Worth D. Griffin

Worth D. Griffin

In 1936-37, Griffin was granted an extension of time by WSC to paint prominent Indians in the Northwest, completing nearly 50 of these portraits.

In 1936-37, Griffin was granted an extension of time (plus salary and expenses) by WSC to paint prominent Indians in the Northwest and he completed nearly 50 of these portraits. Part of his agreement with WSC was that these pictures became the property of the college. They are now stored in the Fine Arts vault at WSU. Some of his art can also be found at the Northwest Museum in Spokane, WA. It was strange that he decided to stay at WSC since “his early exposure to the modern art movement and due to his portrait work already being favorably recognized on the Pacific Coast" (Quote from Indian Summers by JJ Creighton, WSU Press 2000). Worth Griffin cofounded the Nespelem Art Colony in 1937 with artist Clyfford Still. Both men were working at Wash. State College, Pullman Wa. on the staff of the School of Music and Fine Arts at the time. The colony taught interested students during the summers of 1937 through 1941. Most of the works created were portraits and landscapes of the Indians of the Colville Indian Reservation and some of Grand Coulee City or scenes about the Grand Coulee Dam. Both Worth Griffin and Clyfford Still were instructors at the colony.

Items in Collection: 
2WSUMOFA0002.jpg
Community
Washington State University, Manuscripts Archives and Special Collections, Umatilla
Category
Lifeways
Mitchell_Lloyd.jpg
Community
Washington State University, Manuscripts Archives and Special Collections, Umatilla
Category
Lifeways
Allen_Patewa.jpg
Community
Washington State University, Manuscripts Archives and Special Collections, Umatilla
Category
Lifeways
Griffin 37-1-38.jpg
Community
Washington State University, Manuscripts Archives and Special Collections, Umatilla
Category
Lifeways
Willie_Wocetse.jpg
Community
Washington State University, Manuscripts Archives and Special Collections, Umatilla
Category
Lifeways
Imotanic_Matches.jpg
Community
Washington State University, Manuscripts Archives and Special Collections, Umatilla
Category
Lifeways
2WSUMOFA0001.jpg
Community
Washington State University, Manuscripts Archives and Special Collections, Umatilla
Category
Artistry and Artifacts, Lifeways