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Walter C. Foster
Walter Christopher Foster 1887 - 1929
R.C.A. 1903 - 1908
Walter Christopher Foster is recognised as one of Britain's great neglected artists*. Walter spent much of his short life as a teacher of art but he was a prolific oil and watercolour painter.
Walter Christopher Foster was born in 1887 in Bingley, West Yorkshire . The middle son of printer William Foster, Walter attended Bingley Grammar School followed by four years as assistant to the Art Master at Bingley School of Art. Walter's natural artistic talent was recognised when he won a scholarship to study at London's Royal College of Art. He studied there from 1903-1908 gaining a full diploma. His tutors included acclaimed painters Gerol Moira and William Richard Lethaby as well as stained glass artist Christopher Whall.
Walter returned to Yorkshire where he first taught art at Halifax Secondary School. In 1911 he was appointed Headmaster at Bingley School of Art before returning to Bingley Grammar School in 1913 as Art Master.
Walter enlisted as a volunteer in the Royal Navy in 1915.
On his return from naval duties in 1918 he spent a year at Lister's Mills in Bradford studying textile colouration and design before moving over the Pennines to become Headmaster at Stockport College of Art.
He exhibited numerous oil and watercolour paintings at Bradford's Cartwright Hall from 1911-1919 including 'A Winter Afternoon' and 'October Morning'
By 1924 the lure of the Aire Valley and career enhancement had drawn him back to Shipley where he became Headmaster at Shipley School of Art until his untimely death in 1929.