H. Faulkner Smith Academy of Art (1931 - 1933)
H. Faulker Smith School of Applied & Fine Art (1933 - 1950?)
H. Faulkner Smith Academy of Art (1950? - 1954?)
The H. Faulkner Smith Academy of Art was founded by H.
Faulkner Smith in Vancouver in 1931. It was originally located at 3842
Oak Street, but by 1941-42 was located downtown in the Marine Building
on Burrard Street. By the 1933-34 school year the school's name was changed
to the H. Faulkner Smith School of Applied and Fine Art. It remained that way
until at least 1946-47. By 1950-51 the name had been changed back to the
original Academy of Art.
Scans of the 1933-34 Prospectus, courtesy Randall Smith, the artist's grandson.
The school had group exhibitions at the Vancouver
Art Gallery in 1934, 1935, 1936, and 1937.
Prospectus not dated; address 3842 Oak Street
Irvine Adams,
Jack Bundy,
Denver Gillen, and
Brandwyn Upham were students at the school
at different times.
An undated Prospectus c1936 for the Academy had a list of
"Students Successfully Placed as Artists."
Scans of the 1941-42 Prospectus, courtesy Randall Smith, the
artist's grandson.
A 1942 article in The Province noted that the 12th Annual
Exhibition of student work was open for viewing. Students named in
the article are Audrey Finlayson, William Massey, and Harold
Broadhead. The 1946-47 Prospectus noted that Harold Broadhead,
C.A.C., had been killed in action.
Scans of the 1946-47 Prospectus, courtesy Randall Smith, the artist's grandson.
The 1947 marketing display noted that "20 students successfully placed as commercial
artists since June 1946."
1947 marketing display
The school probably closed after the 1954 school year. The 1954 Vancouver city directory
lists Faulkner as Proprietor of Academy of Art, married to Dorothy, residence at
1227 Laurier. In 1955 he is listed at Proprietor of H.F. Smith Studios. The latest
Prospectus seen is the 1950-51 copy, although the 1946-47 copy was marked up by
Smith for re-issue in 1952-53 (see scans). In any case the school was open
for more than twenty years, through the Depression and World War Two, quite
a remarkable record for a private art school.
Exhibitions
References
Clippings
"In the Domain of Art" by Reta W. Myers
Vancouver Province, June 13 1936
"The 12th Annual exhibition by students of the H. Faulkner
Smith School of Fine and Applied Art, Marine Bulding, will remain open to
the public until the end of July. The exhibition manifests the school's ability
to train pupils in a practical
way for commercial art. Examples of poster work are especially successful."
From "B.C. Artists' Display To Calgary
For Exhibition" by Palette
Vancouver Province, May-June 1942
"Display By Students" by Palette
Vancouver Province, July 2 1942
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