1903-1991
Mildred Kaiser taught at Newark School of Fine and Industrial Arts for 62 years. She was also an artist and calligrapher, giving private instruction and doing her own work in graphic arts, including with various advertising firms. She showed art at Newark Library in 1978 and 1979. In 1968 she illustrated the book Creative Nature Crafts. She contributed to or was featured in magazines including Keramic Studio, Design, Collier’s Weekly and Modern Packaging.
In 1967 two of her students filmed “A Tribute to Mildred Kaiser” stating, “We were so impressed with Miss Kaiser with her feeling for art and life that we wanted to try to catch it on film.” Her students stated she was “a remarkable teacher and an incredible human being.”
Mildred was born in New Orleans and moved to the Newark area as a child. In 1915 and 1920, she’s shown on the census in East Orange. She graduated from the Fawcett School, a precursor of the School for Fine and Industrial Arts and from 1924 lived in Newark. In 1940 and 1950 she lived in downtown Newark at Court St and then Lincoln Park. She likely was married briefly around 1930 and later divorced. Starting in 1942 she hosted a sketching class at her house every Friday.
In the 1950s Mildred moved to the old carriage house of 55 Spruce St behind the old ACME. In 1970, the Newark Sunday News profiled Mildred stating, “Miss Mildred Kaiser lives alone in the Newark ghetto in an old carriage house with a shotgun, nine dogs, and a zest for life that belies her 67 years of age.” She had built a series of rock gardens and patios that, “isolate her half acre with an Alice in Wonderland atmosphere.” She also had a pigeon coop. She said, “I’d rather build something than tear it down.” She ended the interview saying, “I’ve got to run now it’s time for my pigeons to listen to WPAT and after that I’m going to take some of my students down to Dwyer’s for a streak. Come back soon I want to tell you about the hippie parrot that comes around here.”
In 1988, she was profiled again still at the carriage house, now with 4 dogs and 7 cats, feeding strays. She was bothered by taunts from “local youngsters” but refused to leave the house she loved.
Bibliography
“Mildred Kaiser, 88, Artist and Teacher” Star Ledger May 21, 1991
1915 NJ State Census; 1920, 1940, 1950 Federal Census
Higgins, Edward “A Personal Wonderland Maintains Ghetto Estate” Newark Sunday News Nov 28, 1967
Cusick, James, “Ex Students Film Tribute to Teacher” Newark Evening News Dec 6, 1970
Terrell, Stanley, “Former students hail Newark Art Teacher” Star Ledger Jun 8, 1986
https://archive.org/details/Information_1979-07-08/mode/2up?q=%22Mildred+Kaiser%22
Borondy, Kinga, “Urban Agony: Octogenarian wants more police officers.” Star Ledger Jun 5, 1988
Goldman, Robert “Teachers Exhibit reflects 55 year career” Star Ledger Oct 13, 1978
Finley, Charles “Future is Murky for Century Old School” Star Ledger Mar 14, 1982
Finley, Charles, “Newark mom, pups find a good neighbor” Star Ledger Aug 19, 1979
“Tribute for Dedication” Star Ledger Oct 22, 1978
Savage, Beverly, “Art students add juice to PS display” Star Ledger Apr 18, 1978
Keramic Studio: March 1923; Design April 1926, Jun 1926; Modern Packaging April 1950; Collier’s Weekly Jan 7, 1928
Fecht, Audrey, “Artist’s Garden” Newark News Sept 9, 1962
Terrell, Stanley “Old Sketch Class Pays Tribute to Art Teacher” Star Ledger Nov 12, 1985
Bensimon, Helen, “The Trouble With Harry”, Jersey Journal, Oct 28, 1966