The permanent art collection of the Deines Cultural Center includes all of the wood engravings done by E. Hubert Deines as well as various works he collected during his lifetime. His artwork is shown on a rotating basis at the Center.
Early Years E. Hubert Deines (1894-1967) was born in a rural section of central Kansas, near Russell. Even at preschool age, before any kind of public instruction was available to him, he was enthusiastically making drawings of things imaginary or observed in a rustic scene. Later, after the usual educational courses, he attended the Kansas City Art Institute and School of Design in Kansas City, Missouri.
World War I, Studying Abroad This art study period was interrupted during World War I by military service. After serving overseas with the 109th Engineers of the 34th Division, he spent some time in France. Under a special government arrangement for qualified servicemen, Deines studied at the famous Julian Academy in Paris.
Employment Upon returning to the United States, he held a position for twelve years on the art staff of a metropolitan daily newspaper. Following newspaper work he established himself in a studio in the old, historic Westport district of Kansas City, Missouri, where for several years he carried on some book and magazine work that required both typographical knowledge and artistic execution. During these commercial assignments a long-desired ambition was also undertaken—to enter the field of Fine Arts. Printmaking had always been his underlying goal, and after many experiments in various media, gradually and by self-taught methods, wood engraving became his principal medium.
Awards, Honors Many rewards came in the form of fine recognition and pleasant associations. Invited by the Admissions Committee for the Edward MacDowell Association of New York, Deines qualified for studio residence periods three different years in the 1940's, and thus worked in the MacDowell Colony at Peterborough, New Hampshire. Set in unusually beautiful surroundings, and an inspiring atmosphere among artists, writers and composers, he produced some of his best-known wood engraving. Twice, in 1955 and again in 1961, he was awarded Fellowship grants at the Huntington Hartford Foundation in Pacific Palisades, California.
Artistic Career Early in his career, along with two artists of national reputation, he was invited to act as a member of a Regional Jury to select graphic art for the World's Fair, held in New York in 1939.
E. Hubert Deines exhibited widely, in this country and occasionally abroad. His work may be found in the permanent print collections of established national museums, such as the Library of Congress, and other equally large repositories. He is represented in the book "American Prize Prints of the 20th Century," by Albert Reese. Further information concerning awards, and biographical data, can be found in "Who’s Who in the Midwest," and "Who’s Who in America," by A. N. Marquis Company, Publishers, Chicago Illinois.
Memberships, Art Organizations With a keen interest in the arts, E. Hubert Deines was an active member of the following art groups and national organizations: The Society of American Graphic Artists, Inc.; National Arts Club, New York; Philadelphia Water Color Club (Print Section), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Prairie Print Makers, Chicago, Illinois; The Print Club of Albany, Inc., Albany, New York; National Academy of Design, New York.
Artistic Works Today, the Deines Cultural Center hosts a permanent collection of the meticulous wood-engraved prints by E. Hubert Deines.
Deines' body of work is exhibited on a rotating basis—showcasing new selections regularly.
Hunterdon County Art Center, Clinton, New Jersey; The American Institute of Graphic Arts, New York; Salmagundi Club, New York; Audubon Artists, New York; and more.