Alumnus instructor leaves legacy of great art to columbus

CCAD alumnus and retired faculty member Edmund Kuehn once said, “Columbus doesn't have great mountains or rivers to boast of, but I thought instead it could have great art.”

As a 1938 Fine Arts graduate of CCAD, Kuehn dedicated his life to the promotion of the arts in central Ohio. In addition to his work as a fine artist, Kuehn served as an instructor at CCAD from 1947-1962 and as curator and assistant director of the Columbus Museum of Art (CMA) until his retirement in 1976. He remained involved in the central Ohio arts community until his death, Sunday, June 12, at the age of 94.

Edmund Kuehn (CCAD 1938) and wife Liese Kuehn met at CCAD.

Among his many accomplishments at CMA are bringing Picasso's famous mural, Guernica, to the museum in 1941 as part of a tour to raise money for the war effort; creating a business lunch program at the museum to attract the business community to learn about the traveling exhibitions and the permanent collection; and bringing school children into the museum to introduce them to art.

In February, we spoke with his wife of nearly 60 years and CCAD alumna Liese Kuehn for the alumni newsletter. She said, “Edmund had teachers who knew he was unusually talented and helped push him that way. But his fascination with art developed entirely on his own. At CCAD, he studied all the movements and got to know them well. He just took what suited his style.” Read the entire article here.

He was represented by Keny Galleries in Columbus’s German Village, and a collection of Kuehn’s works can be viewed here.

Kuehn requested that contributions be made to the Columbus Museum of Art or to InCare Hospice in his name. Condolences can be made at Shoedinger Midtown Chapel.