Early Life and Artistic Training

William H. Calfee entered the world on February 7, 1909, in Washington, D.C. His early years in the capital provided a foundation for a life spent deeply immersed in the visual arts. Before finding his footing as a painter and muralist, he explored the structural side of design through a brief period of studying architecture at Catholic University. This interest in form and space would later inform his approach to large-scale works, though his path eventually moved toward the fine arts.

His formal training took him far beyond the borders of the United States. He spent a year studying at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris, an experience that likely shaped his understanding of classical technique and composition. Upon returning to America, he continued to refine his skills at the Corcoran School of Art and Catholic University. These studies provided the technical grounding necessary for the diverse range of media he would eventually master.

Calfee’s education was not limited to the canvas. He sought out specialized instruction in three dimensions, traveling to the Cranbrook Academy in Michigan. There, he learned the nuances of sculptural techniques under the guidance of Carl Milles. This period of study allowed him to bridge the gap between the flat surface of a painting and the physical presence of sculpture, a duality that would define much of his creative output in the decades to follow.

Teaching and Academic Career

Calfee’s influence extended far beyond the canvas and into the classrooms of Washington, D.C. During the 1940s, he shared his knowledge at the Phillips Memorial Gallery art school. It was there that he began to shape the next generation of artists, working closely with colleagues who shared his dedication to the craft. His time at the gallery was a period of significant transition, as he moved from his own creative pursuits toward a more structured role in art education.

His commitment to academic development became even more apparent through his work with American University. Calfee was instrumental in helping the institution build and develop its fine arts program. Following the death of a colleague in 1946, he stepped into the role of chair of the art department. He held this leadership position until 1954, guiding the department through years of growth and change. Even after a brief period away, he returned to the university, remaining a member of the faculty until 1977.

His presence in the academic community was deeply intertwined with the local art scene. He was a founding member of the Jefferson Place Gallery, an organization established by his colleagues to provide a space for contemporary art and modern expression in Washington. This involvement ensured that his influence was felt not only in the lecture halls but also in the very spaces where new artistic ideas were being tested and shared.

Key Works and Notable Murals

Calfee found much of his purpose in the public spaces of the mid-century, working on murals that brought local life into the halls of government buildings. In Harrisonburg, Virginia, he produced a mural study for the post office titled Country Fair and Trading, Court House Square. This work, along with his piece titled Conferee, reflects a deep interest in the rhythms of community life. His brush often turned toward the labor and landscapes of the region, seen in his depictions of Agricultural Scenes in Virginia and the Chesapeake Fishermen for the Phoebus Post Office.

His reach extended beyond the borders of Virginia, finding its way into the daily lives of people in other states through various commissions. He painted Chicken Farm for a post office in Selbyville, Delaware, and captured a moment of local history in Hampton, Virginia, with his mural First Performance of Edwin Booth. These projects allowed him to translate the specificities of rural and small-town existence into large-scale visual narratives.

• Country Fair and Trading, Court House Square (mural study)
• Conferee
• Chicken Farm
• First Performance of Edwin Booth
• Chesapeake Fishermen
• Agricultural Scenes in Virginia

Later Years and Death

After years of shaping the academic landscape, Calfee stepped away from his position at American University in 1954. Seeking a different pace for his creative life, he moved to Vermont. This period allowed him to focus his energy entirely on his practice, dedicating his time to the physical demands of painting and sculpture away from the bustle of the university.

The quiet of the north did not keep him away from his community for long. In 1957, he returned to Washington, D.C., rejoining the circle of colleagues who had been instrumental in the local art scene. He remained a steady presence in the city, continuing his work and his connection to the creative life of the capital until his passing. He died on December 15, 1995, in Chevy Chase, Maryland.