Ward Hampton Nichols, a prolific artist whose work bridged the gap between the rugged landscapes of Appalachia and the prestigious galleries of Europe, died Tuesday morning, May 5, at the Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina. He was 95 years old.
A man of expansive curiosity, Nichols left behind a legacy that spanned the disciplines of oil painting, sculpture, and photography, as well as a distinguished record of military service. His life was defined by a refusal to be confined to a single identity; he was simultaneously a naval veteran, a jazz enthusiast, a competitive racer, and a cornerstone of the North Carolina arts community.
Just weeks before his passing, the Wilkes Art Gallery hosted a celebration of his life and legacy, an event attended by the collectors, musicians, and fellow artists who had followed his career for over six decades. For those who knew him, Nichols was best remembered for his “horizons”—both the literal ones he captured on canvas and the metaphorical ones he pushed throughout his nearly century-long life.
From ‘Little New York’ to the High Seas
Nichols was born July 5, 1930, at Grace Hospital in Welch, West Virginia. At the time, Welch was a thriving coal mining hub, often referred to as “Little New York” due to its cosmopolitan atmosphere and affluence. This early exposure to a bustling, diverse environment sparked a lifelong intellectual curiosity and a drive toward the arts.
A self-taught draftsman, Nichols began cartooning as a child and received his first set of oil paints at age 12. His early dedication to the craft was matched by a passion for music; a talented trumpet player, he earned a seat in the 1947 West Virginia High School All-State Band. This affinity for jazz and classical music remained a constant throughout his life, serving as the soundtrack to his studio work until his final painting in January 2024.
Seeking to refine his skills as a draftsman, Nichols enlisted in the U.S. Navy during the Korean conflict. His military career was marked by a rare blend of operational duty and creative contribution. While serving aboard the USS Macomb (DDS-23), a destroyer minesweeper, he participated in naval operations across the Mediterranean, Africa, the Arctic, and the Caribbean.
His career took a pivotal turn when he was appointed to the personal staff of Admiral William T. Carney in Naples, Italy, during the formation of NATO headquarters. It was here that Nichols made a lasting mark on military history: he designed the insignia used to identify NATO members, which was later adopted as a shoulder patch. This design became the first U.S. Navy-approved unit emblem ever worn by enlisted men.
The ‘Ward Nichols Sky’ and the Pursuit of Flight
Returning to civilian life, Nichols lived with a restless energy that manifested in a love for speed and aviation. He was a fixture in the Sports Car Club of America, racing Austin-Healey and Jaguar models in rallies and competitions at the Virginia International Raceway. He famously broke a point-to-point record across the mountainous terrain of West Virginia, a feat he recalled with delight for years.
However, it was the air that truly captured his imagination. An aviation enthusiast, Nichols once piloted a WWII Flying Fortress bomber over Winston-Salem and Forsyth County. His fascination with flight extended to the dawn of the space age; he was invited to the Kennedy Space Center to represent the arts during the Apollo 12 moon launch.
This obsession with the atmosphere became a signature of his artistic style. His paintings often featured expansive, luminous heavens—a style that admirers and critics eventually dubbed “a Ward Nichols sky.” For Nichols, the freedom of flight was not just a hobby, but a spiritual representation of his personal philosophy: “horizons are not boundaries.”
A Career Defined by National Recognition
In 1953, Nichols married Ethel Marsh. For 15 years, he worked in his father’s office supply and printing business, but the pull of the canvas eventually became irresistible. In 1968, he and Ethel relocated to North Wilkesboro, where he established a home studio and transitioned into a full-time career as an artist.
Specializing in oils, Nichols achieved a level of visibility rarely seen for regional artists. He participated in more than 200 group shows and 175 solo exhibitions across 24 states. His work was not merely displayed but preserved, finding permanent homes in major institutions across North America and Europe.
| Museum/Institution | Location |
|---|---|
| Springfield Museum of Art | Springfield, Massachusetts |
| El Paso Museum of Art | El Paso, Texas |
| The Russell Museum | United Kingdom |
| Gutenberg Museum | Germany |
| Museum Kunstmuseum | England |
| Hickory Museum of Art | Hickory, North Carolina |
| Daytona Speed Museum | Daytona, Florida |
| Huntington Museum of Art | Huntington, West Virginia |
Beyond the galleries, Nichols served as an Artist-in-Residence at the University of Indiana, The Greenbrier in West Virginia, and West Liberty State College. He also leveraged his success to uplift his community, serving as President of the Wilkes Art Guild and the Walker Center Events Board of Directors. For over 60 years, he was a primary benefactor and advocate for the Wilkes Art Gallery, using proceeds from his exhibits to fund local arts education.
Family and Final Reflections
Following the death of his first wife, Nichols married Martha M. Barksdale in 1986. Together, they shared a profound love for history, travel, and the arts, visiting every state in the continental U.S. And exploring cultural landmarks across Europe, Russia, and Egypt.
Nichols is survived by six children: David (Chris), Stephen (Brenda), Michael, Chet (Lizzie), Beth (Laura), and John (Katina); nine grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and his sister, Sue Ellen Tegatz. He was preceded in death by his wives, Ethel and Martha, and his sister, Rosa Lee.
His art remains on public display at the Wilkes Art Gallery and Blue Spiral 1 in downtown Asheville.
A memorial service is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. On Saturday, June 6, at the North Wilkesboro Presbyterian Church. A reception and a public display of his paintings will follow from 3:00 p.m. To 5:00 p.m. At the Wilkes Art Gallery.
We invite readers to share their memories of Ward Nichols or their reflections on his work in the comments below.
