Today in Wheeling History: December 29--Marilyn Hughey Phillis, a renowned watermedia artist and educator who made significant contributions to the Wheeling arts community and was known nationwide for her innovative techniques and workshops, passed away (2022).
Marilyn Hughey Phillis was born on February 1, 1927, in Kent, Ohio. She attended Kent Public Schools and later earned bachelor's degrees in bacteriology and chemistry from The Ohio State University in 1949. After graduation, she worked as an analytical chemist at Battelle Laboratories in Columbus, Ohio, focusing on national defense matters. Phillis had a lifelong passion for art, which she pursued alongside her scientific career.
In 1984, Phillis moved to Wheeling, West Virginia, with her late husband, Richard. She quickly became a prominent figure in the local arts community. Phillis was a founding member and former president of the Ohio Watercolor Society, and she received the Jim Brower Lifetime Achievement Award for her contributions to the field. Her work as a watermedia artist earned her national recognition, and she was an elected member of the American Watercolor Society.
Phillis authored the best-selling book "Watermedia Techniques for Releasing the Creative Spirit" and led numerous workshops across the country, sharing her expertise and creative vision with students. Her art is displayed in many homes and establishments nationwide. Phillis passed away on December 29, 2022, in Northbrook, Illinois, at the age of 95. She left behind a legacy of artistic excellence and generosity, having inspired countless students and colleagues throughout her career.
To learn more: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV (https://shorturl.at/cYKYD), Cleveland.com (https://shorturl.at/5T216), Tribute Archive (https://tinyurl.com/yck47akp)
Photo caption and credit: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV; Amazon
Marilyn Hughey Phillis was born on February 1, 1927, in Kent, Ohio. She attended Kent Public Schools and later earned bachelor's degrees in bacteriology and chemistry from The Ohio State University in 1949. After graduation, she worked as an analytical chemist at Battelle Laboratories in Columbus, Ohio, focusing on national defense matters. Phillis had a lifelong passion for art, which she pursued alongside her scientific career.
In 1984, Phillis moved to Wheeling, West Virginia, with her late husband, Richard. She quickly became a prominent figure in the local arts community. Phillis was a founding member and former president of the Ohio Watercolor Society, and she received the Jim Brower Lifetime Achievement Award for her contributions to the field. Her work as a watermedia artist earned her national recognition, and she was an elected member of the American Watercolor Society.
Phillis authored the best-selling book "Watermedia Techniques for Releasing the Creative Spirit" and led numerous workshops across the country, sharing her expertise and creative vision with students. Her art is displayed in many homes and establishments nationwide. Phillis passed away on December 29, 2022, in Northbrook, Illinois, at the age of 95. She left behind a legacy of artistic excellence and generosity, having inspired countless students and colleagues throughout her career.
To learn more: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV (https://shorturl.at/cYKYD), Cleveland.com (https://shorturl.at/5T216), Tribute Archive (https://tinyurl.com/yck47akp)
Photo caption and credit: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV; Amazon
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