Florence Hill’s influence runs deep in the California Building and beyond. Best known for leading a figure-drawing cooperative for 50 years, Hill created a vital space for artists to gather, study the human form, and refine their craft. A lifelong artist and painter, she has nurtured generations of artists, fostering a spirit of discipline, experimentation, and community that helped shape the creative culture of Northeast Minneapolis.
Hill came to the California Building in the early 1990s after being gentrified out of a different studio. Hill was instrumental in establishing a welcoming atmosphere within the California Building—one where artists at any level could find mentorship, practical support, and a sense of belonging. For decades, she has opened up her studio space each Sunday, with the simple invitation to come and draw from a model and hone one’s own drawing skills together. “It gives me stability,” she said, knowing she can say “the door will be open and the coffee will be on on Sunday from 2:00 to 5:00.”
Hill has many fond memories from the figure-drawing coop, but particularly noted Cynthia Amendt, who modeled frequently for the co-op, including once on Christmas Day. Toward the end of her life, Amendt suffered from a brain tumor and needed the help of a service dog, but she continued to model for the group.
The figure drawing community branched out internationally in 1972, when Elizabeth Manfredi met Alain Mauvieu, a Frenchman who owned a farmhouse in the interior of Brittany. Back at the drawing co-op, Manfredi described the beautiful Brittany landscapes, just waiting to be painted. Florence began to organize trips to the farmhouse, bringing others in the co-op along with her. A great intercontinental friendship was born.
The French locals were dumbfounded that the American group wanted to paint their small, rural interior setting, rather than the popular coastal areas. But to the visitors, the scenery was paradise. Hill said there was a particular quality to the light in Brittany, humid and long-lasting. They painted all day, every day, sometimes until 11pm when the light allowed, for as many days as their money lasted. The cooperative worked together to cook, keep house, and carpool to their plein air locations.
Hill said “there were myths flying back and forth” between the French and the Americans; “We had heard they didn’t bathe very often. And they had heard we were afraid of microbes.” But year after year, language barriers were overcome, and friendships grew strong. “We took turns cooking. Even the men did, that surprised the French. We would invite everybody. Our table was so huge.”
A local gallery and framer worked with the group of artists to show their paintings, and the sales supported their visits. They took commissions from locals to paint their houses, shops, and windows. Hill said she painted the dress shop, the chocolate shop, the bakery, and many other local favorites.
Hill was saddened to watch the recent tariff and trade war include allies like France. Referring to the United States, she said, “We were good pals with France. We’ve gone through a number of wars together. When we wanted help, they helped us. When they did the Statue of Liberty, that was paid for by everybody in France. They gave for this new country.”
Over 25 years, Cindy Landis, Larry Kitzman, Martin Arend, Susan Weinberg, Patricia Canney, Richard Stevens, Frank Wetzel, and many others from the coop joined Hill on the annual trip. But with Alain’s passing, the farmhouse was sold. “It’s only in our memory now.” Hill still visits France, but after battling cancer the past several years, she doesn’t paint plein air anymore.
As she approached her 95th birthday, someone told Hill, “you’re a real life hog. Why don’t you save some of it for us?” Hill chuckled, unperturbed. For the past half-century of her 95 years, Hill has made a practice not of hogging but of sharing—sharing space, art, learnings, friendship, trips to France—life!
With the help of excellent care at the Mayo Clinic, she said her cancer is in “healing mode.” At her age, they can’t call it remission. But she’s back on her feet, like a proper life hog, sharing her bounty with others.
By Katherine Boyce, April 25, 2025
Previously published article about the life drawing co-op: Minneapolis artist Florence Hill has hosted a life drawing co-op for nearly four decades, by Kevyn Burger, for the Minnesota Star Tribune, June 3, 2013