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Sheila Lamb Obituary
Sheila was born in South Philadelphia on December 9th, 1932 where she was raised by her Hungarian immigrant grandparents. It was there at the Neighborhood Center that she first discovered her creative urge.
Displaying promise with her work in sculpture and pottery Sheila was awarded a National Merit Scholarship to study sculpture at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts where she won the Stewardson Prize for sculpture and the coveted Cresson Award for study abroad, which allowed her to travel to England, France, Italy and Greece, immersing herself in the art of the Renaissance, one of many formative experiences.
In 1959, Sheila moved to New York where she taught sculpture at The Henry Street Settlement and in 1965 was hired by the Dalton School to create the first art curriculum for the First Program "Little Dalton." There she continued to work in various capacities for the next 50 years never losing her love for her young students and for teaching.
Later in life Sheila returned to Italy to study sculpture at the Accademia di Belle Arte in Massa-Carrara, and studied printmaking at Pratt Graphics Center with Clare Romano. She also studied photography at the International Center of Photography as well as Art Therapy with Margaret Naumberg at The New School for Social Research. In 1987, Sheila made her first of many trips to the Samoan Islands initially studying tapa design with Mary Pritchard, renowned Samoan tapa artist, and later developing her own artistic vision inspired by the people, legends, and landscapes.
Prior to her death Sheila worked primarily as a printmaker and watercolorist. These vivid and exuberant works reflect her Samoan influences, and her innate feeling for color and design. Her final pieces were vibrant collages made of previous works .
Up until her death Sheila was an avid gardener and ardent political activist supporting many Progressive causes.
Sheila is survived by her daughters Andrea Travaglia and Maya Travaglia, her grandaughters Sara Nana-Sinkham and Kate Chadwick, her great-grand children Charlie and Oliver Nana-Sinkham and Charlotte Chadwick and her sisters Barbara Schiff and Linda Lamb.
A celebration of Sheila's life will be held at the The Plaza Jewish Community Chapel, 630 Amsterdam Avenue NY, NY on Saturday, June 10th, 2023, 3pm.
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Sasha Koren
July 13, 2024
Sasha Koren
July 13, 2024
Sasha Koren
July 13, 2024
Love you forever, Sheila. Still think about you, 48-something years later.
Linda Sirow
January 8, 2024
My first memory of Sheila was as a parent. I was so impressed with the "reports" from my Kindergartener in 1988. I am an artist, and I loved that my son was learning how to be a creative artist. I loved it. A few years later, I developed a real friendship while volunteering to assist in the art room one day a week - I loved that also and grew to love Sheila as a mentor, teacher, and artist. When there was a temporary opening in the middle/high school art program at 89th Street, Sheila recommended me. I got that position and eventually taught there for 27 years! What a fabulous job, and I continue to thank Sheila in my heart.
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Julie Colins
November 11, 2023
I am traveling to NYC for the first time since 1992 when I stayed with her (with my 2-year old!) for 10 days or so. I googled her and was saddened to hear of her passing. I met Shelia in 1989 American Samoa and was grateful for the opportunity to learn from a master teacher--as her assistant for many youth art events and classes. She was a good friend and mentor to me and I've thought about her very often over the past 30 years. Shelia has been a big influence in my life and I wish I could tell her so today!
William F. Drischler
July 28, 2023
How, between her art and her teaching at the Dalton School, Sheila managed to acquire her extensive knowledge of politics is something of a mystery. In the late 1970s she gave me a detailed briefing on developments in Italian politics and I had to wonder how she obtained the information. The answer could be she stayed in touch with Italian contacts on a regular basis
Abby DuBow
May 16, 2023
I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Sheila. She was always an upbeat, delightful neighbor at 711. We shared many stories about teaching art and working as artists. She recommended me for my final New York City job as an Art Teacher after I retired. Apparently she was legendary at Dalton and stories abound about her history as a teacher and an inspiration to her students. She will be missed. My deepest condolences to her family.
Julia Rosenblum Crane
February 8, 2023
Sheila was my art teacher many years ago at Dalton--
her generous, gentle being and incomperable creativity were infectious, leaving a life-long impression. I am so grateful to have known Sheila and send my deepest condolences.
Nora
February 7, 2023
Sheila was my first program art teacher at Dalton. I have such strong memories of her teaching me to cut linoleum, and encouraging me. She filled the art room with love and light, and the children loved her. Though we didn´t stay in touch, I have carried her with me in my heart well into adulthood, and I will continue to do so forever.
Linda D. Anderson
January 28, 2023
Thank you for sharing Sheila´s wonderful memory. She was a bright shining star, gifted storyteller and visual artist while keeping indigenous presence alive. The Dalton School was so fortunate to benefit from her special gifts.
E Jay Sims
January 26, 2023
I worked with Sheila on her artist website and am so sad to find she has passed away. Such a talented woman! I spoke with her last year about trying to revive her website but was unable to get back to her at that time. Today I looked into my media archive and found the files for the original site that I had coded for her in 2005. I would like to give a copy of these files to her family and the school. Please contact me about how to proceed.
Sage Sevilla
January 26, 2023
Sheila was a great mentor and a friend. In my first year as a fifth grade House Advisor, she helped me to attend the opportunities within the structures of the Dalton Plan to create Assignments or curriculum for House that would evoke each child's imagination and offer an experience of joy, freedom, community and voice. I matured in my understanding of pedagogy watching Sheila work visual arts into the academic classroom and was liberated to do the same with music, creative writing, movement and theater arts, all the while cultivating discipline and focus.
Sheila's energy was magical. Her deep regard for teaching and learning as a process of transformative communication helped me to "trust the process." She was force of unconditional love and soul power. She honored the legacy of Helen Parkhurst in her dedication to children and will live in my heart forever. Thank you, Sheila.
Maya
January 24, 2023
Miss you every day mom still can´t believe you are gone you are forever in my heart and know you are surrounded by Otis Wiley Ziggy and Gracie loving you up and giving you comfort.
Ellen Stein
January 16, 2023
I was so sad to learn of Sheila´s death. I worked with Sheila for many years while I was Director of the 1st Program and loved her. She was a remarkable artist, teacher and leader and was so dedicated to everyone of her students. She found the artistic talents in each one of them while letting them explore their own creativity. She touched so many, young and old alike, and will be greatly missed.
Elisabeth Krents
January 15, 2023
Sheila was one of the most beloved faculty members in the history of The Dalton School. Her extraordinary creativity, passion for the arts, activism for many causes, and her gift for teaching, blessed thousands of Dalton students. She can never be replaced--her spirit will always be with the children in the art studios at the First Program and with all the adult Daltonians who were fortunate to have her as a teacher, colleague, and friend.
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