Jesse Jay McVicker, known professionally as J. Jay McVicker, was a distinguished figure in American art. He was born on October 18, 1911, and died on August 31, 2004. His artistic career was marked by a profound mastery of printmaking, and he was especially noted for his innovative work with aquatints and intaglio techniques. However, McVicker was equally proficient as a painter and sculptor, contributing significantly to each field throughout his career.
Educated under the guidance of Ella Jack and Doel Reed at Oklahoma State University, McVicker's early work displayed a strong inclination towards Regionalism, particularly in watercolors and printmaking. He completed both a Bachelor's and a Master's degree at Oklahoma State University in 1940 and 1941, respectively. Subsequently, he became a revered member of the university’s faculty, choosing to spend his life in Stillwater, Oklahoma, even while his work attained national and international recognition.
Post-World War II, McVicker's artistic direction took a turn towards modernist abstraction. This period also marked his extensive involvement in exhibitions throughout the United States. His works were exhibited in such esteemed institutions as the San Francisco Museum of Art, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Seattle Museum of Art, and the Museum of Non-Objective Painting in New York. Additional notable venues included the Chicago Art Institute, the Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, and the Denver Art Museum, among others.
McVicker's artwork was also featured in prominent galleries and institutions worldwide. His international exhibitions spanned cities from Istanbul to Paris, Rome to Buenos Aires, and many more, demonstrating his global appeal and relevance.
The significance of McVicker's work is further underscored by its inclusion in prestigious collections like the Dallas Museum of Art, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, The Harwood Museum of Art, and the Smithsonian American Art Museum. We have recently added some new works by this exciting artist, to see them
J. Jay McVicker's contributions to the art world have been duly recognized in esteemed publications such as "Who's Who in American Art" and "Who's Who in America," cementing his status as a luminary in the American art scene. His legacy lives on, not only through his own creations but through the enduring impact he had on the art community at large.