Polly VanArsdell
D. Pauline “Polly” VanArsdell (1907-2003) was a Minnesota artist who studied at the Ohio State University School of Art, Thurn School of Art in Gloucester, Massachusetts, and the Museum of Fine Art in Houston, Texas, and also worked for a time with artist Umberto Romano. She was commissioned by Worthington residents Max & Martha McConagha to paint several of the community’s old landmarks in 1946. This painting depicts the Worthington Female Seminary and the Principals Cottage, later known as “Bird Song”. The buildings stood where the Worthington Methodist Church parking lot is located today. The Seminary, which was a school for girls was completed in 1842, and was the first Methodist school for young women west of the Alleghenies.
547 N High St
Worthington, OH 43085
Franklin County
Please note: The Greater Columbus Arts Council (Arts Council) does not own or manage any public art. For the purposes of this database many pieces were entered by the Arts Council while we continue to search for the appropriate owner/manager of the work and other information to complete the entry. The Arts Council has tried to gather all available information about the works in this database, however, we acknowledge there may be missing or inaccurate information. If you can help us correct any inaccuracies, or provide more complete information, we would be grateful. Please use “Something missing? Please send us a note” above.