1912
Born, 3/3, West New York, NJ to Charles and Susan (Meehan) Holst. (Heirlooms reunited)
1926
Commenced high school in NJ, moved to Cambridge, MA, continued HS and had an encouraging art teacher. (Av interview)
1929
Parents encouraged his pursuit of art and art school despite “The Great Crash.” AV interview.
1934
Graduates Mass. College of Art (graduation program, Library, Mass. College of Art)
Honorable Mention, Thesis Painting, MassArt (CV, 1977 Retrospective)
1935
Shows Myles Standish Gallery, Boston (CV, 1977 Retrospective)
1936
Shows Myles Standish Gallery, Boston (CV, 1977 Retrospective)
1937
Executes “Fan Dancer,” litho, 1937, NGA (nga.gov)
Shows Myles Standish Gallery, Boston (CV, 1977 Retrospective)
Independent Study Lithography, (CV, 1977 Retrospective)
1938
1934-38 likely working for his father in his printing business as suggested by Fran Merritt at least as of the 1938 timeframe (Merritt Interview, Smithsonian)
Shows Tracy Library, New London (CV, 1977 Retrospective)
Executes “Ain’t Misbehavin’,” litho, 1938, NGA (nga.gov)
“Came to New Hampshire” to teach at Proctor Academy. (Candee bio, AskArt)
Independent Study Lithography, (CV, 1977 Retrospective)
Exhibited John Esther Gallery with Merritt (” The Andover Townsman,” October 13, 1938)
1939
Proctor Academy (“Green Lantern”, Proctor Academy Yearbook)
Exhibited John Esther Gallery with Merritt and Holbrook (Abbott Academy Bulletin)
Independent Study Lithography, (CV, 1977 Retrospective)
1940
“Railroad Station,” watercolor, purchased by UNH, (CV, 1977 Retrospective)
Proctor Academy (Green Lantern)
Founding member NHAA (Candee bio)
Living in Cambridge with parents and brother Charles (1940 census)
Independent Study Lithography, (CV, 1977 Retrospective)
1941
Shown Carnegie Institute “Directions in American Art” (exhibition catalogue)
“Still Night,” lithograph, purchased by Dartmouth College, (CV, 1977 Retrospective)
Show, Colby Sawyer College, (CV, 1977 Retrospective)
Summer, Art Group with Fran Merritt, Quickwater Farm (1941 CS Magazine “Faculty News”)
Conducts a Summer School with Merritt according to Merritt Interview ((Smithsonian)
Proctor Academy (Green Lantern)
1942
Enlists, U.S. Army, June 17 (wwii-enlistment.com)
1943
Enlisted, U.S. Army (inference)
First Prize, Servicemen’s Art Exhibition, San Juan (CV, 1977 Retrospective)
1944
Enlisted, U.S. Army (inference)
Shows Servicemen’s Art Exhibition, San Juan (CV, 1977 Retrospective)
3/24/44 “Yank” magazine features nameless art club on the base in PR Holst helped organize (“Yank”)
1945
Enlisted, U.S. Army (inference)
Illustrations published in “Puerto RICO: United States Army Air Forces, Boriquen Field P.R.,” (credits of same)
Mural Decorations, Officer’s Club, Boriquen Field P.R. (CV, 1977 Retrospective)
1946
Included, Cambridge Art Association Exhibition, Busch-Reisinger Museum, Harvard University (CV, 1977 Retrospective)
Joins faculty of UFL (FAA Bulletine, 9/46)
1947
Shown in Florida Federation of Art (FFA) annual exhibit and wins FFA Gold Medal, Best Florida Landscape, for “The Pink Dress.” (CV, 1977 Retrospective and article in “The Florida alligator.”)
Shown Sharon, Arts Center (pdfsearch.io)
1948
At UF through at least the first semester (“Florida Gator” 1/16/48).
First Prize, Best in Show, Florida Federation of Art (FFA) annual exhibit, “Night Prowler” (CV, 1977 Retrospective)
Moves to New London and joins faculty of CSC as art chair (Candee bio AskArt and 1948 Colby Junior College Bulletin “Faculty Facts”)
Summer Hofmann studies (Candee bio)
Quoted in critical “Concord Daily” and referenced in more sympathetic “Christian Science Monitor” articles On 1948 NHAA show. (Candee bio)
1949
Summer studies The Hofmann School, Provincetown (Hans Hofmann Papers, Smithsonian, AAA, student log)
Students that summer included E. de Kooning, Nelle Blaine, Larry Rivers (9th St Women) John Grillo, Fred Mitchell, and Michael Loew (Color Creates Light) Joan Mitchell, Win Anderson, Dede Maeght, Bill Witt, and and Myron Stout (Hofmann Papers).
Forum ‘49
NHAA Circulating Exhibition, 11/13-12/1, includes “Landscape Composition #1” and “Still Life #1” (Currier Catalogue)
Wins Currier Museum of Art Award for “Composition #1” Currier/NHAA Annual (CV, 1977 Retrospective)
Two paintings “Lobstermen‘s Gear” and “Night Prowler” are juried in to an exhibition at Symphony Hall in Boston for the 1949-1950 season.
1950
Summer studies, The Hofmann School, Provincetown (Hofmann Papers, student log)
1951
Summer studies The Hofmann School, Provincetown (Hofmann Papers, student log)
NHAA/Currier Fifth Annual show, 11/3-12/2 “Composition No. 3″ (Currier Catalogue)
1952
Summer studies The Hofmann School, Provincetown (Hofmann Papers, student log and letter from Holst to Hofmann indicating attendance for part of the season)
1953
Wins James H. Hill Award, Currier Museum of Art, for “Composition #14,” Currier/NHAA Annual (CV, 1977 Retrospective)
1954
Shown, Brick Store Museum (Biddeford Maine Journal, 6/1/54
Hans Hofmann School, Summer (Hofmann Papers, tuition statement).
1955
“Suspended” juried in and exhibited in Provincetown Art Association and Museum First 1955 Exhibition (PAAM Exhibition calendar, provincetownhistoryproject.com)
Winner of the James W. Hill Memorial Award, NHAA 9th Annual Exhibition for Composition #14
1956
Included, Boston Art Festival, Art Exhibition, Boston (CV, 1977 Retrospective)
NHAA Tenth Annual show, 11/3-12/2 “Composition # 4,” oil (Currier Catalogue)
Haystack, summer, (Haystack at Liberty)
1957
Marries Gretchen Goodwin (according to correspondence with a former student and lifelong friend)
Haystack, teaches graphics (“In the Vanguard”and Haystack at Liberty)
Letter to Hofmann requesting recommendation towards Fulbright Grant, 10/20/57, recounts a visit with Hofmann that summer and his studies 1949, 1950, 1951, and 1952 (Hofmann Papers)
Hofmann draft recommendation, (Hofmann papers)
1958
Summer, Haystack (Haystack Mountain website)
1959
Sabbatical to Europe for a year (postcard to Hofmann, Hofmann Papers, Smithsonian)
Trip includes 3 months in Italy, a month in Paris, and visits to Spain, Holland, and Copenhagen (postcard to Fran and Pris Merritt, (Haystack Archive, Fogler Library, U of M, Orono).
1960
Summer, Haystack: “For the past four summers, Mr. Holst has devoted three weeks a summer to teaching painting and lithography at Haystack (Colby Courier 11/9/62) (also Haystack at Liberty). Also, the August 1960 bulletin reported his summer study at Hatstack.
Studied Painting at Haystack, Summer (Colby Junior College Bulletin, August, 1960)
Summer on Deer Isle and September “jaunt” to Provincetown to see Hofmanns and other artist friends (“Wednesday” letter from Gretchen to Merritt’s, Haystack Archives)
NHAATenth Annual show, 11/13-12/11 “SPDV-3” oil
1961
Summer Haystack (Haystack Mountain website) (also Haystack at Liberty)
Elaine de Kooning 3 day visit to CSC (“Colby Courier” 11/4/61)
1962
One Man Show, Steindler Gallery Jan/Feb (review, ArtNews, March 1962 announcement NYPL)
Summer, Haystack: “For the past four summers, Mr. Holst has devoted three weeks a summer tob teaching painting and lithography at Haystack (“Colby Courier” 11/9/62) Also, graphics and painting “In the Vanguard”)
The Steindler show paintings exhibited in the Sawyer Center in the fall (“Colby Courier” 11/9/62)
1963
6/17/63 William and Gretchen buy property on Little Deer Isle, ME from Haskell (Hancock County records)
Summer Haystack (Haystack Mountain website) Also, graphics (“In the Vanguard”)
NHAA Seventeenth Annual show, 11/3-12/1 “August, 1962” oil (currier catalogue)
Exhibition, Centennial House, Haystack (“In the Vanguard”)
1964
Shows “Number 4-64” in NHAA eighteenth (1964-1965) exhibition (Currier/NHAA catalogue).
Haystack, graphics (“In the Vanguard”) . Helps stage “Happening” during Haystack summer program.
1965
Summer Haystack (Haystack Mountain website) graphics and painting (“In the Vanguard”)
NHAA Nineteenth Annual show, “7-23-65” oil (Currier/NHAA catalogue)
“October, 1964” carries a 1965 Exhibition Submission Label (label)
1966
European Sabbatical 6/66 – 9/67 (“Colby Courier” 5/29/66)
Trip included 12 months studying and painting in Paris and 3 months travel as far as Turkey and Greece (postcard to Lotte Jacobi, Lotte Jacobi papers, UNH).
1967
European Sabbatical 6/66 – 9/67 (“Colby Courier” 5/29/66)
Began relationship with Maeght (Candee bio)
Dec-Jan show, Sawyer Center (“Colby Courier”)
1967 “Colby Courier” article describes show (“Colby Courier”)
1968
NHAA 21st Annual Exhibition, 6/15-7/14, “Mave,” oil (Currier/NHAA catalogue).
Summer Haystack (Candee bio)
7/24/68 William and Gretchen buy (contiguous Lot) on LDI from Fussiner (Hancock County records)
1969
“Couvre,” oil on canvas, exhibited March14-April, 20, Flint Institute of Art, Flint Michigan, as part of “Haystack” show. (Exhibition catalogue, courtesy, Haystack Archives, Folger Library, U of M).
4/4/69 CSC press release on a show at CSC Sawyer Center including a group of his sculptures. This was the first time his sculptures were shown.
Holst participates in “Insight 69” at Bennington at invitation of M. C. Richards (“Crossing Point” M.C.R.)
Billed as photographer in ACC “Outlook” (“Outlook” Vol. 10 No. 3)
NHAA 23rd Annual Exhibition, 11/29-12/28, “Figure,” pastel (Currier/NHAA Catalogue)
Won NHAA award for “Figure” ( NHAA annual – Currier/NHAA catalogue)
1970
1961 image used as cover for Summer/Fall “Lillabulero” (“Lilliburo” and CSC press release)
Participated in Kaprow’s “Happenings” and “Days Off;” MOMA calendar. Photo Credits to Holst. (CSC Press release 9/22/69)
NHAA 24th Annual Exhibition, 11/20-1/3 “Untitled,” stainless (Currier Catalogue)
1971
Work featured in “Art in New Hampshire, 1971” show at Plymouth State College (CSC press release 3/16/71)
NHAA 25th Annual Exhibition, 11/19-1/3 “2R-71” and “R-69,” stainless, wins The Currier Gallery of Art Award (Currier Catalogue)
Won Currier Prize (AskArt bio, Candee).
Summer Haystack (Candee bio)
1973
On Campus CSC Sabbatical (press release)
Maeght printed a (second) series of Host prints (1974 CSC press release)
1974
“Instead of Paris” One man show Colby Center and Mugar Art Buolding, CSC (11/26/74 press release)
Show included paintings done on 1973 sabbatical and another series of lithographs “Holst made in Paris last summer under the auspices” of Maeght (11/26/74 CSC press release)
Show, Rivièr College
Shown, Addison Gallery of American Art (Arthur Yanoff CV)
1976
5/6/76 William grants to Gretchen (now Weiss) (Haskell Lot) property on LDI (Hancock County records)
1977
Retrospective Exhibit of paintings, drawings, sculpture and prints, CSC that also travels to Hargate, St. Paul’s School, Concord, NH (CSC 1977 Bulletin and CV, 1977 Retrospective) )
Addison Gallery acquires “Proar,” a 1966 work. (Addison website)
Retires from NHAA board and committees (Candee Bio)
Retires from CSC (CSC)
Continues to teach classes, ICA, Boston (Candee bio and Concord Monitor Obituary). According to Elizabeth Kasevich’s website, she studied with Holst at AIB and 1984 ANE article references a 1984 faculty show at the Art Institute of Boston.
1978
Moved to Deer Isle full time (Candee bio)
1979
Married Betty Boutilier, Exeter, Nh (Exeter, NH town website)
1982
Trip to South Africa (sketch, “Cape of Good Hope,” II-25-82)
1983
Christine Gardner Interview (Art New England)
The Art Institute of Boston , 1983-1985 Catalog
1984
The Art Institute of Boston , 1983-1985 Catalog
“Art New England” Feb., 1984, article “On Painting: A Dialogue between William Holst and Arthur Yanoff.” (Art New England)
Exhibition, Art Institute of Boston, Jan., 1984, (“Art New England,” Feb., 1984.
1985
“The Elusive Object” show, St Anselm (exhibition catalogue including artists statement)
Catalogue states “resides in Northampton”
The Art Institute of Boston , 1983-1985 Catalog
1986
2/20/86 buys Stonington house from Coombs et al (Hancock County records)
1987
Interview with Alana VanDerwerker, 4/1/87, Centenial House (AV interview).
1995
Died 9/20/95, age 83, Stonington Maine (Island Legacy)
Buried, Mount Auburn Cemetery (former student and concord Monitor obituary)
Much of his art was given to Seamark Community Arts, Deer Isle (Bruce Bulger).
Some time before 2004, De Joy Antiques, Blue Hill, acquires a group of Holst’s work from estate (Duane De Joy) .
2008
“Fan Dancer,” 1937 and “Ain’t Misbehaving,” 1938 acquired by NGA as part of Reba and Dave WilliamS Collection (National Gallery of Art website)
2010
Exhibited in NHAA 70th Anniversary show at Portsmouth Historical Society (Hippo Press)
2015
Exhibited as part of a NHAA (75th Anniversary) and League of New Hampshire Craftsmen Retrospective in conjunction with a Ed and Mary Scheier show at the Portsmouth Historical Society.
2018
Lewis “Julian” Kotekas estate auctioned at Eldred’s Including several Holsts (Eldred’s)
2019
Lithograph exhibited at The Portland Museum of Art and Cranbrook as part of “In the Vanguard” show. (See book/catalogue of show.)
Miles Redd features Holst painting in Top Picks on 1stdibs. (1stdibs).
Holst painting on paper with an asking price of $4750 sells (1stdibs)
2020
williamhost.info and @williamholstinfo launched
“William Holst and Fred Mitchell: Black on White – Selected Works,” Philip Douglas + Garvey Rita Fine Art, on Artsy.
2021
Two lots of Holst paintings auctioned at Farrin’s Auction, Randolph, Maine.
2022
Stonington Public Library talk “Down Easterly Migration: William Holst, Student, Artist, Teacher,” link of replay on “Downeasterly Migration” page of this site.
Two Holst oils and two lithographs exhibited at Turtle Galley (formerly Centennial House), Deer Isle, Maine.