Join us in celebrating the life and work of prolific Ashtabula artist, Paul Tikkanen. The gallery reception will be held June 20th, 2025 from 4pm-6pm at the Conneaut Arts Center. Free admission!
Paul Tikkanen (1926–2020 )
Paul Tikkanen was a prolific and multi-talented artist whose work spanned continents, styles, and mediums. Born in 1926, he graduated from Ashtabula Harbor High School in 1945 and went on to earn his degree from the Cleveland Institute of Art in 1949. His passion for art led him to study and live in vibrant cultural centers including Paris, New York City, and Mexico.
Paul’s artistic journey was enriched by a lifetime of exploration and devotion, shared with his beloved wife, Norma Stenberg Tikkanen. Together, they traveled extensively, making 13 trips across Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East -experiences that deeply influenced his creative expression.
Throughout his life, Paul worked in a variety of roles that reflected both artistic skill and practical craftsmanship: draftsman, sign painter, portraitist, carpenter, and boiler operator. His fine art career was equally diverse, moving fluidly from classical portraiture to dynamic abstract expressionism.
Tikkanen’s work was recognized in numerous exhibitions, including multiple appearances in the prestigious May Show at the Cleveland Museum of Art:
1957 – Chipped Crystal (Special Mention; now in the CMA collection)
1967 – Brook Red Brook
1974 – The Room (Special Mention)
Other notable exhibitions include:
1951 - Ashtabula Arts Association invitational exhibit
1960s – Winter Show at Ashtabula Fine Arts Center (The Scene, 3rd Place)
1960s – Solo exhibition at Topkey Memorial Library featuring 50 abstract sculptures
1961 – Solo show at the Fine Arts Center
1960s – Participation in the 32nd Traveling Watercolor Exhibition at the Ashtabula Fine Arts Center
1960 – Big Break, 24th Annual Midyear Juried Art Show at the Butler Institute of American Art, Youngstown, OH
Tikkanen's work was acquired by several permanent collections, including Billow Beach, Clampitts, Riverside Art Museum (NYC), and Iroquois. He also contributed murals to the Ashtabula Youth Center (celebrating music and dance) and Redmonds in Saybrook (highlighting local landmarks and community life).
A passionate creator and curious soul, Paul Tikkanen leaves behind a legacy of artistic exploration, regional pride, and timeless visual storytelling.
Paul left an endowment to help the arts continue to thrive in Ashtabula County. This gallery is funded graciously in part by the Ashtabula Arts Center Foundation.
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