Norma and Joe Gulick

Norma and Joe Gulick married in 1942 at the age of 20. Both greatly valued education, enjoyed lifelong learning, and loved to create!

Norma who painted and designed her whole life began her artistic work in high school creating movie posters for a local cinema’s contest. She would win tickets as the prize and Joe would provide the .15 cents for candy during the show. Norma received a one-year scholarship to a national art school. Unfortunately, scholarship funding ended and Norma could not continue her studies. However, this did not squelch her passion for art. Wherever Norma and Joe called home there was always a studio for Norma, who passed away in January 2014. Norma and Joe moved into their “summer place” in Cecil County in 1973. Norma became known as a gifted artist whose work achieved world-wide recognition. Her paintings, including originals and works inspired by the masters, are in museums and private collections around the world. Her paintings were featured in a solo exhibit at Cecil College accompanied by a presentation by Norma on porcelain painting. Norma was also a respected teacher, particularly in the art of porcelain painting.

Joe served in the Coast Guard on a Navy ship during World War II. Upon returning from the war, he attended the University of Maryland and earned an engineering degree. His intriguing career landed him a position designing radio antennas for Radio Free Europe, testing electronics for Westinghouse, and serving as an engineering group supervisor for Johns Hopkins. Joe flew on a plane during the Vietnam War measuring enemy radar to design anti-radar missiles. He designed missiles for the Navy that changed the Talos missile guidance system and was awarded numerous patents. In addition to creating missiles, Joe’s passion for creativity shows in his pursuit of photography.