46 citizens of Russia and 127 Americans together on a peace trip down the MISSISSIPPI RIVER. On the cruise a peace petition called the People's Appeal for Peace was drafted. In 1987 the Russians returned to Iowa at the invitation of the Martha and Peter to gather more signatures before the petition was presented at the White House, Kremlin and United Nations on August 8th, the anniversary of the Hirosioma bombing. (2)
In 1990 Dr. and Mrs. Whitis were honored at CLARKE COLLEGE for their Peace and Justice collection donated to the Schrup Library. The collection is an exhaustive reference aid relating to the issues of peace and justice involving the Commonwealth of Independent States.
An accomplished artist, Martha's works were often displayed at The Main Gallery & Studio at 198 Main St. The venue was operated by Whitis and five other women artists who took turns in the front shop and schedules time in the studio behind it. The gallery offered original paintings, collage, jewelry, sculpture, cars and glass etchings for sale. (3) She also exhibited her work at the DUBUQUE MUSEUM OF ART. She was a past board member of the Young Artists Assistance Corps in Dubuque. (4) ---
Source:
1. Voight, Sandye, "An Artist's Travelogue," Telegraph Herald, April 28, 2000, p. 30
2. Riddell, Amy, "Soviet 'Cruisers' to Return to Promote Peace," Telegraph Herald, March 15, 1987, p. 4
3. Voight, Sandye, "Sharing an Arts Gallery," Telegraph Herald, December 27, 2001, p. 26
4. "People of Note," Telegraph Herald, May 30, 1982, p. 9