William Alexander Gaw (1891–1973) was an American painter, designer, educator, college director, and academic administrator.[1] He was the director of California School of Fine Arts (later known as San Francisco Art Institute), and professor emeritus from Mills College (now Mills College at Northeastern University). Gaw lived in Berkeley, California.[2]
William Alexander Gaw | |
|---|---|
| Director of California School of Fine Arts | |
| In office 1941–1945 | |
| Preceded by | Lee Fritz Randolph |
| Succeeded by | Douglas MacAgy |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 26, 1891 San Francisco, California, United States |
| Died | January 30, 1973 (aged 81) Berkeley, California, United States |
| Spouse | Helen Baer |
| Education | Mark Hopkins Institute of Art |
| Occupation | Visual artist, educator, academic adminstrator |
Early life and education
editWilliam Alexander Gaw was born on November 26, 1891, in San Francisco, California.[3] His father was Irish-born watercolorist, Hugh Gaw (1865–1928).[3]
He studied art under landscape painter, James Martin Griffin (1850–1931).[3] Gaw attended Mark Hopkins Institute of Art (later known as San Francisco Art Institute).[2]
Career
editGaw was known for his landscapes, still life paintings, and drawing.[3] He taught at the California School of Fine Arts from 1938 to 1955;[2] and from 1941 until 1945, Gaw was the director of that school. He was able to maintain enrollment at the school during World War II.
Gaw started teaching at Mills College (now Mills College at Northeastern University) in 1940, where he served as the chair of the art department from 1942 until 1957.[3] He was professor emeritus from Mills College.[4]
He was a member of the Bohemian Club, and the Free and Accepted Masons.[5] Gaw's work is in museum collections, including at the Monterey Museum of Art,[6] San Francisco Museum of Modern Art,[7] and Crocker Art Museum.
References
edit- ^ "William Gaw, After 40 Years, Is "Ready"". Arts Digest. Art Digest Incorporated. 1937. p. 24 – via Google Books.
- ^ a b c d "Services for William Gaw". Oakland Tribune. 1973-02-06. Retrieved 2024-11-14 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d e Landauer, Susan; Gerdts, William H.; Trenton, Patricia (2003-11-10). The Not-So-Still Life: A Century of California Painting and Sculpture. University of California Press. p. 190. ISBN 978-0-520-23938-8.
- ^ a b "Obituary for William A Gaw". The Waco Times-Herald. 1973-02-05. Retrieved 2024-11-14 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Gaw, William A. Obituary". The Berkeley Gazette. 1973-02-05. Retrieved 2024-11-14 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "William A. Gaw". Online Collections, Monterey Museum of Art. Retrieved 2024-11-14.
- ^ "Gaw, William A." San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. Retrieved 2024-11-14.
External links
edit- Oral history interview with William A. Gaw, 1964 Mar. 6, from Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution