Acclaimed Wilkes Artist Ward Nichols dies

Ward Hampton Nichols of North Wilkesboro died early Tuesday morning, May 5, surrounded by his children at the Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home. Though he was two months shy of his 96th birthday, a beautiful celebration of his life, legacy, and art took place just weeks before at the Wilkes Art Gallery. The family wishes to share their deepest gratitude for the gallery, its board, staff and members, and all of the artists, musicians, collectors and friends who made this night so special. We also express our greatest thanksgivings for Ward’s caretakers and closest friends whose love and support enabled him to live at home independently after the death of his wife, Martha.

Ward was born July 5, 1930, at Grace Hospital in Welch, West Virginia, a small coal mining community in southern West Virginia. His parents, Hugh H. and Frances L. Nichols, were beloved economic, civic and servant leaders during the city’s prime. Ward’s early childhood in Welch, known as a bustling affluent “Little New York” at the time, offered an unparalleled, cosmopolitan scene that greatly influenced his curiosity, perspective and vision.

While weekends were often spent at the local theater, where a double feature’s intermission included a live jazz band, weekdays were spent perfecting his craft of cartooning. He taught himself to draw at a very young age, and often entered contests sponsored by local and national artisans. At 12, Ward received his first set of oil paints as a Christmas gift from his parents and completed his first oil painting of two horses which hangs in his studio today.

Ward graduated from Welch High School in 1948, where his many extracurricular activities also included playing trumpet in the high school band and orchestra. His talent and dedication earned him selection to the 1947 West Virginia High School All-State Band, instilling his lifelong love of music. Until his very last painting in January of this year, Ward always listened to classical or jazz music in his studio while he painted, which was also loud enough for his neighbors to enjoy.

Hoping to become a draftsman, Ward enlisted in the United States Navy and served during the Korean conflict. He became a member of the U.S. Navy Jazz Ensemble of the Great Lakes Naval Training Center and, after graduating from the U.S. Navy Storekeepers (Supply) School in Bayonne, New Jersey, served aboard the USS Macomb (DDS-23), a destroyer minesweeper. He participated in naval operations in the Mediterranean, Africa, the Arctic, and Caribbean.

Following three years at sea, he was appointed to the personal staff of Admiral William T. Carney, who represented the United States during the formation of NATO headquarters in Naples, Italy. While stationed in Naples during the formation of NATO, he designed an insignia used to identify NATO members, later adopted as a shoulder patch. This was the first U.S. Navy-approved unit emblem ever worn by enlisted men. While serving in the Navy, Ward co-founded the first shipboard weekly news publication for a ship of its size on active duty, and established a lending library aboard ship, both firsts for that class of vessel. He frequently recalled the artistic impact and awe of seeing the works of Da Vinci, Michelangelo, and other Masters of the Italian Renaissance.

After returning to civilian life, he became active in the United States Junior Chamber of Commerce (Jaycees), serving in multiple leadership roles locally and at the West Virginia state level. He was also active in the Sports Car Club of West Virginia and the Sports Car Club of America, participating in driving events with his MGA. Later he raced his Austin-Healey and Jaguar in local rallies, and at Virginia International Raceway competitions. On a whim, he even broke the local point to point record on one of the most famous most mountainous terrains of West Virginia, delighting in the hairpin turns and switchbacks.

A lifelong aviation enthusiast, Ward was especially proud of piloting a WWII Flying Fortress bomber over Winston-Salem and Forsyth County. Other aviation adventures included many flights with family and friends over the years, an invitation to Kennedy Space Center in Florida to represent the arts during the Apollo 12 moon launch, and countless trips to the Wright Brothers museum, which always ended with a declaration of his personal desire to fly. This intrigue was frequently captured as a theme in his paintings, and the freedom of flight represented by what many came to call “a Ward Nichols sky.”

In 1953, Ward married Ethel Marsh, who was born in Wilkes County and worked in his father’s office supply and printing business. Together they raised three sons: David, Stephen, and Michael. After working in his father’s business for 15 years, Ward left his father’s business to pursue his passion for painting. He and Ethel relocated to North Wilkesboro in 1968, establishing a studio in their home so he could become a career artist. Concentrating primarily on the medium of oil, Ward soon achieved national recognition and representation in major museums and galleries throughout the United States and abroad.

Ward won more than 30 major awards for his paintings, including the Grumbacher Award of Merit presented by the El Paso Museum of Art. He participated in over 200 group shows and 175 solo exhibitions in 94 individual galleries across 24 states. His work was exhibited at Hickory Museum of Art, the Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art in Winston-Salem, Asheville Museum of Art, Roanoke Fine Art Center in Virginia, NC Museum of Art, and Birmingham Museum of Art in Alabama. Furthermore, his work is part of the permanent collections of eight museums in the United States and Europe, including: the Springfield Museum of Art in Springfield, Massachusetts; the El Paso Museum of Art in Texas; the Russell Museum in the United Kingdom; Gutenberg Museum in Germany; Museum Kunstmuseum in England; the Hickory Museum of Art in Hickory, North Carolina; Daytona Speed Museum in Florida; and the Huntington Museum of Art in Huntington, West Virginia.

Ward completed three Artist-in-Residence appointments at the University of Indiana, Terre Haute, Indiana; The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia; and West Liberty State College in West Liberty, West Virginia. In addition to being a painter, sculptor, and avid photographer, Ward was a passionate advocate for the arts and played a major role in supporting the Wilkes Art Gallery for more than 60 years. Proceeds from his exhibits helped fund many local activities and programs helping to educate and inspire people throughout the county. He also served as President of the Walker Center Events Board of Directors, President of the Wilkes Art Guild, and Chairman of the North Wilkes Art Guild publication North Carolina Artists and Craftsmen.

After the death of his first wife, Ward married Martha M. Barksdale in 1986. With a mutual love of the arts, they built a life centered around art, exhibits, travel, history, music, community, church and family. The early years of their marriage included many high school and college events, as they parented Chet, Beth, and John from adolescence to adulthood. Later years brought weddings and grandchildren, art exhibits predominantly in Ashville, Winston, and North Wilkesboro, and travel to every state in the continental US. Ward and Martha especially enjoyed exploring historical and cultural destinations throughout Europe, Russia, Egypt, and across America. The quote “horizons are not boundaries” is prominently displayed in Ward’s studio and served as a daily reminder to him that life and art is an open journey.

Ward was a devoted member of North Wilkesboro Presbyterian Church, and his art is currently on display at Blue Spiral 1, a gallery in downtown Asheville, and locally at the Wilkes Art Gallery. He is preceded in death by his former wives, Ethel and Martha, and his sister, Rosa Lee. He is survived by his children, David (Chris) of Geneva, NY, Stephen (Brenda) of Mobile, AB, Michael, Chet (Lizzie) of Winston -Salem, NC, Beth (Laura) of Germanton, NC, and John (Katina) of Winston-Salem, NC; 9 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren; and his sister, Sue Ellen Tegatz of Estes Park, CO.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, June 6, at the North Wilkesboro Presbyterian Church, followed by a reception and display of his paintings at the Wilkes Art Gallery from 3:00 – 5:00 pm.