Helen Murray Sipala's Oral History

Helen Murray Sipala was the longtime owner of Painter's Folly from 1974 to 2018. Helen was a close friend, model, and confidante to the American artist, Andrew Wyeth, and recorded her friendship with Wyeth in a diary, now published as a book.

Members of the Painter's Folly Preservation Alliance hired historian Thomas Wood to record Helen's oral history. Wood interviewed Helen Sipala in her home over the course of three sessions. The recordings are held in perpetuity at the University of Kentucky's Louie B. Nunn Center of Oral History.

Project Summary: This project is a series of 3 interviews with Helen Sipala. Artist Andrew Wyeth held a significant place in the heart of his neighbors, Helen and George Sipala. They shared in one another's special events and holidays. Helen, who sometimes modeled for Wyeth, became his confidant in painting, family, religion, and many other sensitive subjects. She kept a diary, at his request, of their conversations. The interviews focus on Sipala's early life growing up in the community of Embreeville Psychiatric hospital and her close friendship with Andrew Wyeth. Helen Sipala published her diary about Wyeth: Beyond the Marriage Bed: My Years as Friend, Model, and Confidante of Andrew Wyeth.

Further Research: https://www.kentuckyoralhistory.org/ark:/16417/xt7vzzjmr7cks