Hayward Ellis King

Hayward Ellis King (1928–1990) was an American painter, collagist, art dealer, and an arts administrator. He was a mid-20th century arts leader in San Francisco, California, a co-founder of Six Gallery, and served as the director of the Richmond Art Center. He was the first Black artist to serve as both director and curator of a major San Francisco Bay Area art gallery.

Early life and education Hayward Ellis King was born on March 28, 1928, in Little Rock, Arkansas. In 1950 he was drafted into the United States Army during the Korean War. After serving in the military, King returned to the San Francisco Bay Area. He graduated in with a BFA degree in painting in 1955 from CSFA. The group also took over the King Ubu Gallery in the Fillmore District. and worked as a curator consultant for the Palo Alto Cultural Center (now the Palo Alto Art Center) starting in 1972, and for the San Mateo County Arts Council Gallery starting in 1975. He taught classes at San Francisco State University (SFSU).