Layton School of Art

The Layton School of Art was a third level institute based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It was established by Charlotte Partridge and Miriam Frink in 1920 and closed due to financial insolvency in 1974. At its closure, the school was regarded as one of the top five art schools in the United States and enjoyed a historical reputation for innovative methods in art education. Viewed by some as one of the most progressive art schools in the country, Layton made design the core of its curriculum and pioneered several movements now considered standard practice in art education. It was the first professional art school to require a year of foundation courses prior to specialization. One of these foundation courses was appreciation of literature, thereby exposing students to different means of artistic expression. It abolished an old taboo by conducting its life drawing (nude) classes with male and female students together. Courses were arranged to allow students exposure to the methods and viewpoints of different instructors.

Notable Members

Over the years, Layton faculty included:
*Boris Lovett-Lorski,
*Stella Harlos,
*Gerhard Bakker,
*Knute Heldner,
*Girolamo Piccoli,
*William Owen,
*Walter Quirt,
*Richard H. Jansen,
*John David Brcin,
*Schomer Lichtner,
*Ruth Muhlmeier,
*Frederick Muhs,
*George Niedecken,
*Joanna Poehlman,
*Karl Priebe,
*Kempert Quabius,
*John Waldheim,
*Marianne Willisch,
*Santos Zingale,
*Hugh Townley
*Walter Sheffer

Over the years, Layton students included:

*Larry Clark,
*Susan Bender,
*James Beyler.