The Life and Art of Lucia Wiley
Born in Tillamook, United States, Lucia Wiley was a painter and muralist who dedicated much of her life to the mastery of fresco. Her academic journey began at the University of Minnesota, where she studied art education, before she transferred to the University of Oregon. There, she earned a Bachelor of Arts in fine arts and later a Master of Fine Arts. Her thesis focused on the traditional technique of true fresco, a method involving the application of color pigments directly onto wet plaster. This technical expertise defined her career, leading to significant commissions for the United States post office and various public spaces.
Her notable works include mural studies such as Capt. Gray Entering Tillamook Bay and Study for mural, International Falls, Minnesota Post Office, both of which are held by the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington, D.C. Other significant works include the fresco Woman at the Well in Milwaukie and the courthouse mural Building of the Morning Star, which was a finalist for the Architectural League of New York's Gold Medal Award in 1951.
A Spiritual Transition
In the mid-1950s, Wiley’s life took a profound turn when she resigned from her position at the Museum Art School at the Portland Art Museum. Seeking more quiet and meditation, she became a postulate at the Episcopalian Community of the Holy Spirit at St. Hilda's House in New York City, where she was known as Sister Lucia Wiley. During this period, she served as a supervising art teacher and eventually became the Sister Warden of Associates, providing spiritual direction across the United States, Canada, and Panama. She remained in New York City until her death in 1998.
