One of the most renowned etchings artists in the St. Tammany area was Norman Criner, who was nationally-recognized for his talent. As a member of the Art Association he taught classes, gave talks, and took part in a number of exhibits in the early 1970's.
Criner was a native of Houston, TX, worked in New York for several years and then became a resident of Madisonville for several years. He received his formal training at the Houston Museum of Fine Arts and also studied with Frank Reilly of the Art Students League.
While best known for his etchings, he also worked in oils and mosaics. Among his many accomplishments was serving as art editor for a New York publisher, in addition to free lance work for Collier's, Red Book, and various advertising agencies.
His work was showcased in the Grand Central Galleries, Museum of Modern Art and other galleries in Manhattan, and he did some mural work for a number of architectural commissions and a Florida banking chain.
His etchings of local St. Tammany scenes were a favorite, and Criner taught a class in etching at the art association. He was described in local news items as "a prominent New Orleans graphic artist." He died on October 20, 1971, at the VA Hospital in New Orleans after a short illness. He was 53 years old.
The Art Association honored him with a Memorial Exhibit "Retrospective," saying that through his art work and his teaching of classes, he had a great influence on artists in the area.
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