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William Griffith
(1866-1940)
William Griffith was born in Lawrence, Kansas on August 19, 1866. He studied art at Washington University in St. Louis and in 1890 furthered his art studies in Paris at Academie Julian under Constant and Lefebvre. Returning to his native state, he taught art for over twenty years at Kansas University. In 1918 he was on sabbatical leave when he visited his old friend and former classmate Benjamin C. Brown in Laguna Beach. Two years later he moved to Laguna Beach where he became an influential member of the art colony and served as president of the local art association. Before moving to California, Griffith mainly painted portraits, but he soon turned his attention to the surrounding landscape. Working in oil and pastel, Griffith also painted many beach scenes and marines. He died in Laguna Beach on May 25, 1940.
Awards: Gold Medal St. Louis, 1889; First prize, Orange County Fair, 1928; First prize, California Artists Show, Santa Cruz, 1929; Second prize, California Art Club, 1934; First prize, Ebell Club(LA), 1936; Honorary mention, Oakland Art Gallery, 1936.
Exhibited: Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 1928; California State Fair, 1930; Golden Gate International Exposition of 1939; Laguna Beach Art Association Annuals.
Works Held: Laguna Museum of Art; Lawrence (Kansas) Junior High School; Lyon County Historical Society, Emporia, Kansas; Washburn College, Topeka, Kansas; Neally Library, Santa Ana College; Spencer Museum of Art, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas; State Historical Society, Topeka, Kansas; State Teachers College, Emporia, Kansas; Thayer Museum, Lawrence, Kansas; California High Schools of Burbank, Corona, Laguna Beach, Long Beach, and Santa Ana; YMCA, Santa Ana; University Club, San Diego.
Source:
Hughes, Edan M. Artists In California 1786-1940. 3rd ed. Vol. 1. Sacramento: Crocker, Art Museum, 2002. N. pag. 2 vols. Print.
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