BRITISH COLUMBIA ARTISTS  

Evelyn Marie Cools
(Evelyn Cools Middleton, m Doug Middleton)

April 26 1920 - July 5 1989

Crofton House School, Vancouver (graduate 1937)
U.B.C. Women's Undergraduate Society (member 1940)
University of British Columbia (graduate 1942 B.A.)
Revelstoke Teachers' Association (President 1945)
Provincial Institute of Technology & Art, Calgary (Elementary Diploma 1947)
Calgary Exhibition & Stampede (exhibitor & awards 1946, 1947)
Vernon Group of Artists (member 1947)
Oceola Arts Council (charter member)
Oceola Artists' Group (founding member)
Okanagan Mainline Regional Arts Council (President)
Vernon IODE Junior Chapter (Regent)
British Council Study Scholarship (1-year study grant 1949)
Business & Professional Women's Club (International relations 1952)
The Paddock Summer School of Fine Arts (Instructor, Director 1959-63)

Note: memberships, positions, and dates are based on published references, and are likely more extensive


Evelyn Cools was born in Vernon in 1920. Her father Joseph Marie Charles Cordille Cools was born in Lierre, Belgium, and came to Canada about 1901. He became a fruit rancher. Her mother Vera Wilmot was born in Kingston ON.

Cools attended Crofton House School in Vancouver, matriculating in 1937.

She exhibited artwork from 1943 to 1948 in the B.C. Artists exhibitions at the Vancouver Art Gallery. The artist was living in Okanagan Centre. Her sister Adrienne Cools was also an exhibiting artist.

According to a brief biographical file on-line at the Kelowna Art Gallery, she attended UBC, then taught high school in the Okanagan and took summer classes at the Banff Centre.

She entered artwork into the Calgary Exhibition & Stampede in 1946, winning the following awards:
     3rd - Class 1, open classes, oil paintings, original landscape or marine
     Highly Commended - Class 3, Open class, water colors, original, landscape or marine
     1st - Class 4, open classes, still life, fruit, flowers, etc., water colors, original
     2nd - Class 10 - Senior amateur classes, oil paintings, original, landscape or marine
     1st - Class 12, senior amateur classes, still life, fruit, flowers, etc., water colors, original
     2nd - Class 14, Senior amateur classes, pastel paintings, original landscape or marine
     2nd - Class 16, Senior amateur classes pastel paintings, original, still life, fruit

It is interesting that Margaret Shelton won three awards in the 1946 exhibition, and also won three awards in the 1947 exhibition, taking 1st prize in Classes 1 and 8, and 2nd in Class 2.

Cools entered artwork into the Calgary Exhibition & Stampede in 1947, winning the following awards:
     2nd - Class 1, open classes, landscape or marine, oil painting, original
     2nd - Class 4, open classes, still life, fruit, flowers, etc., water colors, original
     3rd - Class 9, landscape or marine, oil paintings, original, senior amateur classes
     1st - Class 11, senior classes amateur, landscape or marine, water colors, original
     2nd - Class 12, senior classes amateur, still life, fruit, flowers, etc., water colors, original
     1st - Class 13, senior classes amateur, landscape or marine, pastel paintings, original
     1st - Class 15, senior classes amateur, still life, fruit, flowers, etc., pastel paintings, original


1959 advertisement

Cools married Doug Middleton in 1952, and the two later ran and taught at a summer art camp at Carr's Landing, north of Kelowna. It was known as The Paddock, established in 1955, and continued in operation until at least 1963 based on their advertisements.


The Vernon News, February 15 1965, courtesy private collection

Evelyn's husband Doug Middleton was a first cousin of well-known Okanagan artist Janet Holly Middleton, who also taught at the Paddock. The two artists were contemporary, and studied at the same schools and under the same teachers.


At Carr's Landing, "A Gift from Holly '98" courtesy private collection

She died at home in Winfield in 1989 at the age of 69. Her occupation was noted as "Housewife - At Home" and she was survived by her husband.


GROUP EXHIBITIONS
DATE EXHIBITION ARTWORK
1943 Sept. 25 - Oct. 20 VAG   B.C. Artists 12th Annual Abandoned
Tangled Garden
1944 Sept. 23 - Oct. 22 VAG   B.C. Artists 13th Annual The Poplars
Monday Morning in Banff
1945 Sept. 22 - Oct. 21 VAG   B.C. Artists 14th Annual Back Street, Banff
Yellow Mansion
1946 April 9 - 25 VAG   Penticton Artists Back Street, Banff
1946 Sept. 21 - Oct. 13 VAG   B.C. Artists 15th Annual From a Back Alley Window
Yellow Pine
1947 Sept. 20 - Oct. 12 VAG   B.C. Artists 16th Annual Winter Lane, Revelstoke
Stagnant Pond
1948 Sept. 18 - Oct. 10 VAG   B.C. Artists 17th Annual January Thaw
Pioneer Sash and Door Company, Vernon
1989 May 24 - 28 BCFA    Images & Objects VII Le Zoute No. 1 (etching, aquatint)

References

ARTISTS IN CANADA 1982 - UNION LIST OF ARTISTS' FILES (refer to AIC82)

IMAGES & OBJECTS VII (refer to BCFA89)

B.C. VITAL STATISTICS ON-LINE death, father's death (refer to BCVS)

https://kelownaartgallery.pastperfectonline.com/bycreator?keyword=Evelyn+Cools+Middleton

https://www.lakecountrymuseum.com/history/middletonroadestablished-2/

Not in Macdonald or McMann.

Biographical information from Bruce Middleton, Kelowna, January 25 & 27 2026.

Newspaper clippings collection received January 27 2026

Clippings

"Members of the Women's Undergraduate Society have chosen an executive for the organization of campus war work. ... Volunteering for supervision of the individual groups are ... Miss Evelyn Cools, ..."
     From "Co-eds Organize For War Work"
     Vancouver Province October 23 1940

"An increased need for teachers in British Columbia is being met by the education class of graduates, some of whom are already teaching. Ruth Wilson is posted in Richmond, and Evelyn Cools in Armstrong."
     Vancouver Sun May 14 1942

"Students and teachers regret the loss of two teachers, Acting Principal Mr. A. Lindfield and Mr. Frank Snowsell, cadet instructor, both of whom have joined the R.C.A.F. as instructors. Taking their places are Miss Evelyn Cools and Mr. William Keenleyside."
     From "H.M. Cadet Corps Reviewed At Armstrong"
     Vancouver Province May 26 1942

"Armstrong High School students, assisted by members of the teaching staff, cleared over $100 for the Junior Red Cross in a recent concert. ... The stage was backed by a colorful modernistic mural, which with the dance routine and costumes, was executed by Miss Evelyn Cools."
     From "For Red Cross: Teachers Help Raise $100 at Variety Show"
     Vancouver Province June 16 1944

"Wit, colorful character and special viewpoint are emphasized in ... Evelyn Cools' "Monday Morning in Banff" wih washing on the line and picturesque peaks in the background ... "
     From "Creative Impulse Apparent In B.C. Artists' Exhibition" by Palette
     Vancouver Province September 25 1944

"Refusal of the local School Board to include temporary and probationary teachers in the award of a recent arbitration board until next September and the subsequent refusal of the board to discuss the matter with the teachers has resulted in the resignation of three teachers concerned ... The resignation of Miss Evelyn Cools of the high school staff, filed earlier, was accepted by the board while the three other teachers were asked to reconsider. Miss Cools is president of the local Teachers' Association and has been prominent in salary negotiations since last fall."
     From "Teachers Quit At Revelstoke"
     Vancouver Province April 19 1945 page 5

"There is fine arrangement and lively color in Back Street, Banff, by Evelyn Cools ..."
     From "Penticton Artists Display Work Here" by Mildred Valley Thornton
     Vancouver Sun April 23 1946

"Art Exhibit Draws Many Out-of-Town Contestants"
     Calgary Herald July 8 1946

"Winners Named In Arts, Crafts"
     The Calgary Albertan July 9 1947

"VERNON - Second teacher on Vernon High School staff to be awarded a British Council scholarship is Miss Evelyn Cools. She will sail August 3 for a year's study in art at Camberwell, South London. The scholarship is worth 350 pounds plus tuition and transportation.
     Miss Cools, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. Cools of Okanagan Centre, is completing her second year as senior art teacher in the high school. A graduate of UBC, she began art training under Miss Jessie Topham Brown of Vernon; later attending Provincial Institute of Technology and Art in Calgary, from which she was graduated. Miss Anna Fulton, B.A., went overseas in September, 1947. There are only six scholarships awarded for Canada annually. Both were born and brought up in the Vernon district."
     From "B.C. Teacher Wins British Scholarship"
     Vancouver Province June 3 1949

"VERNON - Miss Evelyn Cools, who is now en route to England, where she will study for a year, on a British Council scholarship, at Camberwell School of Art, London, was guest of honor when Vernon Group of Artists entertained for her. Baroness Herry, on behalf of the members, made a presentation to Miss Cools.
     Miss Cools was also guest at a meeting of Major Allan Brooks, DSO, junior chapter, IODE, of which she was once regent. A presentation was made, and the chapter also planned to become a primary chapter."
     From "Vernon Honors Teacher Before Going Abroad"
     Vancouver Province July 29 1949

"Paddock Summer School of Fine Arts at Carr's Landing, near Vernon, will open June 22. Director is Evelyn Cools Middleton, BA, of Carr's Landing."
     From "Okanagan"
     Vancouver Province June 24 1959

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