Charles Umlauf Sculpting Spirit of Communication [Photograph]

Name/Title

Charles Umlauf Sculpting "Spirit of Communication" [Photograph]

Description

A 1939 press photo of Charles Umlauf sculpting the "Spirit of Communication" for the Morton, Illinois Post Office.

Context

In 1941 Umlauf joined the new art department of the University of Texas as instructor in sculpture, and moved his family to Austin. He served on the faculty for forty years. Umlauf was considered a tough but caring teacher, and received a Teaching Excellence Award. He was known for a crushing handshake, which was often accompanied by a wide smile. In the early years of the art department student clay works were fired in a kiln that could reach a temperature of 3,000 degrees. The kiln was located in a wooden barracks building used during World War II. Umlauf would climb up into attic with a fire extinguisher to ensure that the building would not burn down as the student works were fired.

Category

Education
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