Louise Orwig

Louise Orwig

1892-1967
Birthplace
Mifflinburg, PA
Died
Ojai, CA
Titles & Honors:
Awarded Foreign Scholarship, "Cresson," from the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts (1911), Des Moines Women's Club Prizes: First Prizes on "Conscience," (1911); "Boquet," (1919); "Provincetown Street," (1920), Gold Medal and Purchase Prize for "Young Girl Sewing," (1921). First Prize, Poster, State Suffrage Contest (1916), Iowa Artists Club, Mr. and Mrs. Stoddard Prize for "Potted Plants on Patio," (1931), "Potted Plants" circulated in "Iowa Speaks," American Federation of Arts (1934-1935), "P.W.A. Workers, River Front, Des Moines," Third Prize, Iowa Art Salon (1934).
Occupation:
Painter, Art Librarian, Secretary

Orwig was a highly influential artist in the Des Moines area between 1919 and 1942.

After graduating from the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, she was hired as the Art Librarian for the Des Moines Public Library. In that position, she greatly expanded the library’s artwork and art literature collection.

An integral member of various Iowa art organizations, she continued to exhibit her work locally, including being featured numerous times at the Des Moines Women’s Club.

In 1942 she resigned from her positions and drove to California, living the rest of her life in an artists’ community in Ojai.