Ken Schulz

Ken Schulz Formerly of Racine - Mr. Ken Schulz, 86, passed away on Wednesday, December 27, 2006, in Hazard, Kentucky. He was born in Racine on January 19, 1920. After his service in the U.S Navy in World War II, he operated his own advertising art business for twenty-five years. Attending evening art classes at the Layton School of Art in Milwaukee, he majored in watercolor and also excelled in oil, acrylic and egg tempera. In 1966, he moved to Gatlinburg, Tennessee, establishing the first fine arts gallery introducing watercolor to the area. He received national recognition for his watercolors; his work was published on the Artists of America Calendars and the American Artists Group greeting cards. His work was featured in "SPLASH 3 - IDEAS and INSPIRATIONS," a North Light Books publication of America's best 105 contemporary watercolorists. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame of Washington Park High School in Recognition of outstanding achievement in a chosen field of endeavor. In 1982, he won first place in the Tennessee Duck Stamp contest and in 1990 tied for eighth place in the Federal Duck Stamp contest. Major exhibits include the National Academy of Design, NY, the National Arts Club, NY, and regional and state shows. He is listed in Who's Who in American Art. He was honored by election to membership to the following art societies: American Watercolor Society in NY, Salmagundi Club in NY, Audubon Artists in NY, Allied Artists of America in NY, Knickerbocker Artists in NY, Cincinnati Art Club in OH, and Academic Artists in MA. He judged the South Carolina Watercolor Society exhibit and the Wisconsin Society exhibit as well as several regional shows. He provided teaching, lectures, and demonstrations and the Cincinnati Art Club of Ohio, Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts of Gatlinburg, TN, and other art groups. Ken's paintings reveal the reverence he held for nature and the relationship of earth and man. He referred to his work as creative realism. He retired in 1999 after 33 years in the fine arts. His two careers as an artist added up to 58 years that can be summed up in his own words: "IT WAS A LABOR OF LOVE." He is survived by one son and daughter-in-law, Craig and Gail Schulz; 6 grandchildren, Lynn, Crystal, Martha, Sarah, Stacie, and Hannah; 14 great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, June Schulz and siblings Ruth, Eddie (Edward), Carl, and Eunice. Funeral services will be held in the Wilson Funeral Home on Tuesday, January 2, 2007 at 1:30 pm with Rev. Randal Poppe officiating. Interment will follow at West Lawn Memorial Park. Relatives and friends may meet with the family on Tuesday, at the funeral home from 12 noon until service time.

Ken Schulz

January 19, 1920 - December 27, 2006