Elaine Stevenson Michelsen Evans, a well known Utah artist, died peacefully September 13, 1994 at age 88.
Born October 29, 1905 to Dr. Lester Alanson and Bertha Starley Stevenson in Fillmore, Utah. She was a graduate of the U of U, and a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma and majored in Art. Graduate studies in Art were obtained at the University of Paris and International Academy of Art, Salzburg, Austria. She also studied Egyptian and Oriental Art on location on several occasions each, being invited to Egypt by the Minister of Art Education, Cairo, Egypt. Her lectures and work shops were in demand in many cities, clubs, and universities. She was chairman of the Art Department at Westminster College, Salt Lake from 1950 to 1960. She taught art at the University of California, San Jose 1963-64, where she introduced a new course based on understanding art from a psychological point of view.Her paintings were described as having the quality of jewels, and had the feeling of abstract modern filled with philosophical and historical symbolism and yet maintaining a classical approach. Her largest works are nine murals in the Del E. Webb Corp. building in Phoenix, Arizona.
She has exhibited at many galleries world wide including the Smithsonian Art Gallery, Washington, D.C., and the International Academy of Art, Salzburg, Austria. Some of her memberships include the Whistler Art Association, Westport, Connecticut, Pacific Art Association, Utah Art Educators and The Penwomen. She was the U.S. Delegate to the Hague, and is listed in Who's Who in American Education.
Elaine married Walter James Michelsen. Their children are Walter James Michelsen, Jr., M.D., Gerald Elbert Michelsen, deceased, and Julia Elaine Oberg, deceased. She later married John Henry Evans, Jr., a well-known commercial artist who preceded her in death in 1988. She had three sisters and four brothers, surviving are Betty Allen and Ester Snedden. Also surviving are 11 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
Graveside services will be held on Saturday, September 17, 1994 at 12 noon at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park (Rest Haven Section), 3401 South Highland Drive. Friends may call at Wasatch Lawn Mortuary one hour prior.
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