Art in the Lucille Caudill Little Fine Arts Library: Adalin Wichman

Adalin Wichman was born in Paris, KY in 1922.  A graduate of Henry Clay High School, she gained both her bachelor's and master's degree in English from the University of Kentucky. She was largely self-taught as an artist.

In the late 1950s, Wichman accepted a position creating fashion illustrations for Hymson's in Lexington.  From there, she began a long affiliation with the Keeneland Association, depicting horses and their environments on billboards, brochures, and programs.  In 1971, Wichman was commissioned by the Thoroughbred Racing Association to design the Eclipse Award trophy.

One of Wichman's best known works is the 74 foot long Foucault Pendulum Clock in the atrium of the Lexington Public Library, Central branch, downtown Lexington.  The clock project was commissioned by the late philanthropist Lucille Caudill Little, and includes a terrazzo-mosaic floor map and horse racing frieze that circles the upper tier of the atrium.  Lucille Little chose Adalin Wichman as her portrait artist.  Reflecting on her long appreciation of the artist's work, Little wanted her image brought to life by Wichman's paint brushes.  The large portrait of Lucille Little can be found in the lobby of the Fine Arts Library.  

Wichman's works can be found in public and private collections across the nation and even in England.  Some of these collections include H.R.H Queen Elizabeth II (England), National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame (Saratoga. NY), Kentucky Derby Museum, Kentucky Horse Park, Lucille Markey Cancer Center, Transylvania University Library, Keeneland Association Library, the White House Historical Society (Washington DC), and the National Sporting Library and Museum (Middlesburg, VA). She was a member of the National Society for the Arts and Letters, the W.T. Young Library and the Lucille Markey Cancer Center University of Kentucky (board of directors), and the Lexington Art League.  

Adalin Wichman died peacefully at home on March 10, 2013.

Bibliography:

Gumbrecht, Jamie. "Popular and Fashionable - Paris Native Sprinkled Style All Over Lexington." Lexington Herald Leader, February 4, 2005.

Edwards, Don. "There's More to Come." Lexington Herald Leader, December 15, 2002.

Copley, Rich. "Friends will miss Lexington Artist's Wit as well as her Talent." Lexington Herald Leader, March 13, 2013.

Portrait of Lucille Caudill Little. Photo courtesy of Mary Rezny.