John Wade, Sr.

Artist and educator John Wade Sr. was born in Wilmington, DE. He earned his BFA from Philadelphia College of Art (now University of the Arts) and his Master of Education and MFA from Tyler School of Art and Architecture at Temple University, Philadelphia.

Upon graduation, Wade was hired as the first African American instructor in the art department at Temple University. He later became a full tenured professor. He taught at Temple University for 42 years and retired in 2009 for health reasons. He gave ahis students a solid artistic foundation of techniques, styles, and ways of working they could use for the rest of their artistic lives as painters, sculptors, printmakers, teachers, and architects. Many of his students went on to become successful artists and art professors.

Wade helped form Brandywine Workshop and Archives, Philadelphia, and was one of the founding board members, creating BWA's constitution and serving as board president. He brought in major artists to the organization including Romare Bearden, James Van Der Zee, and Paul Keene.

Throughout his career as an artist, Wade won many awards, including the Silvermine Arts Center Award, Summer Research Fellowship, Woodmere Endowment Fund Award, and the M. Grumbacher Award.

Wade served as president for Tyler School of Art Alumni Association, Artist Equity Association, and Brandywine Workshop and Archives.
—From Brandywine Workshop and Archives records

Artist Info


Born

1937

Wilmington, DE

Died

October 7, 2013

Gender

Male

Nationality

American

Heritage

African American

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