Will Vawter

• Born — 13 April 1871 • Birthplace — Boone County, West Virginia, U.S. • Died — 11 February 1941 • Place of death — Nashville, Indiana, U.S. • Burial Place — Greenfield, Indiana, U.S. • Occupation — Painter • Known for — Illustrating James Whitcomb Riley poems

Named John William Vawter at birth, Vawter was known as Will Vawter both personally and professionally. Vawter was born in Boone County, West Virginia on April 13, 1871. He moved with his family to Greenfield, Indiana, at age six. While living in Greenfield, Vawter developed a close working relationship with poet James Whitcomb Riley, another resident of Greenfield.

• Illustration — Will Vawter at work in his studio. Vawter began as an illustrator for a local paper in 1980. 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. 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. He had two residences in the area, one a studio in town, the other a 57 acre estate about a half mile outside of Nashville. Vawter was a pioneer member of the Brown County Art Gallery Association. He had exhibits at H. Lieber Co. in Indianapolis.

• Illustration — An excellent example of Will Vawter's impressionistic style. This work is titled A Sunny Day In Springville. It depicts the artist's studio in Brown County, Indiana. • A Defective Santa Claus (1904) • Riley Songs O'Cheer (1905) • Riley Songs of Summer (1908) • Songs of Home (1910) • Fortunes in Friendship (1926)

• Illustration — Indiana Artist Will Vawter's grave site in Greenfield, Indiana Vawter developed pneumonia and died. His death was quite a shock to the residents of Greenfield & Nashville, Indiana. He died in Nashville, Indiana, on February 11, 1941. He is buried in Greenfield, Indiana's Park Cemetery.

The authorities additionally record the headings John William Vawter, J. Vawter and William Vawter.

Will Vawter is recorded as illustrator and painter.