Evelyn Dawason

From the catalog: "The Creative Spirit of Evelyn Dawson Wynn ," Washington and Lee University, April 24, 1996

The paintings in this exhibition represent only a small segment of artwork by Evelyn Dawson (American, 1909–1990). She called her collective works “inscapes” to emphasize the fact that her colorful abstract paintings were not based on observation but were reflections of her inner psyche.

Dawson is best known as the lead designer for “Suzy Perette,” the very popular and affordable mid-twentieth century American label of French-inspired dresses. In the post-WWII era, when most women were again placed into domestic roles and defined by their husbands’ names, she kept “Dawson” as her professional appellation. Married twice, it was an audacious act of independence. 

A multi-talented artist, Dawson danced in her twenties with the Denishawn Dance Company, then the leading modern dance troupe in America. She was also a prolific painter and author, writing four novels and much poetry. We do not know why she never exhibited or published her works during her lifetime. Dawson’s first and only solo show was held posthumously at Washington and Lee University in 1996, when her second husband and W&L alumnus, Larry Wynn ’34, donated over 75 of her paintings to the university. You can see many of these works today displayed in public spaces across campus.