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David Csicsko LGBTQ portraits

Print
Five, framed color digital prints by Chicago artist David Lee Csicsko created for the art exhibit "History Book: LGBTQ Portraits" that was on display in the History Center's 2nd floor gallery from January 1, 2020 to January 1, 2021 After the exhibit closed, Csicsko donated the portraits of local LGBTQ people to the SDHC. The portraits are of: A. Mary Kay Bettles B. Florence Ely Hunn C. Isabel Graham D. Carl Jennings and Larry Gammons E. Burr Tillstrom Item F. is a larger print explaining the exhibit. The prints are behind glass with white mats and frames.
Left to right: Mary Kay Bettles, Florence Ely Hunn, Isabel Graham
Left to right: Carl Jennings and Larry Gammons, Burr Tillstrom The prints on display in the exhibit. Front of postcard promoting exibit F. Exhibit introduction sign: 20x26 inches Exhibit sponosors; John Kerr, Bill Kelleher, Ralph Hamilton, Jorge Partida, Max Matteson, Bud Baty Mary K. Bettles by David Lee Csicsko; Nicknamed the “Sheriff of Ox-Bow,” Mary K. Bettles spent her summers in a cottage at Ox-Bow Art Camp. Devoted to the camp, Bettles served on the board and gave enormous amounts of time and effort to guarantee its success. When the camp was closed during the winters, Bettles often went to Ox-Bow to check the buildings. Bettles was also known in the area as the public relations director for the Red Barn Theater, for her work at the Holland Sentinel newspaper, and as editor of the Saugatuck Commercial Record newspaper. In addition, Bettles served in various capacities at the Red Cross Blood Bank. One day, Bettles went to Ox-Bow for one of her winter inspections and noticed a dog trapped on an ice floe. A lover of animals, Bettles drowned in Ox-Bow Lagoon at age 73, attempting to save the canine. Interpretative Label Text by Owen Keehnen Isabel G. Graham by David Lee Csicsko; Isabel G. Graham was born and raised in Douglas. She was the daughter of Hugh Graham, a carpenter who in 1882 built the Douglas United Church of Christ at the corner of Wall and Spring Streets. The Graham family home still stands on Union Street in Douglas. Isabel graduated from Michigan State Normal College (now Eastern Michigan University) in Ypsilanti. She moved to Chicago where she taught and served as a principal in the Chicago Public Schools. Census records show that she lived with her partner Nona for many years, even listing Nona as her wife on one census document. When Isabel Graham died in 1954, she bequeathed $5000 to the Douglas United Church of Christ with the stipulation that the money could not be touched for thirty years and should be used to benefit the community. Today, that gift is worth over $1,000,000 and enables the church to support many local charities. Interpretative Label Text by Owen Keehnen Carl Jennings & Larry Gammons by David Lee Csicsko; Following his service with the Air Force, Carl Jennings (1938–2019) became a bartender at the gay friendly Saugatuck bar, Blue Tempo, the only place for LGBTQ people to go at the time. Eventually he met Larry Gammons, the man who would become his partner for the next fifty years. In 1981, the two men opened the iconic Dunes Resort in Douglas with Jennings doing double duty as head chef and DJ for many years. The importance of the Dunes Resort and its contribution to the local community cannot be overemphasized. The Dunes helped define the Saugatuck/Douglas area as a premiere LGBTQ vacation destination in the Midwest. In addition to the Dunes, the two men opened several other businesses in the area. In 2020, the year following Carl’s death, the Pride Celebration Garden in downtown Douglas was dedicated to the couple. At the event Gammons said, “This is for all the LGBTQ men and women who made our community what it is today.” Interpretative Label Text by Owen Keehnen Burr Tillstrom by David Lee Csicsko; Burr Tillstrom (1917–1985) began creating puppets as a boy. By age 20, he was on tour with them. Performing at the 1939 World’s Fair in New York, Tillstrom had an idea. After meeting radio singer Fran Allison, the remaining part was in place. Kukla, Fran, and Ollie aired from Chicago from 1947-1957. Witty and warm, the show appealed to adults as well as children and featured Allison standing before a puppet stage talking to her puppet pals: Kukla, which means “doll” in Russian; Ollie, a one-toothed dragon, as well as Madame Ooglepuss, Beulah Witch, Fletcher Rabbit, and others. Tillstrom created and voiced all puppets on the show, especially impressive given that most episodes were improvised. Tillstrom’s partner, Joseph, was the show manager and costume designer. The couple worked together, lived together, and vacationed together, often summering in their beloved Saugatuck, Michigan. The Kuklapolitan Players, as the group was called, were a cultural phenomenon, lasting decades after the series ended with TV specials, series revivals, guest appearances, and recordings. The Kuklapolitans even played Broadway twice. At the time of his death in 1985, five-time Emmy winner Tillstrom was working on a musical adaptation of his story. Interpretative Label Text by Owen Keehnen

2024.35.01

Digital Print

Bettles, Mary Katherine 1910-1984Hunn, Florence Ely "Dannie" 1887-1984Graham, Isabel Gladys 1870/1-1954Jennings, Carl 1938-2019Gammons, LarryTillstrom, Burr 1917-1985

In conjunction with the exhibit "A Century of Progress," the History Book exhibit featured more than two dozen stylized portraits of local, national and international LGBTQ pioneers by Chicago artist and designer David Lee Csicsko. Biographical and historical information for the exhibit was developed by LGBTQ historian and author Owen Keehnen. Both Csicsko and Keehnen are inductees of Chicago’s LGBT Hall of Fame and the illustrator and author of the book "LGBTQ+ Icons: A Celebration of Historical LGBTQ+ Icons in the Arts."

Artworks1960 Gay/LGBTQ+ cultureBurr TillstromFlorence Hunn

Winthers, Sally

2024.35

Csicsko, David Lee

Donation, unconditional

Csicsko, David Lee

image area 11x14 inches

20 in

16 in

AC bay 10

Art Conservation Room

Kerr, JohnKelleher, William "Bill" E. 1955-2023Matteson, MaxBaty, BudWest Shore Aware

Florence ‘Dannie’ Hunn (1887–1984) dreamt of studying architecture but since architecture schools did not admit women at the time, she instead became an interior designer. Her Chicago design store featured unique furniture and wall coverings. Success led to additional stores and by 1930, Hunn had become one of America’s top designers. Over a decade earlier, Hunn and her companion, Mabel “Jims” Warren, purchased a lakefront cabin south of Douglas near Pier Cove that dated back to 1858. The tiny cabin became their home for the next five decades. In the Saugatuck area, Hunn was given the opportunity to practice architecture and landscaping. In addition to restoring one of Saugatuck’s most architecturally significant homes, Hunn designed several new structures. However, the centerpiece of her work was the cottage she shared with Jims. For several decades, the women built, rebuilt, added on, and reinvented their lakefront home. They also transformed the surrounding area, creating gardens with flagstone walkways, open areas for luncheons and outdoor activities, and superb views of Lake Michigan. With Pier Cove as her sanctuary, Florence Hunn managed to fashion a unique, productive, and fulfilling life for herself as well as her beloved Jims. Interpretative Label Text by Owen Keehnen

08/07/2024

09/03/2024