Blair, Streeter, 1888-1967

Streeter Blair was born in Cadmus, Kansas. His father was manager of a Grange store, and Blair spent his early years in this small farming community. The family lived briefly in Kansas City, but later moved to Spring Hill, Kansas where Blair attended high school. After high school, he went to the University of Kansas where he earned his way by doing odd jobs. After college he taught in Sabetha and then moved on to become principal of Junction City High School. The high school principal position did not afford him the standard of living he wished for himself and his family, so he brought a clothing store which he later sold to ward off bankruptcy. From Junction City he moved to Kansas City where he owned and operated an advertising business for over twenty years. After his retirement in 1950 he sold the business and opened an antique shop in Los Angles whereupon he began his painting career. He sold his first canvas almost immediately, thus he began a prolific career as an American "primitive" painter. His paintings depict life in small communities, homesteads of the prairies, Saturday night events, band concerts and the like, such themes were reflective of his childhood days in Kansas. His works have been exhibited in the United States and Europe.

From the guide to the Papers, 1918-1966, (University of Kansas Kenneth Spencer Research Library Kansas Collection)