Leonard and Reva Brooks are noted Canadian artists who have lived and worked in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, since their arrival there in 1947.
Leonard Brooks was born in London, England, 7 November 1911 and came to Canada in 1912, where he attended ... »
Leonard and Reva Brooks are noted Canadian artists who have lived and worked in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, since their arrival there in 1947.
Leonard Brooks was born in London, England, 7 November 1911 and came to Canada in 1912, where he attended public and high schools in North Bay, Ontario. From there he studied at Central Technical School and the Ontario College of Art, in Toronto. During 1932-34, he travelled and painted in England, France, and Spain, and exhibited in London and Barcelona. On 18 October 1935, he married Reva Silverman, daughter of Morris and Jennie (Klein) Silverman, in Toronto. He then entered the Ontario Teachers' Training College, Hamilton and beginning in 1937 he taught art at the Northern Vocational School, Toronto. During World War II (1943-45), he served with the R.C.N.V.R. as a Lieutenant; and in 1944 he was appointed an Official War Artist. In 1947 he went to Mexico where he attended the Escuela Universitaria de Bellas Artes, San Miguel de Allende, taking courses in lithography and fresco. Thereafter, the Brooks resided in San Miguel. Leonard also instructed on the art of painting at Ohio University, Athens, Ohio; Doon School of Art, Ontario; University of British Columbia, Vancouver; Art Institute, San Antonio, Texas; and Wells College, Aurora, New York. He has exhibited in Canada, England, and the United States, and his works hang in galleries around the world, including the National Gallery, Ottawa; the Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto; the Museum of Modern Art, Mexico City. He is also the author of several authoritative texts on painting and has been a prime mover in establishing a musical presence in San Miguel.
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