Alfred McNamara

(1911 - 1994)

Alfred McNamara was born in Tompkinsville, Staten Island and lived most of his life in Staten Island.

He was heavily influenced by John Sloane, Edward Hopper, and others of the Ash Can School in the 1920’s and 1930’s. During the 1930’s, he received his basic art training under Walter Drewes, through a program sponsored by the WPA (Works Projects Administration) at the Brooklyn Museum of Art.

Later McNamara also studied with Bernie Klonis at the New York Industrial School of Art. He then worked professionally as a costume and scene designer for James P. Balderson, who designed for the stage of the old Roxy Theater in Manhattan. He also illustrated in part several popular pulp magazines of the pre-war period. During World War II, he served in the United States Air Force for four years, spending most of that time overseas. In 1944, he won second prize in an Eighth Air Force Show in England.

In the 1960’s, he took several prizes in various group shows of museum members of the Staten Island Museum in St. George, including the Julius Weissglass Art Award, first prize in 1967. In 1970, he won the silver medal at the American Veterans Society of Artists for the best figure composition with his picture entitled Two Women.

Exhibited: Brooklyn Museum Metropolitan Museum of Art Staten Island Museum of Art American Veterans Society of Artists (Union Carbide Building, NY) Fisk University Harmon Foundation Newhouse Gallery at Snug Harbor; New York Public Library – Staten Island branch

Museums: Staten Island Museum Fisk University Collection Harmon Foundation