LEV GETZ

Lev Getz

Painter, graphic artist, teacher, cultural activist, museum director, and patron. Studied painting in the Lviv Industrial Arts School (1913), the Studio-School of O. Novakivsky, and in the private studio of architect I. Levynskyi (1913-1915). Served in the ranks of the Legion of Ukrainian Sich-Riflemen (Press Section) during World War I (1915). In 1916-1917, worked on the anthology of the art and literature of the Sich-Riflemen. As a prisoner of war in a camp near Krakow, created a cycle of drawings about the internment camp Dqmbie (1918) and completed a series of postcards titled “War” (1919). Continued his studies after the war at the Krakow Academy with S. Debicki and J. Wojnarski (1919-1924). From 1919-1944, lived in Sanok (today in Poland) and taught secondary school. Founder and longtime director of the Ethnographic Museum “Lemkowszczyzna” [Lemko Lands] in Sanok (1931-1944). Member of HDUM and ANUM; exhibited with UTPM and ANUM. First solo exhibition of 270 paintings and graphic works held in Lviv in 1934 under the auspices of ANUM. In 1945, moved to Krakôw and held the position of professor at the Krakow Academy of Arts (1950-1961). Worked closely with the Ukrainian Socio-Cultural Association (Warsaw) and collaborated on their publications Nasha Kultura [Our Culture] and Ukrainskyi Kaliendar [Ukrainian Calendar]. In 1965, his second solo exhibition was held in Szczecin, Poland, Participated in exhibitions in Prague, Vienna, New York, Winnipeg, Sao Paolo, and Chicago. Executed series of architectural landscapes in various graphic and painting media. During the 1930s, produced a set of graphic renderings titled “View of Sanok”. His works can be found in public and private collections in Canada, the Czech Republic, Italy, Poland, Slovakia, Ukraine, and the United States.