Todros Geller, 1927

The Dean of Chicago's Jewish Artists

Todros Geller (1889-1949) was born in Ukraine and immigrated to Canada in 1906 before settling in Chicago in 1918. He developed a local following in the art community and was an art professor at Chicago's Jewish People's Institute from 1920 to 1927. He wrote books on creating art and made stained glass windows for synagogues in the Chicago area. His artwork was often inspired by Yiddish theater and poetry in America. He was a three-time award winner for his woodcarvings at the annual Library of Congress National Print Exhibitions. He served as the president of the American Jewish Arts Club of Chicago in 1939.