Original Lephe Kingsley Holden (1881-1973) Watercolor. Straw Hats and Bags Vendors, Key West c. 1950-60. Measures 16 1/2"x13 1/4"x1/2". Weight 3 pds. PROVENANCE: A Charleston SC Private Estate. Painter and art teacher, Lephe Kingsley Holden was born in Hadley, Massachusetts on May 1, 1881. She was the daughter of Elbridge Kingsley and Elizabeth (Cook) Kingsley. Elbridge Kingsley was a painter, wood engraver and illustrator for the Century Co. (Who Was Who in America, Volume 1 (1897-1942). Lephe was a graduate of Hopkins Academy, Hadley, Massachusetts and the Art Student's League, New York. She studied privately with Augustus V. Tack, Dwight Tryon, Guy Wiggins, George E. Browne, Hippolito Hidalgo, and Ed Carviedes. Holden taught art at Maxwell Training College, New York (1908-1912). She married Samuel M. Holden on October 1912, and they were married until his death in January 1936. Holden also served as the Director of Art Instruction in Westport, Connecticut School System (1927-1947). She exhibited with the American Watercolor Society (1936), Fine Arts Building, New York; Allied Artists of America (1940) Fine Arts Building, New York; National Association of Women Painters and Sculptors (1936) Fine Arts Building, New York; Watercolor Club (1937); and Galleries of the American Fine Arts Society. She was an artist member of the Lyme Art Association, Old Lyme, Connecticut, and exhibited there from (1940-1968). "One Man Shows" were held at Argent Galleries, New York, (1942); and Women's Club of Westport, Connecticut, while she was teaching at Christ and Holy Trinity Church of Westport. After her retirement she was awarded prizes in exhibits at Hartford, Bridgeport, and Essex, Connecticut (Connecticut Watercolor Society. The Tides, Key West, February 1949, Key West scenes; Key West Art and Historical Society, 1st Annual Local Art Exhibition, West Martello Art Gallery, February 1950; The Argent Galleries, New York City; Studio Guild, New York City; Key West Woman’s Club, Duval Street, March 1950; Key West Art and Historical Society, East Martello Gallery, February 1951, Galveston Lane; Artists Street Fair, Clinton Place, February 1952; Portrait of Key West, East Martello Tower, January 1953; Artists Street Fair, 4th Annual, Clinton Place, January 1953; Artists Street Fair, Clinton Place, February 1953, Fish Docks; Karns’ Studio, Duval Street, February 1953; All Key West Artists Exhibit, East Martello Tower, November 1955, Bombay Blossoms; Key West Artists Group, Annual Street Fair, February 1956, 1957; East Martello Tower, February- March 1957, with Elvira Reilly, oil and watercolor paintings; East Martello Gallery, November 1957, oils, including, Key West Street.

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