Nate McClain (1973 - 1997)
Nate McClain is an American visual artist best known for his large-scale murals which have gained posthumous acclaim.
Nathanial (Nate) McClain was born in Granite City, Illinois on August 6, 1973. He was an only child with a natural talent for art. At age 4, Nate became a published artist when his Happy Birthday Card was nationally sold in 1978 by Hello Studio's Children's Art Collection at retailers such as Famous-Barr. His passion for art continued as he won student awards for St. Louis Fireworks & Arnolfini Pasta Portrait. He attended Southwest Missouri State University (now Missouri State) from 1991 to 1995 and received a BFA in Illustration. While in college, his mother Lynn passed away from cancer which profoundly impacted him and his art became harsher & darker. After graduation he worked in St. Louis, Missouri as a freelance artist being commissioned for large scale murals such as Ozzie Smith Retires & Ultimate Sports and holding group art exhibits. Nate was an emerging artist when he tragically passed away from an accidental drowning in the Mississippi river on September 7, 1997 at the age of 24.
Posthumously, the Nate McClain Gallery opened in 2003 providing private collectors a space to crowd-curate his artwork and share his life story. The Gallery has helped save McClain's 16' by 8' Ultimate Sports mural from demolition, attempted to locate his Ozzie Smith Retires (still missing), and organized exhibits of McClains's work. Internationally he has gained a following from the Museums & the Web International Conference, The Alcoholic on an Argentinian magazine cover, and thru social media engagement. Twenty years after his passing, his life and artistic legacy continue to resonate and inspire.
Nathanial (Nate) McClain was born in Granite City, Illinois on August 6, 1973. He was an only child with a natural talent for art. At age 4, Nate became a published artist when his Happy Birthday Card was nationally sold in 1978 by Hello Studio's Children's Art Collection at retailers such as Famous-Barr. His passion for art continued as he won student awards for St. Louis Fireworks & Arnolfini Pasta Portrait. He attended Southwest Missouri State University (now Missouri State) from 1991 to 1995 and received a BFA in Illustration. While in college, his mother Lynn passed away from cancer which profoundly impacted him and his art became harsher & darker. After graduation he worked in St. Louis, Missouri as a freelance artist being commissioned for large scale murals such as Ozzie Smith Retires & Ultimate Sports and holding group art exhibits. Nate was an emerging artist when he tragically passed away from an accidental drowning in the Mississippi river on September 7, 1997 at the age of 24.
Posthumously, the Nate McClain Gallery opened in 2003 providing private collectors a space to crowd-curate his artwork and share his life story. The Gallery has helped save McClain's 16' by 8' Ultimate Sports mural from demolition, attempted to locate his Ozzie Smith Retires (still missing), and organized exhibits of McClains's work. Internationally he has gained a following from the Museums & the Web International Conference, The Alcoholic on an Argentinian magazine cover, and thru social media engagement. Twenty years after his passing, his life and artistic legacy continue to resonate and inspire.
Early Years: 1973 - 1987
Nathan Allen McClain was born August 6, 1973 to David and Lynn (Shepard) McClain in Granite City, Illinois which is an industrial steel mill town near St. Louis, Missouri. He went by Nate and would be their only child. As a child, Nate received art lessons from his mother Lynn who was an artist with a Bachelors of Fine Arts (BFA) from Louisiana State University (LSU) and a major influence in his life.
In 1978, Nate participated in an "art-in" event at a St. Louis MO Famous-Barr department store. The event was sponsored by Shelli Lipton of Hello Studios, Inc and allowed children to create drawings which could become mass produced greeting cards. Hello Studios selected Nate's drawing for a Birthday Card and he became a published artist at the age of 4. Nate’s card sold for 0.50 cents at national retailers, including Famous-Barr.
During Nate’s elementary & middle school years in Granite City, his abilities were quickly recognized and encouraged by his teachers. His artistic creativity continued to expand and he always seemed to have a crayon, pencil, or marker in his hand drawing cartoons with Garfield being a favorite at the time. In addition to enjoying art, Nate became a competitive swimmer and diver. He attended Nameoki Elementary School for 1st thru 3rd grade until the school closed in 1982, Maryville Elementary School thru 6th grade, and Coolidge Middle School thru 8th grade.
While in Middle School, Nate became interested in photography and won National Honors in a Kodak Student Photography Contest in 1987.
In 1978, Nate participated in an "art-in" event at a St. Louis MO Famous-Barr department store. The event was sponsored by Shelli Lipton of Hello Studios, Inc and allowed children to create drawings which could become mass produced greeting cards. Hello Studios selected Nate's drawing for a Birthday Card and he became a published artist at the age of 4. Nate’s card sold for 0.50 cents at national retailers, including Famous-Barr.
During Nate’s elementary & middle school years in Granite City, his abilities were quickly recognized and encouraged by his teachers. His artistic creativity continued to expand and he always seemed to have a crayon, pencil, or marker in his hand drawing cartoons with Garfield being a favorite at the time. In addition to enjoying art, Nate became a competitive swimmer and diver. He attended Nameoki Elementary School for 1st thru 3rd grade until the school closed in 1982, Maryville Elementary School thru 6th grade, and Coolidge Middle School thru 8th grade.
While in Middle School, Nate became interested in photography and won National Honors in a Kodak Student Photography Contest in 1987.
High School: 1987 - 1991
Nate McClain attended Granite City High School in Granite City, Illinois from 1987–1991 where his artistic abilities flourished. He had a natural fun-loving spirit, was known throughout many different social circles, and was on the Homecoming Court. Nate was an athletic artist who enjoyed playing tennis, golf, and became a certified lifeguard. He refined his ability to create reproductions of physical objects, photographs, and other works all before the age of 18.
Some of his most treasured pieces were created during this prolific period resulting in numerous awards and accolades including
Some of his most treasured pieces were created during this prolific period resulting in numerous awards and accolades including
- Attends summer Art Camp at University of Notre Dame
- Attends the elite Marie Walsh Sharpe Art Foundation Seminar at Colorado College as 1 of only 24 Midwest High School Seniors to be invited
- 1st place in Central Bank Art Contest with his Fireworks painting
- 2nd Place in the "Pasta House Great Works of Art Contest" for his inspired interpretation of The Arnolfini Portrait
College: 1991 - 1995
Nate McClain attended Southwest Missouri State University (SMSU) in Springfield, Missouri from 1991-1995 earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree with an emphasis in Illustration. He quickly mastered the principles of art-making that formed the curriculum which resulted in another prolific period. His artwork during this period stemmed from his wildly vivid imagination and he produced very few reproductions. Nate was active on campus, joined the Delta Chi fraternity, and made many lasting friendships.
November 29, 1993: Four days after Thanksgiving, Nate's mother Lynn died after a short 4-month battle with cancer. Lynn was his biggest supporter and her sudden passing profoundly affected Nate and his artwork. His color choices became much darker and his themes harsher after her death. A memorial fund was setup in Lynn's honor at Prather Elementary School in Granite City, Illinois where she was a teacher. This fund would prove pivotal a decade after her passing to save one of Nate's artworks.
November 29, 1993: Four days after Thanksgiving, Nate's mother Lynn died after a short 4-month battle with cancer. Lynn was his biggest supporter and her sudden passing profoundly affected Nate and his artwork. His color choices became much darker and his themes harsher after her death. A memorial fund was setup in Lynn's honor at Prather Elementary School in Granite City, Illinois where she was a teacher. This fund would prove pivotal a decade after her passing to save one of Nate's artworks.
Emerging Artist: 1996 - 1997
After completing his Illustration degree, Nate McClain went to the Northeast as a Art Camp instructor and his Father had remarried around this time. In August 1996, Nate moved into the Art Lofts of downtown St. Louis, Missouri with one of his best friends, Dave. His loft quickly became a major social gathering spot for parties and he frequented the local downtown bars near the apartment. While in the Art Loft environment, Nate was surrounded by many types of artists (musical, visual, performance, etc.) which inspired him to produce some of the largest scale paintings in his career.
Nate was living the "starving" artist lifestyle by working various waiter positions around St. Louis and as a freelance commercial artist. Artistically, 1996 & 1997 were exceptional years for Nate and everything was coming together for him including:
Nate was living the "starving" artist lifestyle by working various waiter positions around St. Louis and as a freelance commercial artist. Artistically, 1996 & 1997 were exceptional years for Nate and everything was coming together for him including:
- Painting 9'x 7' Ozzie Smith mural for Ozzie Smith's Retirement Event auction at America's Center in St. Louis (September 28, 1996)
- Painting massive 16' x 8' Ultimate Sports mural for the new Ultimate Sports store in Granite City (1997)
- "intimate Art Happening" group Art Exhibit with other Art Loft artists (April/May 1997)
- Travel to New York City attending the David Letterman show where his friend appeared on the Top 10 list (May 1997)
- Road trip from St. Louis to Los Angeles, California and back (August 1997)
September 7, 1997
Nate McClain attended the wedding of two SMSU college friends in Louisiana, Missouri on September 6, 1997. After midnight, some friends wanted to go swimming in the Mississippi river next to the hotel. Nate, a certified lifeguard, was the first to dive into the Mississippi river off a nearby bridge and he never surfaced. Authorities later found his body downstream.
Nathan Allen McClain died tragically at the age of 24 on September 7, 1997. A few days after his passing, an Anheuser-Busch licensed screenprint company called to offer him a job as Head Art Director in Lebanon, MO which would have launched his Professional art career.
Nathan Allen McClain died tragically at the age of 24 on September 7, 1997. A few days after his passing, an Anheuser-Busch licensed screenprint company called to offer him a job as Head Art Director in Lebanon, MO which would have launched his Professional art career.
Posthumous Accomplishments
The first memorial for Nate was in 1998 when Granite City High School installed display cases in his name so art students could showcase their work. Six years after Nate's passing, the Nate McClain Gallery opened on what would have been his 30th birthday in 2003. The Gallery is a crowd-curated experience where private collectors share Nate's artwork & his life story which have inspired community action & gained international attention. His posthumous accomplishments include:
Twenty years after his passing, Nate's artistic legacy continues to resonate and inspire.
- 20th Anniversary of Nate's passing honored with "Painting the Town: Legacy of Nate McClain" Exhibit and Book (2017)
- Rebuilt the Gallery with digitally restored Artwork featuring larger and clearer images (2016)
- Portfolio expanded to 100 pieces of McClain's art as part of Gallery 10th Anniversary (2013)
- 10th Anniversary of Nate's passing honored with redesigned Gallery reflecting web aesthetics of the time (2007)
- Magazine Cover featured "The Alcoholic" on Hablemos an international publication from Argentina (2005)
- Presented at Museums & the Web Int'l Conference on "Impacting & Inspiring Communities" (2005)
- St. Louis media helped search for 9' by 7' Ozzie Smith Retires mural. Painting location remains unknown (2005)
- Posthumous Art Exhibit features 23 original McClain pieces at the dedication for Ultimate Sports (2005)
- Saved 16' by 8' Ultimate Sports mural from demolition & relocated it to Coolidge Middle School via grassroots effort (2004)
- Opened the Nate McClain Gallery as crowd curated gallery with 30 art pieces in honor of Nate's 30th birthday (2003)
Twenty years after his passing, Nate's artistic legacy continues to resonate and inspire.
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