Elizabeth "Betty" Asche Douglas

Elizabeth “Betty” Asche Douglas, often referred to as the “First Lady of the Arts,” leaves behind a remarkable legacy filled with groundbreaking achievements in visual arts, music, and education.

Raised and educated in Beaver Falls, Elizabeth displayed academic, artistic, creative, and musical excellence from an early age. At just 15 years old, she graduated from high school and enrolled in college, embarking on a journey that would lead her to break barriers and inspire generations.

Betty made history as the first African American admitted to Carnegie Tech (now Carnegie Mellon University) in the Art Program, where she earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. She continued her education at the University of Pittsburgh, studying Art History, Drawing, and Painting, and ultimately earned a Master’s Degree.

Her professional journey took her to Texas, where she taught at an HBCU, met her husband, and later became the Creative/Art Director for Sepia Magazine. Eventually, she returned to her hometown with her husband, both securing nearby teaching positions.

A few years later, she achieved Professor status at Geneva College, where she co-developed the Humanities and Fine Arts Program and Curriculum. In the mid-1970s, she founded Douglas Gallery, a space dedicated to increasing the presence and accessibility of art within the community. The gallery was located in Rochester, right next to her home, where she and her husband raised their three daughters.

Betty received local, state, and national recognition, earning numerous awards and honors for her contributions to both visual arts and music. Even in her later years, she remained actively engaged in creative and educational activities until health concerns forced her to slow down.

Although she passed away on July 15, 2023, at the age of 92, Betty never stopped creating, inspiring, and advocating for the arts. Her legacy lives on through Daughters of Elizabeth, her family, students, and the countless lives she touched through her work.