Lynn Fausett
Distinguished Western Artist


Lynn Fausett, Class of 1912

Brigham Young High School
Class of 1912


Carbon County, Utah, Scene, by Lynn Fausett
Early Carbon County Scene, by Lynn Fausett

Lynn Fausett was born February 27, 1894 in Price, Utah. He was the oldest of the eight children of George A. Fausett and Helen Josephine Bryner Fausett.

Lynn's early education came in Carbon County public schools, and then he studied at Brigham Young High School in Provo beginning in 1910. In June of 1912 he received a BYH Diploma in Art & Manual Training, which was a high achievement.

Seeking additional education, he returned to Price, where he graduated from Carbon County High School in May of 1913.

As a young man, Lynn Fausett demonstrated talent in many different fields. During his school years he was recognized as an outstanding orator, football player, sprinter, musician specializing in the clarinet, newspaper reporter, and artist.

His early art took many forms, including painting sets for local theatrical productions. He won many ribbons in county fairs and other local art shows.

Lynn enjoyed art so much, that he encouraged a younger brother, Dean Fausett, to become a painter. Dean is also recognized as a distinguished painter.

Following high school graduation, he became a teacher in a small school in Hiawatha, Utah.


Exodus from Nauvoo, by Lynn Fausett Brigham Young meets Jim Bridger
Lynn Fausett was one of the foremost muralists of the Mormon pioneer experience. The left panel illustrates the exodus from Nauvoo, Illinois. The right panel illustrates a legendary meeting between Brigham Young and a famous mountain man, Jim Bridger, as the wagon trains moved toward the Great Basin, where they eventually decided to settle in the Valley of the Great Salt Lake. Courtesy of: "This is the Place State Park" in Salt Lake City, Utah.

To Them of the Last Wagon, by Lynn Fausett
Many Mormon families could relate more "To Them of the Last Wagon" than to all of those who entered the Great Salt Lake Valley ahead of them. That they were covered with dust, plagued by broken equipment and exhausted oxen, and with no one coming behind to lend a helping hand in times of trouble, those of the last wagon deserved a special recognition for their broken hearts and perservance, and this was recognized by Lynn Fausett. To Them of the Last Wagon, by Lynn Fausett, © courtesy Museum of Art, Brigham Young University, all rights reserved.


Lynn Fausett studied art at Brigham Young University, the University of Utah, and the Art Students League of New York, while living on very modest means. He first married Helen Elizabeth Wessells on September 15, 1925. She was an artist, and they studied art together in New York. They were later divorced.

Lynn later served as President of the Art Students League for 14 years. He was recognized for stabilizing the league, which had been reeling from the clashes of artistic rivalries on the staff and in the membership, and was in financial trouble.

During his presidency, the Art Students League liberalized its requirements for membership and placed a three-year limitation on Board membership. This condition continues today. He led the financial recovery of the League, which allowed it to become a source of strength to many generations of artists.

Under Fausett, the League embarked on a greatly broadened approach to teaching, and included teachers with radically different points of view on the staff.

Fausett studied fresco painting in France, and mosaics in Germany and Italy.

He worked on murals for numerous important buildings, including the Nebraska State Capitol, St. Bartholomew Church in New York, the Irving Trust Co. in New York, Wall Street in New York City, the Foreign Exchange Telephone Building in New York City, the Baltimore Trust Co. in Maryland, Union Station in Kansas City, at the Chicago Worlds Fair, and many others.

He worked on four murals under WPA sponsorship, beginning with a mural for his home town in the Price City Hall, which involved nearly two years of work.

He also managed to complete other commissions including a large mural in the Union Building of the University of Wyoming, and another work at the White Pine High School in Ely, Nevada.

Fausett painted many murals for the LDS Church, including a mural commemorating the 63rd anniversary of the founding of the Primary Association (the children's auxiliary).

A Day in June, by Lynn Fausett
A Day in June, by Lynn Fausett

Fausett utilized a painting technique employing gauche and tempera, with oil varnishes, rather than oil pigment itself. His earlier style was reminiscent of American Scene art as popularized by Reginald Marsh and others in the 1930s.

Following his divorce, Lynn second married Fiametta Rhead on September 7, 1940. Fiametta had been born on April 8, 1897 in Coalville, Utah. Her parents were James B. Rhead and Maria Martin Rhead.

From about 1942 on, Fausett produced easel paintings of historical subjects and of impressions he retained from his childhood, including military life, ranch scenes, cattle drives, and various recollections of Utah Canyon country.

Dugout Ranch, by Lynn Fausett
Dugout Ranch, by Lynn Fausett

In the 1960s he returned to Utah, where he became a respected teacher and creator of a wide variety of work including epic depictions of the Western landscape. One of his pieces, "Angel's Arch," is credited with influencing Washington legislators to have that area of Southern Utah designated as Arches National Park.

Lynn Fausett earned a place in Who's Who in New York in 1938, in Who's Who in America in 1940, and was twice listed in more recent years in Who's Who in American Art.

Lynn Fausett died on August 17, 1977 in Salt Lake City, Utah. He was buried in Price, Utah. His wife, Fiametta Fausett, died on October 13, 1989 in Salt Lake City, Utah. She was buried next to her husband in Price, Utah.

Muddy River Canyon, by Lynn Fausett
Muddy River Canyon, by Lynn Fausett


Lynn and Dean Fausett, brothers
Lynn Fausett painting at Lake Powell.


From: Helper Museum wmrmuseum@helpercity.net
To: Brigham Young High School website
Sent: Friday, July 5, 2013
Subject: Lynn Fausett painting "Early Carbon County Scene"

"Early Carbon County Scene" is a wonderful painting and an excellent example of Lynn Fausett's work. It is very beautiful.

It is even more beautiful when viewed in person. I would like to request attribution since the painting is one we own and have on display in our lobby. It is one of 17 Works Progress Adminstration [WPA] paintings the museum owns.

We also have one other Lynn Fausett painting, "Kenilworth". It would be nice if your visitors knew the actual location where the paintings could be viewed.

Cordially yours,

James Boyd

Helper Western Mining & Railroad Museum
294 South Main Street
P.O. Box 221
Helper, Utah 84526
435-472-3009


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