CONAN MATHEWS

Mathews, Conan E. (1905-1972), of Providence and Provo, was dean of the College of Fine Arts at Brigham Young University during the 1950s and '60s. Also a professor of art, he was a respected semi-abstract landscape painter of Utah scenes (in transparent watercolors and oils), and he exhibited frequently in local shows. Mathews studied in San Francisco, California, under Birger Sandzen (q.v.) and has work reproduced in George Dibble's (q.v.) well-known watercolor textbook. A great deal of the expansion of BYU's art program occurred under his leadership. He was an articulate voice for contemporary art as well as a fine art history professor. (b. September 16)

Olpin, Robert S., William C. Seifrit, and Vern G. Swanson. ARTISTS OF UTAH. Salt Lake City: Gibbs Smith Publisher, 1999: 172.