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ORSON D. CAMPBELL

1876 - 1933

BiographyCampbell, Orson D. (Dewsnup) "O. D." (1876-1933), of Provo, was destined to pursue a career wholly within the context of the traditional professional artist/teacher's life. Born in the nation's centennial year in Fillmore, Utah, he took art training in the East before settling in Utah and Idaho to teach at Provo High School and briefly at Brigham Young University. In 1908, Campbell spent a year in New York, painting under F. A. Bridgman, J. Walter Taylor, Frank Vincent Du Mond, and Kenyon Cox and the Art Students League before returning to Provo to teach again at BYU. He developed a sometimes subtle tonalist approach to landscape and cityscape early, and probabaly did his best work during his years at BYU. Leaving there in 1915 and in St. George at Dixie College for another two years. Campbell returned to Provo in 1920 as art supervisor for the Provo school system, and lived there until his death. (b. August 17; d. December 12)

Olpin, Robert S., William C. Seifrit, and Vern G. Swanson. ARTISTS OF UTAH. Salt Lake City: Gibbs Smith Publisher, 1999: 49.

Campbell, Orson Dewsnup
Education:
Entered B.Y.U. in September 1903 as Instructor in Woodwork and mechanical drafting arts. Received normal school diploma in 1906. Attended the Art Students league of New York in 1908 and 1909 under such teachers as William Chase, Frank Vincent Dumand, Kenyon Cox, Geo. B. Bridgman, Augustus V. Tack, etc., and studied portrait and landscape but liked landscape best, especially the study of mountains. Continued teaching at B.Y.U. until 1915. Went to Ricks Academy at Rexburg, Idaho, September 1915 to establish an art department in that school. Continued until 1918 in September when he entered the Dixie Normal College to establish an art department. Continued his work in St. George until 1920. Spent summer of 1920 in California School of Fine Arts at San Francisco. Was asked to take charge of the art in Provo City High School also supervise the art in the Provo City Grade Schools, Sept. 1920. Spent summer of 1922 at the Art Institute of Chicago. Taught art class at Alpine Summer School in 1924. Was at Alpine Summer School in (25 or 27) studying with Lee Randolph of California. Traveled through southern Utah in 1926 at Bryce, Zions, Cedar Breaks and Grand Canyon. Did some sketching in Brighton Canyon in 1928 with Prof. B. F. Larsen. The summer of 1929 was spent at Alpine Summer School with Lee Green Richards. Pictures have been exhibited in New York, California, Chicago, in Art Institutes local and state. His painting called "Top of the World" was purchased by the State of Utah for the Alice Art Collection. At the Art Institute of Utah, 1912, his painting "Edge of the Woods" won the 250.00 prize. The painting was retained by the artist. His best "Study of Fruit" received first prize at Utah State Fair, October 6, 1914. First Premium at Utah County Fair 1925. First Prize at Utah County Fair 1928. A large aspen painting called "Heaven-Ward" received first place at Utah State Fair 1931. He was State Chairman of Art committee in 1928 or 1929. There are pictures hanging in state and county building, schools, homes, and churches in Utah and many other states. Two paintings are in Springville Collection. Sketching trips with Dr. O. E. Hansen, in Eastern Utah, at the head of Provo River and surrounding country with Virgee Hafen & Leo Hafen. Through Southern Utah with Gene Roberts, Harold Clark, Samuel Jepperson, B. F. Larson; with Cottam and Henri Moser. Two pictures owned by Dr. Cowles in Chicago.
(From Curatorial Binder)

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