The Art and Life of John Paul Miller

The Cleveland Museum of Art

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• Date Tuesday, June 03, 2025
• Time 12:00PM - 1:00PM
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Discover the cultural gem of University Circle at the Cleveland Museum of Art (CMA). Immerse yourself in a rich tapestry of artistic history and innovation. Established in 1913, the museum has been a cornerstone of our vibrant community for over... more

At once an artist, teacher, and craftsman, John Paul Miller personified a lifetime of creative expression. Orphaned at the age of two, he began taking Saturday morning classes at the CMA at the age of five and was entranced by the museum’s collection of gold and enamel boxes, and the rare 14th-century table fountain. His instructors included artists Paul Travis and Kenneth Bates. He considered stage design as a career but decided to continue his art studies at the Cleveland School of Art, now CIA. On the first day of classes, he was seated next to Frederick Miller, who became his lifelong partner in art. John Paul’s fascination with technique and process emerged in his groundbreaking rediscovery in the 1950s of granulation, an ancient yet forgotten way of fusing tiny gold beads to a gold surface without solder. This discovery led to the creation of intensely intricate works based on natural forms. The story of John Paul Miller’s life is filled with artistic collaboration, discoveries, partnerships, music, and travel.