(September 14, 1928 – May 12, 2012)

Born and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana, Ed’s earliest training was at the laboratory school of Ball State University; he later attended Indiana University. After moving to Chicago, his creativity was developed by working with some of the area’s outstanding teachers in sculpture, printmaking, and painting, including Paul Wiegart from Chicago’s Bauhaus movement. Additionally, he has painted with the artists of Cape Anne, Massachusetts, from whom he learned the use of color and light. Prior to his passing, the Santa Fe influence inspired a new mood for his landscape paintings.  He was also a teacher, mentor and board member of the North Shore Art League.

On canvas and on paper, Ed Rosen passionately used his creativity to express much of what he felt but could not say. The fullness of life and beauty, when it overwhelmed him, dripped from his brush and escaped from his pen unhesitatingly, creating a body of work that is both stunning and unimaginably prolific.  His art tells a personal story of how he wished to honor the beauty he found in everyday life and capture the inner joy that stemmed from it, so he could share that with everyone around him.  Influenced by his Midwestern upbringing, Ed’s reputation has been built around his interpretation of the human figure. These influences come together to form a style that Ed termed “abstract emotionalism.”

Before he passed away in 2012, Ed created an art trust for arts and education to give less fortunate young people who were interested in all kinds of art, the opportunity to express themselves and to be shown unconditional support to pursue their dreams. 

Genesis at the Crossroads is so proud to be the recipient of 325 of his oil paintings, etchings, monotypes, pen and ink drawings and intaglios to support our work in peacebuilding through the arts and education.

With Deep Gratitude

Edwin Rosen – Prolific Artist, Arts Educator and Humanist

The Rosen Family – Elise, Scott, Jamie, Deborah and Kenny Lamb