Mary Dignam

Mary Ella Dignam (Born Mary Ella Williams; 1857–1938) was a Canadian painter, teacher, and art organizer best remembered as the founder and first president of the Women's Art Association of Canada (WAAC).

Life

Mary Ella Williams was born in Port Burwell, Canada West, on 13 January 1857. She studied art at the Western School of Art and Design in London, Ontario. In 1886 she went to New York City to further her training at the Art Students League, followed by time in Paris, France, at the artist's workshop run by Raphaël Collin (1850–1916) and Luc-Olivier Merson (1846–1920).

In 1886, Dignam founded the Women's Art Club, which later evolved into the WAAC. During her presidency (1887–1913, 1935–1938), Her works were exhibited across Canada and New York, London, and Paris.

Death

She died 6 September 1938 in Toronto, Ontario.