Hugh Walter, Pompano. Charcoal on paper, 19.5 by 13.5 inches. Signed lower right Hugh Walter, Hollywood, Fla. 1934.
In 1919, after study at the Art Students League in New York and the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, Hugh Walter began painting professionally. In 1922 Walters and two artists friends sick of long cold winters, pooled their savings, bought an old car, and headed for Florida. Walters loved the area and, in 1935, began coming regularly to Pompano Beach, eventually building a home and studio, where he worked and taught art. An artist with a national reputation, Walter painted Amelia Earhart’s portrait just before her fatal flight. Katherine Hepburn sat for him, as well as a long list of prominent Floridians. In 1957 he was commissioned to paint portraits of living Florida House of Representative Speakers, B. Elliott of Vero Beach, Evans Crary of Stuart and Ted David of Hollywood. At the beginning of the 1959 session the portraits were hung in the Florida House chambers. Walter’s portraits could be seen in the lobbies and reception hall of the Sea Ranch Hotel, Lauderdale-By-The -Sea for over 13 years. Education: Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts; Art Students League; with George Bridgeman and Robert Henri; In Paris, France. Membership: Broward Art Guild; American Artists Professional League, Fort Lauderdale chapter. Exhibits: Cazdelbo Gallery, New York City and Atlantic City, 1919; American Artists Professional League at Broward War Memorial auditorium, January 1952; Palette Show, Grand Central Art Gallery, New York City, for national tour, February 1957; Schramm Galleries, Fort Lauderdale, March-April 1960. Directory: Listed in the Pompano Beach City Directory, 1955, 1956, 1960, as a portrait artist with a studio at 245 N.E. 23rd Avenue.
