George Thomas Burns

Seeking artwork by George Thomas Burns from 1930s-40s. Contact us at: info@GalleryofWisconsinArt.com

We would also welcome a photo of Mr. Burns from later in his life.

BORN: 1911 (Bay View, WI?)

DIED: 2009, Milwaukee, WI

***Note: Have found two different sources- one says George Burns was born in Bay View, and the other says his family moved there when he was 10.

Regardless, Burns graduated Bay View High School in 1930 - his yearbook photo is on this page.

George Thomas Burns graduated from the Milwaukee State Teachers College in 1935  and received his master’s in art and education from Columbia University in New York in 1941.

In the late 30s during the Depression, Burns began his career working for the wooden toy unit of the WPA Milwaukee Handicraft Project, where he designed and supervised the production of educational toys.

He began teaching art classes at Cass Street Elementary School from 1937 to 1939. He then taught at Riverside High School until 1965. From 1966 to 1981, he headed the Milwaukee School System’s department of Instructional Resources. Meanwhile, he won multiple awards for his television projects.

In his spare time, Burns painted and exhibited his drawings and paintings, especially his watercolors, around the area. Once he retired, Burns focused exclusively on creating pastel and watercolor artwork.  He exhibited at the Aftons Gallery, Milwaukee Art Institute, and Walrus Club in Milwaukee.

Burns was a member of the Wisconsin Painter and Sculptors, The Wisconsin Watercolor Society, member and president of Milwaukee Area Teachers of Art and the Milwaukee Men’s Sketch Club.

Photo courtesy 1930 Bay View Oracle yearbook.