Sara Shewell Hayden

Sara Shewell Hayden (February 28, 1862 – January 3, 1939) was an American impressionist painter who created oil and watercolor paintings of figures, landscapes, and flowers. She received her artistic training at the Art Institute of Chicago and continued her studies in Europe. She worked as a professor of art and showed her art internationally in many exhibitions during her career, including the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition and the 1898 Paris Salon. She was the second of six surviving siblings. She never married, a decision that ultimately allowed her art career to thrive.

Education Hayden went to the Art Institute of Chicago and graduated with honors in 1890. In addition to working as department director and as a professor, Hayden created art in a studio at the University Library on the campus in Lincoln.

In 1916, Hayden was fired by Chancellor Avery. Additionally, a petition against her termination was created by students, and accrued hundreds of signatures from both current and former students of the Art Department. After taking her dispute with Avery to the University of Nebraska Board of Regents, the Regents decided that she was correct and had in fact been wrongfully terminated. Following her resignation, she spent time traveling around the United States and Canada, then returned to Chicago to live with her brother, Horatio S. Hayden Jr. Unfortunately, her activity in the art world largely ceased after she left the University of Nebraska, and she was not part of any more notable exhibitions following her resignation.

Portrait of Ellen Smith, oil on canvas, 28 x 22 inches, 1902-1903. Commissioned by UNL Class of 1902 as a gift to the University. Ellen Smith was the first female professor at UNL and worked there from 1877-1902.

Notable Exhibitions Columbian Exposition, 1893.

West Side Women's Club of Chicago Illinois Exposition, 1896.

Annual Exhibition of Works by Chicago Artists, Art Institute of Chicago, showed ten times between 1897-1911.

Paris Salon, 1898.

Awards First prize in black and white figure drawing, Art Institute of Chicago, 1888.

First prize in pen and ink drawing, Art Institute of Chicago, 1888.

Honorable Mention in water color painting, Art Institute of Chicago, 1889

Silver Medal, Art Institute of Chicago, 1890. At the time Hayden received this award, it was the highest honor a student could receive at the Institute.

First prize in watercolor painting, Portrait of a Young Woman, West Side Women's Club of Chicago Annual Art Show, 1896.