Archives West Finding Aid

Jean (Louise Peterson) Johanson, Northwest sculptress and artist, was born in Spokane, Washington on October 3, 1911. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Washington in 1934. She studied under Dudley Pratt and completed advanced studies under Alexander Archipenko in sculpting. Studies in metalwork jewelry were undertaken with Ruth Penington.

Jean Johanson's work has been exhibited at the New York World's Fair (1939), the National Exhibition of American Artists in New York (1936), and the Seattle Art Museum (1936-1938, one artist show in 1944). Among her several first place awards for sculpture are two Music and Art Foundation awards presented in1936 and 1938. Several commissions for mosaics and sculptures completed by the artist are located in the Seattle area. Sculpture works include, the 'Spirit of Medicine,' done in collaboration with Dudley Pratt in 1948 and located at the Health Sciences building on the University of Washington campus. The metal fountain at Westlake Square (1966) and the chapel doors at Orthopedic Hospital are other examples of her work. Her mosaics may be found at the Unitarian Church in Bellevue, Holy Family Church in Kirkland, Nordstrom's Department Store in Seattle, and at the Broadmoor Golf Club, also in Seattle.

Professional activities include, membership in the Northwest Institute of Sculpture and service as President of the Northwest Designer Craftsman organization. Jean Johanson was married to architect, Perry Johanson of Naramore, Bain, Brady, and Johanson architectural firm in Seattle and lived on Mercer Island.