Joseph A. Whalen
(December 24, 1927 - December 17, 2015)

Joe Whalen was born and raised in Lockport, New York, a long time ago. He never strayed far from Niagara County, but still far enough. His early training was under the direction of Sister Mary Julia, S.S.M.N. who “schooled” him in the art of soft pastels and charcoal. Later in high school, he was directed and urged by Marion Hazen. Throughout his life, he was encouraged by his mother, who loved art and soft music.

He continued his studies at R.I.T. under many fine instructors, especially in watercolor from Ralph Avery, a noted artist and watercolorist. After R.I.T. and a few years studying Latin and Greek, he returned to Buffalo State College and Albright Art School for more training. In addition, he has done graduate work in art and art education at the University of Buffalo, Niagara University, and Buffalo State.

Whalen taught art in public schools and at Niagara County Community College for nearly thirty-five years, and also gave private lessons in his summer studio at Olcott Beach. He also spent four summers in the medical illustration department at Roswell Park, and three summers in the Cornell lab in the technical illustration department. All of this mish mash of experience and training was mixed with an occasional trip to New England to paint and sketch.

Joseph A. Whalen Curriculum Vitae

Education and Training
Educated—Lockport School System
Early Art Training—Sr. Mary Julia S.S.M.N.
St. Joseph’s Academy, Lockport, NY
Graduated from Rochester Institute of Technology
Albright Art School
Buffalo State College
Taught in Public Schools in Lockport for 35 years
Taught part time at Niagara County Community College
Worked as a medical illustrator at Roswell Park Hospital
Worked as a technical illustrator at Cornell Lab
Worked as a free lance commercial artist for local companies, such as Harrison Radiator Division, General Motors

Membership and Awards
Forty-five year member of Buffalo Society of Artists
Founding member of Niagara Frontier Watercolor Society
Gold Medal—Buffalo Society of Artists
Best of Show—Regional Niagara Frontier Show, Kenan Gallery
Best of Show (twice)—Niagara Frontier Watercolor Society
Major Awards—Batavia National Art Show
Numerous other awards—BSA and NFWS
Award for Excellence, Members Exhibition Carnegie Art Center, North Tonawanda, NY 1995
The Roy Mason Award, Batavia Invitational, Batavia, NY 1997
Best of Show, Convergence ‘98
Carnegie Art Center, North Tonawanda, NY
Ron Concilla Award Buffalo Society of Artists Anderson Gallery, Buffalo, NY

Paintings in Public Collections
Lockport Public Library
Lockport City Hall
Lockport Memorial Hospital
Lockport Savings Bank
Manufacturers-Hanover Bank
Comfort Inn
Delphi
Hertel Avenue Gallery
Dana Tillou Gallery
Market Street Art Center Gallery
Numerous area restaurants
Numerous area schools
Selected Collections
Blue Shield of Western New York Buffalo, NY
Burchfield—Penney Art Center Buffalo, NY
Dr. Julia Archie Chicago, IL
Richard Davis Atlanta, GA
Mario Di Pasquale Seattle, WA
Dr. Edwin Gordy Newton, MA
Vincent Laino Richardson, TX
Gordon Ballard Buffalo, NY
Robert Beaulieu Lockport, NY
Paul Hunt Lockport, NY
Thomas Swift, CPA Lockport, NY

Paintings in Private Collections
Los Angeles, CA
Chicago, IL
Atlanta, GA
Boston, MA
Paris, France
London, Great Britain
Toronto, Canada
Finland

Selected Commissions
Wall Mural, First Niagara Bank, Medina, NY
Wall Mural, Briody Nursing Home, Lockport, NY
Wall Mural, Shelridge Country Club, Medina, NY

Recent Shows
Carnegie Art Center, North Tonawanda 1996
Kenan Center, Lockport 1997
Art Loft Gallery, Lockport 1999
Burchfield-Penney, Buffalo 2004
Kenan Center, Lockport 2005
Market Street Art Center, 2005
Whalen: A Legacy, 2015
Whalen: The Legacy Continues, 2016
Whalen: Legacy on Loan 2017

Selected Solo Exhibitions
1970 D’Youville College Gallery, Buffalo, NY
1972 A.C.S. Gallery, Tonawanda, NY
1974 Carriage House Gallery, Buffalo, NY
1986 CCVA, Chautauqua, NY
1994 Olean Public Library, Olean, NY
1996 Carnegie Art Gallery, North Tonawanda, NY
1997 Kenan Center, Lockport, NY
2001 Art Loft, Lockport, NY
2004 Kenan Center, Lockport, NY
2004 Market Street Art Center
2010 Kenan Center
Selected Group Exhibitions
Buffalo Society of Artists, Buffalo, NY
Albright-Knox Gallery
William Storrs and Joseph Whalen
Kenan Center, Lockport, NY
Tenth Anniversary Exhibition
Kenan Center, Lockport, NY
Niagara Watercolor Society
Kenan Center, Lockport, NY
Charles Rand Penney Colletion
Burchfield Art Center, Buffalo, NY
William Storrs and Joseph Whalen
Market Street Art Center, Lockport, NY
Art Dialogue
2007 Fingerlakes Exhibition
Chalk Painting Award Buffalo Society of Artists 2009
Painting Award Western New York Annual Exhibit 2009
Carnegie Member’s Show
Erie Art Museum 2008-2009

(Updated Information to Come)