C. P. Ferring_Artist's Biography'The Artist
yril P. Ferring ,the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. F.D. Ferring of Dubuque is, himself, a
k native Dubuquer. Born in 1900.
He attended school in Dubuque and graduated from Dubuque High School in June, 1919.
In May of 1934, he was sent to England to make sketches of King George's Jubilee that would be
used later for advertising. Royal events like anniversaries were often celebrated with advertising
specialties like tea sets, silk banners, and badges upon which the likenesses of the Royal Family
were depicted
Cyril P. Ferring was an artist and graphic designer, and he ultimately wound up in Chicago
where he met with much international success. He illustrated very popular children's books such
as How Life Begins (Chicago Book House for Children 1935).
In addition to painting he did designing for various firms. He was also is an instructor in figure
drawing and painting at the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts.
Cy Ferring's work is best known among Dubuque residents as a series of prints of Dubuque
scenes that were published and can still be found in many homes throughout Dubuque. At one
time the Dubuque Golf & Country Club had images drawn by Cy Ferring laminated in its bar
(long gone sorry to say). His illustrations of Dubuque landmarks and some original paintings are
still in the hands of Dubuque families and some are in the collections of the Dubuque Museum of
Art.
In 1929 he began work on the large murals in the Senior High School Auditorium and finished in
1938. The murals tell the story of the early settlement and the industries in and around Dubuque
as well as the agricultural endeavors of early Dubuque citizens.
He died, on July 22, 1986 (age 86) in Marfil, Mexico where he had retired. Survived by his wife
Marion.