Jicha, Joseph (1901-1960)
Dates
- Existence: 1901 - 1960
Biography
Joseph Jicha spent his career as a commercial artist, but his fine art consisted primarily of watercolors. Born in Austria-Hungary in 1901, his family emigrated to the United States when he was an infant. Settling in Cleveland, Jicha graduated from the Cleveland Institute of Art and worked for several design firms over the course of his career. He was an early member of the Kokoon Arts Club. His Kokoon membership application is part of the museum archives' Kokoon Club collection. He was also a member of the Cleveland Society of Artists.
A longstanding May Show contributor, Jicha exhibited watercolors, drawings, and illustrations from 1928 to 1956. He won several third prizes and honorable mentions for his work. He also won acclaim and prizes from the Chicago Art Institute, Butler Art Museum, and Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. Much of his inspiration came from trips to Mexico, South America, and the Caribbean. He also exhibited at Cleveland's Korner & Wood Gallery and the Little Gallery of Cleveland College. His 1940 watercolor, "Atlantic Low" is in the permanent collection of the museum. Jicha passed away unexpectedly at the age of 59 in 1960.