Clara Mairs (1878-1963)

Hiro Fine Art is interested in purchasing artworks by Clara Mairs.

Clara Mairs was born in Hastings, Minnesota in 1878 to Samuel and Abigail Mairs. After the death of her father, Abigail moved the family to St. Paul, Minnesota in 1891. Clara Mairs began training as an artist at the St. Paul Institute in 1918 and continued her studies at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in Philadelphia  under the guidance of her teacher Daniel Garber. In 1923, Mairs went on to further her artistic knowledge by traveling to Paris, France and enrolling at the Academie Julian, the Academie Colorossi, and the Cademie Montparnasse. While in Paris, Mairs studied under the sought-after modernist instructor André L’hote.

Clara Mairs returned to St. Paul, Minnesota in 1925 and began her career as a professional artist. She gained recognition by winning the first prize at the Minnesota State Fair for her portrait paintings. She went on to win awards at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts for her etchings in 1931 and 1936. She was an important figure who gathered local artists together to start the Art League of St. Paul. At the assembled league she met her lifelong partner Clement Haupers. They lived near the Kettle River before moving to St. Paul on Randolph Avenue and then Ramsey Hill. She created many portraits, and other subjects included the circus, zoological gardens, and figural scenes. Her work was well-received in St. Paul, where it was considered daring and chic. Mairs was an active painter for the Works Progress Administration. She also experimented with ceramics and painting furniture in the later portion of her life.

Hiro Fine Art is interested in purchasing paintings and original prints by Clara Mairs.

• 1878 – Born in Hastings, Minnesota
• 1891 – Moved to St. Paul, Minnesota
• 1918 – Began studying as an artist at the St. Paul Institute
• 1923 – Enrolled at the Academie Julian in Paris, France
• 1925 – Returned to St. Paul, Minnesota and began her career as an artist
• Won awards and prizes at the Minnesota State Fair and Minneapolis Institute of Art