Greenfield in Hancock County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

John William “Will” Vawter

Photographed By J. J. Prats, November 7, 2022

1. John William “Will” Vawter Marker, Side One

Inscription. Will Vawter captured the character of rural Hoosiers and the beauty of the Indiana landscape in his art. Born in 1871, he lived in Greenfield by 1880, and worked as an illustrator for local newspapers by 1891. Vawter illustrated works by many Indiana writers, including Greenfield-based authors like his sister Clara Vawter and "Hoosier Poet” James Whitcomb Riley.

Vawter moved to Brown County in 1909, joining the vibrant art community, and created bold oil paintings of the regional landscape. He exhibited regularly at H. Lieber Co. in Indianapolis and at the Hoosier Salon in Chicago. In 1926, he helped organize the Brown County Art Gallery Association, dedicated to local art. Vawter died in 1941 and is buried in Greenfield.

Erected 2020 by Indiana Historic Bureau, David A. Spencer, and NineStar Connect.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Arts, Letters, Music. A significant historical date for this entry is April 13, 1871.

Location. 39° 47.116′ N, 85° 46.229′ W. Marker is in Greenfield, Indiana, in Hancock County. Marker is on West Main Street (U.S. 40) west of State Street (Indiana Route 9), on the right when traveling west. It is at the parking lot entrance. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 24 W Main St, Greenfield IN 46140, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other

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markers are within walking distance of this marker. A Barefoot Boy (here, next to this marker); Robert Frost (R.F.) Dagget (1875-1955) (a few steps from this marker); John Henry Felt (a few steps from this marker); George William Gordon (1872-1935) (within shouting distance of this marker); Louis H. Gibson (within shouting distance of this marker); Information on the Move (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); James Whitcomb Riley (about 500 feet away); Veterans Memorial (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Greenfield.

Also see . . . Wikipedia entry for Will Vawter. Excerpt:

Vawter illustrated eleven volumes of James Whitcomb Riley poems. His illustrations often used local residents as models. His work was widely celebrated and he exhibited at the Hoosier Salon and the Brown County Art Gallery Association where he won prizes in 1925, 1926, 1928, 1930, 1932 and 1935.[2] He was married to Mary Vawter, an accomplished poet and landscape artist. The couple divorced in 1923. Vawter moved to Nashville, Indiana, to join the Brown County Art Colony permanently in 1908.

(Submitted on November 12, 2022.)

John William “Will” Vawter Marker, Side Two image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, November 7, 2022

2. John William “Will” Vawter Marker, Side Two

John William “Will” Vawter Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, November 7, 2022

3. John William “Will” Vawter Marker

An Example of Will Vawter’s Artwork image. Click for full size.

(pd) sourced from Biblio, 1922

4. An Example of Will Vawter’s Artwork

1922 book of poetry Songs of Summer by James Whitcomb Riley. With Hoosier Pictures by Will Vawter.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 12, 2022. It was originally submitted on November 12, 2022, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 127 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 12, 2022, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.