This is a collection of the work of artist William Girard, of Royal Oak, Michigan. He was a much loved - and just as frequently reviled - Professor of Art at the Center for Creative Studies (now the College for Creative Studies) in Detroit, Michigan, where he taught for 30 years.

He was dismissed as a direct result of his efforts to unionize the staff of this private educational facility, along with a number of other exceptionally fine colleagues with equally long tenure tracks. Oddly enough, all of the dismissed professors had once been  students at the same institution, long before the administrators and board of directors responsible for turning them out had appeared on the scene.

The work listed here represents an initial step toward the development of a comprehensive catalog of the artist's life and work.

Bill Girard circa 1981

At present, discussion is also underway on the development of a book of essays dedicated to the work of this unacknowledged Master and artist. Should you have any work by William Girard, or personal insights about the artist, you are invited to share them with us, a small group of dedicated friends, collectors and admirers of the artist. Please contact gsmichaels@yahoo.com and enter William Girard on the subject line.

Bill Girard and Glenn Michaels circa 2003

The images appearing here have been gathered from a variety of sources. The primary media are oil paint (paintings), terra cotta and bronze (sculpture). The artist has also used guache, ink and watercolor extensively, but few pieces in these media have, as yet, been added to this collection. Girard is also adept at buon fresco murals, and several recent samples of that work will shortly be included.

For more information about William Girard, see the article published in 2006 in the www.dogwoodjournal, Welcome, Tourist, to Eden. The article is reproduced in this site, as well. A bit more information can be gleaned from a letter in defense of the artist, written to the Dean of the Center for Creative Studies, where Professor William Girard taught for approximately 30 years. That letter is reproduced within this site as well.

 

As time and opportunity allow, more information about the work and life of artist William Girard will be made available.

Bill Girard with Willy circa 11/2009