Velma Rayness

Moved to Ames in 1932. Taught classes to young and old for 23 years in her studio built in 1934. Worked with Grant Wood on P.W.A.P. programm in 1933. Former ISU faculty member.Gerard Rayness was born in Slater, Iowa, on 7 March 1898. He studied Architectural Engineering at Iowa State College (University) and was in the Student Army Training Corps. Velma Wallace Rayness was born in Davenport, Iowa, on 31 October 1896 and grew up in Des Moines.

Gerard and Velma Rayness were both students of artist Charles Atherton Cumming and taught at the Cumming Art School in Des Moines, Iowa. Many of their works received prizes and were exhibited throughout the United States.

The Raynesses were married on 22 November 1929 in Des Moines. They moved to Ames, Iowa, in 1932 and lived close to the Iowa State College (University) campus. They built their studio in Ames in 1934 and taught private art classes for children and adults for 23 years. The Raynesses were active in the Iowa Art Guild, and Velma Rayness worked under Grant Wood on the Public Works of Art Program (1933).

Velma Rayness published the book Campus Sketches of Iowa State College (call no. LD2544.5 R21c) in 1949; the second edition, titled Campus Sketches of Iowa State University (call no. LD2544.5 .R21c2), was published in 1962.

Gerard Rayness died in Ames in 1946. Velma Wallace Rayness died in 1977, also in Ames.

Rayness, Velma Wallace. Campus Sketches of Iowa State University. Ames, Iowa: Iowa State University Press, 1962. (Call Number: LD2544.5 R21c2) Location: Special Collections; General Collection