Born to Polish immigrants in 1885 in Morris Run, Pennsylvania, Makielski spent the greater part of his youth in South Bend, Indiana, but eventually relocated to Illinois to pursue his education in art. From 1903 until 1909 he studied at the Art Institute of Chicago; it was there that he was the recipient of the "John Quincy Adams Traveling Fellowship" four times consecutively, and, at the age of 23, became an instructor.Pandolfi, Nicco, "Leon Makielski drawings collection: 1923-1961 (bulk 1920s-1930s)", "The Bentley Historical Library, The University of Michigan, 2016Downie, Katherine. "Local Artist Leon Makielski Remembered in Exhibit at Saline District Library." The Saline Post: 29 Sept. 2017: N.P. Web. 2 Feb. 2019.
