VIRGIL OTTO HAFEN

Virgil Otto Hafen was another exemplary pioneer youth who left Utah. This painter studied with his father, John Hafen, then later at Brigham Young University with E. H. Eastmond before going on to additional training at the Jerron Art Institute in Brown Country Art Colony; went on a Mormon church mission in Europe; studied at the academies in Paris; and worked as an instructor in the school of Architecture and Allied Arts at Avard Fairbanks's alma mater, the University of Oregon. He was a professor and expert in ceramics.

He was credited with holding the Springville sportsmen together as an organization without loss of a member, despite hard times. V. O. Hafen, president of Springville Fish and Game Protective Association, is one of Utah's leading conservationists.

Information found in the "Miscellaneous H" artist binder found in The Print Study Room. Sources include: "Utah Painting and Sculpture 1997," "Deseret News 1937," and the "Salt Lake Tribune 1937."

Entered by: Michael Clayton, Print Study Room Staff, 1/31/06

Hafen, Virgil Otto (1887-1949). This Springville, Utah, painter studied first with his father, John Hafen (q.v.), and then later at Brigham Young University with E. H. Eastmond (q.v.) before going on for additional work at the Herron Art Institute in Indianapolis; painting with his father in the Brown County Art Colony in Indiana; studying abroad at the Colorossi and Grande Chaumiere Academics in Paris (after an LDS mission in Europe); and working as an instructor in the School of Architecture and Allied Arts at the University of Oregon. Virgil Hafen wasn't as talented as his father was as a realist/tonalist landscape painter, but there are some excellent works in oil on canvas by him, mostly in Springville. (b. October 14, d. October 5)

Olpin, Robert S., William C. Seifrit, and Vern G. Swanson. ARTISTS OF UTAH. Salt Lake City: Gibbs Smith Publisher, 1999: 121.