Ruth Reece Julian was born on this day in 1906, in Massachusetts.
She and her husband, Ira, moved to Winston-Salem in 1932 and opened the Kent Bakery in 1935.
Ruth and Ira quickly became involved in efforts to bring more arts to the city. This effort also included the drive to bring the School of the Arts to Winston-Salem. She was involved in other arts groups, such as the Sawtooth Center, the Arts Council, and the Winston-Salem Symphony.
Ruth received the arts council’s annual award for contributions to the arts in 1986, and the North Carolina State Art Award in 1964.
Ruth and Ira collected art, and filled their home on Cascade Avenue with contemporary art. Over the years, they donated pieces from their art collection to several museums. A section of the art gallery at Guilford College is named for the Julians, in recognition of an art donation that they made in 1987.
Ruth passed away in 2004.
Photo courtesy of Forsyth County Public Library Photograph Collection.
