Alice T. Wadowski-Bak (August 8, 1935 – June 14, 2008) was a noted

Polish-American Polish Americans () are Americans who either have total or partial Polish ancestry, or are citizens of the Republic of Poland. There are an estimated 8.81 million self-identified Polish Americans, representing about 2.67% of the U.S. population, ...

artist and creator of wycinanki (paper-cutting). Her most famous work is

Wigilia Wigilia () is the traditional Christmas Eve vigil supper in Poland, held on December 24. The term is often applied to the whole of Christmas Eve, extending further to Pasterka— midnight Mass, held in Roman Catholic churches all over Poland a ...

, which has been the cover art of Oplatek sold across the U.S. Ms. Wadowski-Bak's work has been exhibited at the Albright Knox in Buffalo, the Boston Institute of Contemporary Art and the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts.

Life

Trained in Buffalo NY, Alice's art caught the eye of Buffalo Society of Artists president, Polish Arts Club of Buffalo founder and esteemed artist Eugene Dyczkowski. Dyczkowski offered the young artist a scholarship. Unfortunately for Alice she was not able to accept it at the time. Ms. Bak was able to attend

Syracuse University Syracuse University (informally 'Cuse or SU) is a Private university, private research university in Syracuse, New York, United States. It was established in 1870 with roots in the Methodist Episcopal Church but has been nonsectarian since 1920 ...

for her master's of fine art, and completed her studies at the

University at Buffalo The State University of New York at Buffalo (commonly referred to as UB, University at Buffalo, and sometimes SUNY Buffalo) is a public university, public research university in Buffalo, New York, Buffalo and Amherst, New York, United States. ...

. She moved to New York City and worked as a book illustrator and fabric designer. Ms. Bak was the art instructor to Caroline Kennedy in the 1960s.

Vincent Price Vincent Leonard Price Jr. (May 27, 1911 – October 25, 1993) was an American actor. He was known for his work in the horror film genre, mostly portraying villains. He appeared on stage, television, and radio, and in more than 100 films. Price ...

was a fan of her artwork. Bak, a devout Catholic, also created a painting that was presented to

Pope John Paul II Pope John Paul II (born Karol Józef Wojtyła; 18 May 19202 April 2005) was head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State from 16 October 1978 until Death and funeral of Pope John Paul II, his death in 2005. In his you ...

, and hangs in the Vatican on permanent exhibition. After working in New York City, Bak returned to Niagara Falls. She worked with the Polish School at Holy Trinity Church. In 1996 Ms. Bak won the Am-Pol Eagle Citizen of the Year Award for Media. On June 14, 2008 Alice Wadowski-Bak died and is interred at Holy Trinity Cemetery, Lewiston, NY. ;Works *Wigilia, *Sleeping Beauty, *Broadway-Fillmore (1982) ;Book Illustrations: *Polish Folklore and Myth by Joanne Asala, *Polish Proverbs by Joanne Asala, *The Owl's Nest: Folk Tales from Friesland by Dorothy Gladys Spicer

References

Artist Alice Bak diesAlice T. Bak
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wadowski, Alice American artists 1935 births 2008 deaths American people of Polish descent University at Buffalo alumni