Davison (1909–2000) was born in Ottawa.[1] She studied life drawing and sculpture at the High School of Commerce with Lionel Fosbery and Ernest Fosbery; with Alma Duncan at the Ottawa Municipal Art Centre (1962); with Duncan de Kergommeaux at Carleton University, Ottawa (1968–1969); and with James Boyd, Hilde Schreier, and Victor Tolgesy at the Ottawa Municipal Art Centre again (1972–1974).[2] She credited Alma Duncan with encouraging her to return to her artistic career.[3]
Her studies in printmaking with Hilde Schreier during the 1970s led Davison to experiment with the creation of cast paper reliefs,[1] and it is in this medium that she found success.[3] Her 1974 print Paper Roses received a $1,000 purchase award from the Ontario Arts Council (1974).[1] Her awards and grants include the Martha Jackson Gallery, New York, purchase award (1977); purchase award, 6th International Miniature Print Competition (1977); Reid Memorial Award, Print, and Drawing Council of Canada (P&DCC), Calgary (1977); the Harold Pitman prize (1978); and a purchase award from the Glenhyrst Art Gallery of Brant in 1983 and others.[3][2]
She also danced and acted with the Ottawa Little Theatre,[1] through the 1930s and 1940s when she was also frequently photographed by Yousuf Karsh. She held her first solo exhibition in the theatre's foyer in 1945.[3] Her solo and two-artist shows include: Robertson Galleries, Ottawa (1970); Gallery Graphics, Ottawa (2-artist, 1977) and others. Her important group shows include: Graphex 4, Art Gallery of Brantford (1976); 6th Intl. Miniature Print Exhibition, Pratt Graphic Institute, NYC (1977); Graphex 5, Art Gallery of Brantford (1977).[2]
Her work is represented in many public collections, such as the Art Gallery of Ontario; the National Gallery of Canada, and others.[2] She was a member of the Print and Drawing Council of Canada and of Canadian Artists' Representation.[2]
