Home  About Us Gallery News One Man Show: Harry Nurmet
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One Man Show: Harry Nurmet |
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TNPS is honored to present a One Man Show by Harry Nurmet from July 27 through August 14, 2007. An opening reception will take place on July 27th from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Harry Nurmet was born on April 25, 1909, in Tallinn, Estonia. Throughout public school and high school he always had an avid interest in art. He studied Law at Tartu University.
He first studied art at Ants Laikmaa's Studio and later pursued additional art courses in the United States. In 1946 he helped to organize the first art exhibition in Tübingen DP camp in Germany, and from 1946-49 he exhibited in Geislingen and Reutling Estonian Artists' Shows. From 1944-49 Nurmet worked at the YMCA as a Director in the French Zone, and then as a Director at the Lutheran World Federation.
He immigrated to the United States of America in 1950 and settled in Oregon, Illinois. During the first few months he worked as a painter. For the next 29 years he worked at Watt Publishing Co. as an applied artist. He also joined the Rockford Art Association, and in 1951 won I Jury Award. For 27 years he exhibited in their Juried Shows, winning many awards.
Nurmet works mainly in watercolor, oils, monotypes and acrylics, and was founder of the Oregon Illinois' Eagle's Nest Art Group, which operated until 1985. He was the group's leader and was elected President eight times. As such he organized exhibitions, courses and classes for young artist. From 1964-1985 he experimented in acrylic techniques with Estonian motives, like brooches which introduced Estonia and its situation. From 1964-1986 Nurmet organized twelve juried religious art exhibitions at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Oregon, Illinois. He exhibited with his wife, who designed banners and his paintings, and which won them many awards. In 1983 Arts Alliance of Ogle County organized his "Monotype Exhibition" where he exhibited 31 monotypes. In 1976 he designed and painted in the centre of Oregon City a large mural celebrating 200 years of American independence. In 1985 he designed the Oregon City flag and in 1993 the City of Oregon elected him the Grand Marshall of its Autumn on Parade Fall Festival.
Nurmet continues to paint and exhibit in art exhibitions. On April 22, 1999 Eagle's Nest Art Group held an exhibition of Nurmet's work to celebrate his 90th birthday. This exhibition included 50 of his paintings from 1946-1999. Speeches and the exhibition itself were videotaped for sale.
Since his wife passed away in 1982, Nurmet has volunteered as an art instructor for seniors. In 1981 Endel Kõks, in Sweden, wrote in "Välis-Eesti" that Harry Nurmet has won the most art awards by Estonian artists in exile in the United States. His works are in many private and public collections in the United States, Estonia, Finland, Sweden, Germany, Australia; also in many catalogues and periodicals. Nurmet has been a member of EKKT since 1999 and currently resides in Dixon, Illinois
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Gallery Hours
Tuesday - Saturday
8am - 4pm
or by appointment.
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