Encyclopedia Dubuque
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
FERRING, Cyril
FERRING, Cyril. (Dubuque, IA, Mar. 13, 1900--Marfil, Mexico, Sept. 1, 1984). The son of Frank D. and Ida Ferring, Cyril had one sibling, Rose B. His father was born in Iowa while his mother came from Germany. (1) As an elementary student, Ferring showed an interest in debate. In the graduating class of PRESCOTT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL in 1914 he was one of the people who took the negative position on the topic: "Resolved, that the army and navy of the United States be increased." (2) His interest in art replaced debate. As a high school student in Dubuque, Ferring drew a cartoon showing the crowded conditions in CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL. His drawing, published in Dubuque newspapers, was credited with having considerable influence in the successful bond issue campaign that led to the building of DUBUQUE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL.
Ferring began his art studies at the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts. He later studied at the Chicago Art Institute and painted privately under Karl Kraft, Frederic Grant, Angarola, W. J. Reynolds, and Leon Kroll. He served as an illustrator with the army and worked as an artist in advertising before becoming an advertising illustrator. He opened his own studio and taught at the Art Institute and Academy of Fine Arts in Chicago, Illinois.
In 1929 Ferring, an advertising illustrator in Chicago, designed the cover for Dubuque Business, the official publication of the DUBUQUE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. (3) In 1930 three paintings of his paintings were displayed in the CARNEGIE-STOUT PUBLIC LIBRARY by the Iowa Artist Club and Dubuque artists. (4) He was working at that time painting MURALS for the auditorium of Dubuque Senior High. He did not charge for his time and the expenses for materials were paid out of the student activity fund. (5) The finished work, to be forty-four feet ten inches long and fifteen feet two inches wide, depicted the pioneer days of Dubuque before the CIVIL WAR. Because the area for the mural was long and narrow, Ferring chose the topic of transportation.
In an article in the Telegraph-Herald on November 17, 1935 Ferring described the difficulties of completing the work.
The mural, completed in his spare time, was first displayed on the east wall of the auditorium in 1935. During the time he was working on the murals, Ferring in 1932 was also able to execute the original drawings used by the Wood Art Company in creating several wood carvings. (6) In September, 1936 Ferring's master sketches for two new murals were approved by the mural committee. These were to continue the idea of the mural then located in the auditorium. These new murals would be placed on each side of the stage. The murals were transported to Dubuque in sections and assembled on the wall. Finishing touches were expected to take several weeks. He was paid for his services and expenses involved in these murals with funding from donations and the student activity fund. (7)
Ferring's artistic talents by 1933 led to him being declared a prominent commercial artist, illustrator and mural painter. These skills were employed that year in his role as the head of decorations and appointment of the recently remodeled S. S. Isle Royale of the Isle Royale Line. He completed a series of decorative murals in the club room and painted the interior of the ship's finest suite. The ship sailed on the Great Lakes from its base in Chicago. (8) In May, 1934, Ferring traveled to England to make sketches of King George's Jubilee. Royal events, then and later, were celebrated with advertising depicting the likeness of the royal family on tea sets, silk banners, and badges. He was also illustrated children's books such as How Life Begins (Chicago Book House for Children, 1935). (9)
In 1946, the centennial year, a short history of Dubuque was published in the Bilt-Well Bulletin, the house newspaper of CARR, ADAMS AND COLLIER COMPANY. In 1948 the material was republished in booklet form to be distributed in the school and institutions of Dubuque according to company officials. Included in the material were nine, full-page charcoal sketches of early life in Dubuque by Ferring. The text was written by Robert Burlingame. (10)
The two smaller murals were first displayed in 1938. The mural to the left of the stage represents the clearing of the land for the plowman who is shown in the distance. LEAD MINING smelters can be seen on the distant hills.
The industrial mural on the right of the stage features the SHOT TOWER, construction of a lumber mill, and both river and rail transportation.
In the 1970s controversy arose among some students about the manner in which AFRICAN AMERICANS were shown in the murals. Historical research, however, would show that river commerce gave African Americans as well as others opportunities to find work in the 1800s. Ferring was simply showing life along the MISSISSIPPI RIVER as it existed both before and after the CIVIL WAR.
The murals were restored by Gary Germaine who had been commissioned by the family of Dr. Darryl and Terry Mozena.
(Photo Courtesy: Gary Olsen, Dubuque Community Schools, www.dubuque.k12.ia.us/Senior/ferringmural)
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Source:
1. Census Record, 1920, Dubuque Ward 2 Dubuque County
2. "Debate at Prescott School," Telegraph Herald, December 19, 1914, p. 8
3. "'Dubuque Business' Replaces Bulletin." Telegraph Herald, October 15, 1929, p. 5
4. "Works of Local Artists on View," Telegraph Herald, March 9, 1930, p. 5
5. "Public Shows Great Interest in Dubuque Art," Telegraph Herald, March 24, 1932, p. 9
6. "Alumnus Paints Two Murals for School," Telegraph Herald, November 15, 1936, p. 11
7. Ibid.
8. "Former Artist Here Paints 'Isle Royale,'" Telegraph Herald, June 25, 1933, p. 8
9. Olsen, Gary "Senior High School's Cy Ferring," Online: http://www.garyolsen.com/CyFerringMurals.htm
10. "History of Dubuque is Being Distributed," Telegraph Herald, October 4, 1948, p. 3