Boris Blai Explained

Boris Blai
Nationality:	American
Occupation:	Sculptor
Birth Date:	24 July 1893
Birth Place:	Rivne, Ukraine
Death Place:	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

Boris Blai (July 24, 1893  - June 28, 1985) was a Ukrainian-born American sculptor, and academic administrator. His work was part of the sculpture event in the art competition at the 1932 Summer Olympics.^[1]

In 1935, Blai founded and became the dean of the Stella Elkins Tyler School of Art at Temple University.^[2] The school was named for one of his former students, who, with her husband, had donated the estate where it was established.^{[3] [4]}

Two of Blai's sculptures are publicly accessible on the Temple campus: a large bust of Temple's founder Russell Conwell which decorates Conwell's grave site, and a small statue of Johnnie Ring, Conwell's orderly during the Civil War.^[5]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Boris Blai . Olympedia . August 8, 2020.
2. Web site: Boris Blai Personal Papers. temple.edu. August 24, 2021.
3. "Sculptress Gives College $1,000,000 for Two-Year Course". News-Week. July 13, 1935. p. 34-35. Retrieved May 8, 2022 via Proquest database. "In September [the university] hopes to open the Stella Elkins Tyler Fine Arts College of Temple University.... No faculty has been chosen as yet, but Philadelphians feel sure that Blai,—Mrs. Tyler's genial stout teacher—will get the post of director."
4. News: 20 October 1935 . Temple Art Classes in 50-Room Mansion — Four-Year Course Is Instituted on Former Tyler Estate in Elkins Park. . . N7 . "Under the direction of Boris Blai, sculptor, who is director of the new school, the [Tyler mansion] has been remodeled into classrooms and studios.".
5. Web site: Artist: Boris Blai. philart.net. August 24, 2021.