Charles Umlauf (July 17, 1911 – November 19, 1994) was an American sculptor and teacher who was born in South Haven, Michigan.

Artists teaching at UT included Loren Mozley, Everett Spruce, Kelly Fearing, Seymour Fogel, and William Lester.

Based on this gift and considerable community support, the UMLAUF Sculpture Garden and Museum was founded and opened its doors in 1991 at 605 Azie Morton Road in Austin, Texas.

Charles Umlauf was born in South Haven, Michigan, on a large farm where his family lived and worked.

The family Americanized their names (Heinrich to Henry, Wilhelm to William, Karl to Charles) to avoid persecution in their Michigan town and schools.

Charlotte had been a fervent supporter of artistic education for her children, spending a portion of their meager income on music lessons for Charles and his siblings.

Charles was encouraged to pursue his artistic interests by his sister, Marie, who paid for her 11-year-old brother to attend weekend classes at the Art Institute of Chicago (AIC).

His 1939 work War Mother caught the attention of Marion Koogler McNay and professors at the newly formed Art Department at the University of Texas at Austin.

[1] Another of his pupils was Bob "Daddy-O" Wade, who studied at the University of Texas from 1961 to 1965, and later became famous for his larger-than-life sized works inspired by Texan cowboy culture.