WOMEN OF NIAGARA
AN ART INSTALLATION FEATURING THE PORTRAITS OF POLLY KING.
The Niagara Falls National Heritage Area is thrilled to announce the installation of a new public art project at the former Jenss Department Store on Main Street in Niagara Falls. The installation, Women of Niagara, made possible through funding from the New York State Downtown Revitalization Initiative, showcases 86 artworks by renowned local artist, Polly King.
Polly King was a prolific artist in Niagara Falls throughout the 20th century who created thousands of artworks throughout her lifetime. She painted the world around her, from the creation and building of the New York State Power Project, scenes from her adopted hometown of Niagara Falls, to abstract works. However, it is her Portrait Collection that is the focus of this new outdoor public art installation. Polly King painted over 450 portraits throughout her life in a diverse range of artistic styles and mediums, representing an amazing cross section of Niagara Falls society in the 20th century. Polly’s portraits present an artistic anthropological study of the community of Niagara Falls, and 74 of those portraits are showcased in the windows of the Jenss building.
COME SEE IT YOURSELF
THE JENSS BUILDING
The installation is located in the former Jenss building, located at:
1708 Main St.
Niagara Falls, NY 14305
WOMEN OF NIAGARA: THE PORTRAIT LADIES OF POLLY KING
Women of Niagara: The Portrait Ladies of Polly King, is open to the public Thursdays and Saturdays, 11 AM - 4 PM, at Grayline Niagara Falls. Admission is free.
2351 Whirlpool St
Niagara Falls, NY 14305
MEET THE WOMEN OF NIAGARA
This art installation features real women that lived in or visited Niagara Falls and somehow entered Polly King's world. Thanks to the dedicated work of Sandy Rutkowski, many of the women Polly painted have been identified. Beyond just identifying them, their stories have been researched and we now know a great deal about many of the people we see in these portraits. Feel free to hover or tap the dots to learn about these women. As more information comes in, we'll update them and if you know any of the unidentified ladies, be sure to let us know!
Main Street Side
Division Street Side
ABOUT THE JENSS BUILDING
The Jenss Department Store building, located at 1708 Main Street in Niagara Falls, New York, stands as a testament to the city's rich commercial history. Erected in 1916, the grand edifice, once known as the "grand old lady of Main Street," served as the flagship store for the Jenss Brothers Department Store chain, a prominent local retailer for nearly eight decades. Its five floors housed a vast array of merchandise, from apparel and home goods to toys and cosmetics, catering to the needs of Niagara Falls residents and tourists alike. The store's closure in 1995 marked a significant loss for the city's retail landscape, but the building's legacy endures, its architectural grandeur and historical significance preserved for future generations.
Jenss Building, ca. 1940
PHOTO GALLERY
The Niagara Falls National Heritage Area is one of 62 National Heritage Areas in the United States. Designated by the United States Congress in 2008, its mission is to preserve, protect and promote the historic, natural and cultural resources of the area stretching from Niagara Falls to Old Fort Niagara in Youngstown, New York.
Contact us
716-286-8579info@discoverniagara.orgPO BOX 1940Niagara University, NY 14109
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