VANCE KIRKLAND (American, 1904-1981)
Vance Kirkland had two lives: one he devoted to his art; with his other life he believed in giving back to the community with his civic activities, to future generations with education, and also to his friends and wife. Biographical Sketch
CHRONOLOGY
1904 Born November 3, Convoy, Ohio, a small country town west of Cleveland, near the Indiana border. 1923-28 Attended Cleveland School of Art, diploma in painting and a B.E.A. 1926-28 Attended Western Reserve University and Cleveland School of Education. 1929-32 Founding Director of the School of Art at the University of Denver, July 3, 1927, with a grant from the Carnegie Foundation to do so. The school was originally called the Chappell School of Art because it was located in Chappell House at 13th and Logan St. on the top floor. The first and second floors served as quarters for the Denver Art Museum at that time. Developed B.A. and B.F.A. programs in art, a rare curriculum in universities at that time. Left in June of 1932, when the University decided not to give art courses full academic recognition toward a full degree, which had been the original agreement. He intended to paint full time, but his students prevailed upon him to also continue to teach. 1932-46 Established the Kirkland School of Art at 1311 Pearl Street, Denver, where classes were accredited by the University of Colorado 1933- 46. It was so successful that when he returned to the University of Denver in 1946 he was able to bring 250 students with him. 1941 Married Anne Fox Oliphant Olson July 26. She was a librarian. They enjoyed traveling together extensively, and participated greatly in the social and intellectual part of the Denver community until her death February 3, 1970. 1946-69 Returned as Director of the School of Art at the University of Denver. He was also Chairman of the Division of Arts and Humanities for the College of Arts and Sciences (University of Denver) (1946-55), and Professor of Painting, 1946-69. Served on commitees of Honorary Degrees, Curriculum, and Budget. When Kirkland left in 1969 there were 400 art majors in the School of Art. 1942-65 Served at the Denver Art Museum: Curator of American and European Art (various times and 1953-5), Honorary Curator of Contemporary Art 1958-65; also member of the Board of Trustees (elected January, 1944), Chairman of the Accessions Committee, 1943-53 (appointed member 1942), member of the Exhibition Committee (starting April, 1944), Honorary Curator of Painting and Sculpture 1955-58,. 1947-59 Member, Board of Trustees, Gilpin County Arts Association, Central City, Colorado. 1954-59 Member, Board of Trustees, Allied Arts Association, Denver, Colorado. 1954 Chairman, Museum Committee, Central City Opera Association. 1957 Received the "University Lecturer" Award, the highest award of the University of Denver. 1969 Appointed Professor of Art Emeritus, University of Denver. 1969-81 Continued to paint in the building he had used since 1932, for the Kirkland School of Art, 1311 Pearl Street, Denver. The building was originally built as the "Student’s School of Art" by artist (William) Henry Read in 1911. It is believed to be the oldest commercial art building, and certainly the longest in time devoted to art, in Colorado. Since 1946, it has been called Vance Kirkland Studio. Vance and his wife Anne resided 5 blocks away at 817 Pearl Street. 1970 Vance's wife, Anne, died February 3. 1971 Received the State of Colorado Arts and Humanities Award. 1979 Donated his only signed, numbered serigraph edition to benefit the Denver Symphony Orchestra. 1981 Died May 24th, Denver, Colorado, at the age of 76.