Biographies of Utah
Deaf Artists
Written & Compiled by Jodi Becker Kinner
Published in 2022
Published in 2022
Virgil Rogers Greenwood
During the years 1927–1929, Virgil Rogers Greenwood, a 1931 alumnus, drew the drafting assignments while a student at the Utah School for the Deaf in Ogden, Utah.
Virgil was a gifted artist and woodworker who excelled in drafting in school. After graduation in the spring of 1931, Principal Max W. Woodbury encouraged Virgil to pursue an architecture degree at Gallaudet College in Washington, D.C. Virgil's father, R.P. Greenwood, told Principal Woodbury no because he needed Virgil to work on the farm. The Great Depression began in October 1929.
Virgil was a gifted artist and woodworker who excelled in drafting in school. After graduation in the spring of 1931, Principal Max W. Woodbury encouraged Virgil to pursue an architecture degree at Gallaudet College in Washington, D.C. Virgil's father, R.P. Greenwood, told Principal Woodbury no because he needed Virgil to work on the farm. The Great Depression began in October 1929.
Lucy McMills & Virgil Greenwood, 1930s
Virgil's love of art began at a young age, and he excelled at it. He drew many pencil sketches of Victorian women for his mother, Ethel Melissa Rogers Greenwood. He used pastels, oils, and watercolors in his work. Roses were Virgil's mother's favorite flower. He made three rose oil paintings, which were framed and hung in his mother's home until she died, after which the paintings were presented to his wife, Lucy Pearl McMills Greenwood, a CODA and long-serving interpreter of the Utah Deaf community. Virgil also painted a mural of Christ among flowers for the Lomond View Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. About 50 years ago, the church was dismantled. The painting was removed at the same time as the demolition.
Virgil's drawing while a student at the Utah School for the Deaf
Virgil's artistic talent was handed down to his children over the years. His son, Timothy David Greenwood, graduated from Ben Lomond High School as a Sterling Scholar, excelling in drafting, woodworking, and art. Virgil's grandson, Jonathan David Greenwood, is a talented artist who excels in various mediums.
Virgil's daughter, Jean Greenwood Thomas, like her mother, a long-time interpreter, had her first memory of her father's painting in a Christmas ornament box. They were delicately cut and shaped into small white doves, which were hung from a string. When Jean asked about the doves with her mother, Lucy, said, "Those were made by your father for our first Christmas tree, the year we were married (Jean Greenwood Thomas, personal communication, December 1, 2021).
The slideshow below contains Virgil's remarkable drafting assignments. Enjoy!
Virgil's daughter, Jean Greenwood Thomas, like her mother, a long-time interpreter, had her first memory of her father's painting in a Christmas ornament box. They were delicately cut and shaped into small white doves, which were hung from a string. When Jean asked about the doves with her mother, Lucy, said, "Those were made by your father for our first Christmas tree, the year we were married (Jean Greenwood Thomas, personal communication, December 1, 2021).
The slideshow below contains Virgil's remarkable drafting assignments. Enjoy!
Virgil Rogers Greenwood's Drafting Assignments During 1927 & 1929 at the Utah School for the Deaf
Benjamin Davis
Benjamin Davis was born deaf in 1983 and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah. He also has cerebral palsy. His artistic career began when he was three years old. His father brought home reams of scrap paper from work, on which Benjamin created vast works of art with pencils, crayons, and toy watercolor sets. He did not allow his disabilities to prevent him from developing his artistic skills. He has used art to express himself.
For much of his education, Benjamin attended the Salt Lake City Extension of the Utah School for the Deaf. He studied in the mainstream art classes at Cottonwood High School. He has always been interested in drawing, but through some very talented and encouraging high school teachers, he began to learn how to paint landscapes, seascapes, and figures.
For much of his education, Benjamin attended the Salt Lake City Extension of the Utah School for the Deaf. He studied in the mainstream art classes at Cottonwood High School. He has always been interested in drawing, but through some very talented and encouraging high school teachers, he began to learn how to paint landscapes, seascapes, and figures.
Benjamin Davis
Benjamin has shown remarkable ability in any medium, including oil, watercolor, acrylics, colored pencil, and charcoal. He is also talented in computer art. He is comfortable with any art style, but under the instruction of one of the best known landscape artists in the West, Bonnie Posselli, he has begun to make a name for himself as an oil landscape artist. He also paints beautiful portraits.
Benjamin continued painting after high school and has exhibited in many places. He entered and won a trip to Washington, DC, to show his art in the VSA International Arts Festival in 2004.
Benjamin continued painting after high school and has exhibited in many places. He entered and won a trip to Washington, DC, to show his art in the VSA International Arts Festival in 2004.
Benjamin Davis painting a picture
He has had his work presented and sold at galleries in Park City and Salt Lake City, Utah.
Beginning in 2012, the Springbok puzzle company marketed Benjamin's Christmas Gingerbread house painting as a children's puzzle. Many of his paintings are now on display on his website so that everyone may see his talent.
Benjamin's exquisite Web Art Gallery can be found at: https://www.benjamindavis.net This website also provides available purchase information.
Beginning in 2012, the Springbok puzzle company marketed Benjamin's Christmas Gingerbread house painting as a children's puzzle. Many of his paintings are now on display on his website so that everyone may see his talent.
Benjamin's exquisite Web Art Gallery can be found at: https://www.benjamindavis.net This website also provides available purchase information.
Benjamin Davis' Artwork
Benjamin Davis' Artwork
Benjamin Davis' Artwork
Benjamin Davis' Artwork
Benjamin Davis' Artwork
Benjamin Davis' Artwork
Benjamin Davis' Artwork
Stephanie Gomes Belshe
Stephanie Gomes Belshe
Stephanie Gomes Belshe, born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah, is an idea girl, an artist, and a certified deaf interpreter. She is married to Robert, a Marvel Comics expert, and the mother of five caramel-popcorn-eating children and two neurotic but adorable dogs. She was mainstreamed throughout her childhood and attended a public school. She eventually relocated to New Mexico, where she completed her high school education at a public school. In 2006, she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in illustration from the University of Utah.
Stephanie has been drawing since she was a child, as soon as she could pick up a pencil. She had set herself the goal of becoming an artist, and she has succeeded. As she grew older, she earned a couple of awards in various competitions. She enjoys working with diverse mediums and experimenting with new techniques. Stephanie has designed t-shirts for numerous non-profit organizations and given artwork to a few more. In addition, she took several commissions from people. She's obsessed with Halloween and wants to learn how to make life-size monsters.
Stephanie's artwork is exhibited on Instagram, and she also sells her artwork products on the Redbubble website. Her "artsydeafy" account can be viewed on both Instagram and Redbubble. Take a peek at her amazing artwork: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/?query=artsydeafy&ref=search_box
Stephanie has been drawing since she was a child, as soon as she could pick up a pencil. She had set herself the goal of becoming an artist, and she has succeeded. As she grew older, she earned a couple of awards in various competitions. She enjoys working with diverse mediums and experimenting with new techniques. Stephanie has designed t-shirts for numerous non-profit organizations and given artwork to a few more. In addition, she took several commissions from people. She's obsessed with Halloween and wants to learn how to make life-size monsters.
Stephanie's artwork is exhibited on Instagram, and she also sells her artwork products on the Redbubble website. Her "artsydeafy" account can be viewed on both Instagram and Redbubble. Take a peek at her amazing artwork: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/?query=artsydeafy&ref=search_box
Stephanie Gomes Belshe's Artwork
Stephanie Gomes Belshe's Artwork
Stephanie Gomes Belshe's Artwork
Stephanie Gomes Belshe's Artwork
Stephanie Gomes Belshe's Artwork
Stephanie Gomes Belshe's Artwork
Erik Jensen
According to Erik Jensen's website, he is a Deaf artist. He graduated from Utah Valley University with a Bachelor of Science in Art Education in 2017. He started doing art with computer keyboard keys in 2013, started doing it as a business in 2017 and went on to be a full-time artist in 2018.
Erik started doing art when he was first able to pick up things. His mother was (and still is!) awesome and allowed him to be free in his creativity, even it if meant big messes. This played a big part in Erik’s success throughout his life. In high school, his ceramics teacher supported him through every assignment and more. She even put in her own money so Erik could continue to develop his incredible art skills. His art has won several awards throughout his art career, in high school, college and art shows and festivals. In college, Erik had a couple pieces in the annual student art show. Both are what started his designs for what he has begun this art business with–computer key art.
Erik's magnificent artwork can be viewed at https://www.erikjensenart.com. His artwork is available for purchase on this website.
Erik started doing art when he was first able to pick up things. His mother was (and still is!) awesome and allowed him to be free in his creativity, even it if meant big messes. This played a big part in Erik’s success throughout his life. In high school, his ceramics teacher supported him through every assignment and more. She even put in her own money so Erik could continue to develop his incredible art skills. His art has won several awards throughout his art career, in high school, college and art shows and festivals. In college, Erik had a couple pieces in the annual student art show. Both are what started his designs for what he has begun this art business with–computer key art.
Erik's magnificent artwork can be viewed at https://www.erikjensenart.com. His artwork is available for purchase on this website.
Erik Jensen
Erik Jensen's Artwork
Erik Jensen's Artwork
Erik Jensen's Artwork
Erik Jensen's Artwork
Erik Jensen's Artwork
Erik Jensen's Artwork