William E. Artis

William Ellisworth Artis (February 2, 1914 – 1977) was an African-American sculptor. Born in Washington, North Carolina, he moved to New York in 1927. He was a pupil of Augusta Savage and exhibited with the Harmon Foundation. He studied at the Art Students League of New York and Syracuse University, where he worked with Ivan Meštrović. He later taught at Nebraska Teachers College in Kearney (today Chadron State College), where from 1956 to 1966 he was Professor of Ceramics, and at Mankato State College as Professor of Art until 1975.

Decorative Head

Head in terracotta