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{{short description|American painter}}{{Infobox person
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[[File:Will Vawter Portrait - Hohenberger.jpg|thumb|Portrait of Indiana Artist Will Vawter taken by Brown County photographer Frank M. Hohenberger. ]]
| birth_date = April 13, 1871
⚫
'''John William Vawter''' (13 Apr 1871–11 Feb 1941), from [[Greenfield, Indiana]], was an [[Americana|American]] [[landscape artist]] and [[illustrator]] known for his broad strokes and loose [[Impressionist]] style.<ref>[http://www.askart.com/AskART/V/will_vawter/will_vawter.aspx Ask Art on line entry] accessed on December 18, 2007.</ref>
| image= Will Vawter Portrait - Hohenberger.jpg
⚫
| caption= Portrait of Indiana Artist Will Vawter taken by Brown County photographer Frank M. Hohenberger.
| birth_place = [[Boone County, West Virginia]], US
| death_date = February 11, 1941
| death_place = [[Nashville, Indiana]], US
| burial_place = [[Greenfield, Indiana]], US
| occupation = Painter
| known_for = Illustrating [[James Whitcomb Riley]] poems
}}

⚫
'''John William Vawter''' (13 Apr 1871–11 Feb 1941), from [[Greenfield, Indiana]], was an American [[landscape artist]] and [[illustrator]] known for his broad strokes and loose [[Impressionist]] style.<ref>[http://www.askart.com/AskART/V/will_vawter/will_vawter.aspx Ask Art on line entry] accessed on December 18, 2007.</ref>


==Early life and education==
==Early life and education==
Named John William Vawter at birth, Vawter was known as Will Vawter both personally and professionally. Vawter was born in [[Boone County, West Virginia]] on April 13, 1871. He moved with his family to Greenfield, Indiana, at age six. While living in Greenfield, Vawter developed a close working relationship with [[poet]] [[James Whitcomb Riley]], another resident of Greenfield.
Named John William Vawter at birth, Vawter was known as Will Vawter both personally and professionally. Vawter was born in [[Boone County, West Virginia]] on April 13, 1871. He moved with his family to Greenfield, Indiana, at age six. While living in Greenfield, Vawter developed a close working relationship with [[poet]] [[James Whitcomb Riley]], another resident of Greenfield.


==Artistic career==
==Artistic career==
[[File:Studio Painting.jpg|thumb|Will Vawter at work in his studio.]]
[[File:Studio Painting.jpg|thumb|Will Vawter at work in his studio.]]
Vawter illustrated eleven volumes of James Whitcomb Riley poems. His illustrations often used local residents as models. His work was widely celebrated and he exhibited at the Hoosier Salon and the Brown County Art Gallery Association where he won prizes in 1925, 1926, 1928, 1930, 1932 and 1935.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.newspapers.com/clip/15581703/will_vawter_famous_painter_and_friend/|title=Will Vawter, Famous Painter and Friend of Riley, Will Be Buried Here Thursday|website=Newspapers.com|language=en|access-date=2019-05-31}}</ref> He was married to [[Mary Vawter]], an accomplished poet and landscape artist. The couple divorced in 1923. Vawter moved to [[Nashville, Indiana]], to join the [[Brown County Art Colony]] permanently in 1908. He had two residences in the area, one a studio in town, the other a {{convert|57|acre|hectare}} estate about a half mile outside of Nashville. Vawter was a pioneer member of the Brown County Art Gallery Association.
Vawter began as an illustrator for a local paper in 1980.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Simins |first=Jill Weiss |date=2020-04-09 |title=Better with Age: The Late-Blooming of Artist Will Vawter |url=https://blog.history.in.gov/better-with-age-the-late-blooming-of-artist-will-vawter/ |access-date=2024-06-13 |website=The Indiana History Blog |language=en-US}}</ref> Vawter illustrated eleven volumes of James Whitcomb Riley poems. His illustrations often used local residents as models. His work was widely celebrated and he exhibited at the Hoosier Salon and the Brown County Art Gallery Association where he won prizes in 1925, 1926, 1928, 1930, 1932 and 1935.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.newspapers.com/clip/15581703/will_vawter_famous_painter_and_friend/|title=Will Vawter, Famous Painter and Friend of Riley, Will Be Buried Here Thursday|newspaper=The Daily Reporter|date=12 February 1941 |page=1 |language=en|access-date=2019-05-31}}</ref> He was married to [[Mary Vawter]], an accomplished poet and landscape artist. The couple divorced in 1923. Vawter moved to [[Nashville, Indiana]], to join the [[Brown County Art Colony]] permanently in 1908. He had two residences in the area, one a studio in town, the other a {{convert|57|acre|hectare}} estate about a half mile outside of Nashville. Vawter was a pioneer member of the Brown County Art Gallery Association.<ref name=":0" />

He had exhibits at H. Lieber Co. in Indianapolis.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=IHB |date=2020-12-16 |title=John William (Will) Vawter |url=https://www.in.gov/history/state-historical-markers/find-a-marker/find-historical-markers-by-county/indiana-historical-markers-by-county/john-william-will-vawter/ |access-date=2024-06-13 |website=IHB |language=en}}</ref>


==Selected works==
==Selected works==
[[File:Vawter Studio 2.jpg|thumb|An excellent example of Will Vawter's impressionistic style.&nbsp; This work is titled A Sunny Day In Springville.&nbsp; It depicts the artist’s studio in Brown County, Indiana.]]
[[File:Vawter Studio 2.jpg|thumb|An excellent example of Will Vawter's impressionistic style.&nbsp; This work is titled A Sunny Day In Springville.&nbsp; It depicts the artist's studio in Brown County, Indiana.]]
* ''A Defective Santa Claus'' (1904)
* ''A Defective Santa Claus'' (1904)
* ''Riley Songs O'Cheer'' (1905)
* ''Riley Songs O'Cheer'' (1905)
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== Later life and death ==
== Later life and death ==
[[File:Will Vawter Gravesite.jpg|thumb|Indiana Artist Will Vawter's grave site in Greenfield, Indiana]]
[[File:Will Vawter Gravesite.jpg|thumb|Indiana Artist Will Vawter's grave site in Greenfield, Indiana]]
Vawter developed pneumonia and he passed rather quickly.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.newspapers.com/clip/15581570/will_vawter_hoosier_artist_is_dead_of/|title=Will Vawter, Hoosier Artist, Is Dead of Pneumonia Here, Part 1|website=Newspapers.com|language=en|access-date=2019-05-31}}</ref> His death was quite a shock to the residents of Greenfield & Nashville, Indiana. He passed away in Nashville, Indiana, on February 11, 1941. He is buried in Greenfield, Indiana's Park Cemetery.
Vawter developed pneumonia and died.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=http://www.newspapers.com/clip/15581570/will_vawter_hoosier_artist_is_dead_of/|title=Will Vawter, Hoosier Artist, Is Dead of Pneumonia Here, Part 1|work=The Indianapolis News |date=11 February 1941 |page=1 |language=en|access-date=2019-05-31}}</ref> His death was quite a shock to the residents of Greenfield & Nashville, Indiana. He died in Nashville, Indiana, on February 11, 1941. He is buried in Greenfield, Indiana's Park Cemetery.

== Legacy ==
== Legacy ==
Each year in the City of Greenfield the Hancock County Arts and Cultural Council holds the Will Vawter Art Exhibition. This juried art show attracts many arts from around Indiana each year. The event is held in early April to coincide with Vawter's birth.
Each year in the City of Greenfield the Hancock County Arts and Cultural Council holds the Will Vawter Art Exhibition. This juried art show attracts many arts from around Indiana each year. The event was held in early to coincide with Vawter's birth, but since 2021, the exhibit has grown and has been moved to June.

In 2020, the Indiana Historical Bureau erected a marker to honor Vawter.<ref name=":1" />




==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
==External links==
{{commons category|Will Vawter}}
{{Wikisource|A Defective Santa Claus}}
{{Wikisource|A Defective Santa Claus}}
* {{Gutenberg author | id=Vawter,+Will+(1871-1941) }}
* {{Gutenberg author | id=8947}}
* {{Internet Archive author |search=("John William Vawter" OR "Vawter, John" OR "Will Vawter" OR "Vawter, Will")}}
* {{Internet Archive author |search=("John William Vawter" OR "Vawter, John" OR "Will Vawter" OR "Vawter, Will")}}


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[[Category:American male painters]]
[[Category:American male painters]]
[[Category:19th-century American painters]]
[[Category:19th-century American painters]]
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[[Category:19th-century male artists]]
[[Category:20th-century American painters]]
[[Category:20th-century American painters]]
[[Category:Deaths from pneumonia in Indiana]]

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[[Category:19th-century American male artists]]

[[Category:20th-century American male artists]]
{{US-illustrator-stub}}

Latest revision as of 19:50, 6 July 2024

Will Vawter
Portrait of Indiana Artist Will Vawter taken by Brown County photographer Frank M. Hohenberger.
BornApril 13, 1871
Boone County, West Virginia, US
DiedFebruary 11, 1941
Nashville, Indiana, US
Burial placeGreenfield, Indiana, US
OccupationPainter
Known forIllustrating James Whitcomb Riley poems

John William Vawter (13 Apr 1871–11 Feb 1941), from Greenfield, Indiana, was an American landscape artist and illustrator known for his broad strokes and loose Impressionist style.[1]

Early life and education

[edit]

Named John William Vawter at birth, Vawter was known as Will Vawter both personally and professionally. Vawter was born in Boone County, West Virginia on April 13, 1871. He moved with his family to Greenfield, Indiana, at age six. While living in Greenfield, Vawter developed a close working relationship with poet James Whitcomb Riley, another resident of Greenfield.

Artistic career

[edit]
Will Vawter at work in his studio.

Vawter began as an illustrator for a local paper in 1980.[2] Vawter illustrated eleven volumes of James Whitcomb Riley poems. His illustrations often used local residents as models. His work was widely celebrated and he exhibited at the Hoosier Salon and the Brown County Art Gallery Association where he won prizes in 1925, 1926, 1928, 1930, 1932 and 1935.[3] He was married to Mary Vawter, an accomplished poet and landscape artist. The couple divorced in 1923. Vawter moved to Nashville, Indiana, to join the Brown County Art Colony permanently in 1908. He had two residences in the area, one a studio in town, the other a 57 acres (23 hectares) estate about a half mile outside of Nashville. Vawter was a pioneer member of the Brown County Art Gallery Association.[4]

He had exhibits at H. Lieber Co. in Indianapolis.[5]

Selected works

[edit]
An excellent example of Will Vawter's impressionistic style.  This work is titled A Sunny Day In Springville.  It depicts the artist's studio in Brown County, Indiana.
  • A Defective Santa Claus (1904)
  • Riley Songs O'Cheer (1905)
  • Riley Songs of Summer (1908)
  • Songs of Home (1910)
  • Fortunes in Friendship (1926)

Later life and death

[edit]
Indiana Artist Will Vawter's grave site in Greenfield, Indiana

Vawter developed pneumonia and died.[4] His death was quite a shock to the residents of Greenfield & Nashville, Indiana. He died in Nashville, Indiana, on February 11, 1941. He is buried in Greenfield, Indiana's Park Cemetery.

Legacy

[edit]

Each year in the City of Greenfield the Hancock County Arts and Cultural Council holds the Will Vawter Art Exhibition. This juried art show attracts many arts from around Indiana each year. The event was held in early to coincide with Vawter's birth, but since 2021, the exhibit has grown and has been moved to June.

In 2020, the Indiana Historical Bureau erected a marker to honor Vawter.[5]


References

[edit]
  1. ^ Ask Art on line entry accessed on December 18, 2007.
  2. ^ Simins, Jill Weiss (2020-04-09). "Better with Age: The Late-Blooming of Artist Will Vawter". The Indiana History Blog. Retrieved 2024-06-13.
  3. ^ "Will Vawter, Famous Painter and Friend of Riley, Will Be Buried Here Thursday". The Daily Reporter. 12 February 1941. p. 1. Retrieved 2019-05-31.
  4. ^ a b "Will Vawter, Hoosier Artist, Is Dead of Pneumonia Here, Part 1". The Indianapolis News. 11 February 1941. p. 1. Retrieved 2019-05-31.
  5. ^ a b IHB (2020-12-16). "John William (Will) Vawter". IHB. Retrieved 2024-06-13.
[edit]
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