©Arthur Weithas Click for larger image!

Born in Bronx, NY February 18, 1911. Arthur studied Dynamic Symmetry with Howard Giles, Modern Color Theory and Design with Howard Trafton, at the Art Students League. He also studied draftsmanship with Jack Potter at the School of Visual Arts and with Alexey Brodovitch at the New School in New York City.

Art’s career in advertising covers art direction, graphic and packaging design for Elizabeth Arden, Richard Hudnut and Cover Girl cosmetics. He worked for B.B.D. & O. and S.S.C. & B. advertising agencies. In the early 50’s he freelanced and had his own advertising studio.

Arthur exhibited in eight one-man shows. He also exhibited in numerous group exhibitions; The Museum of American Illustration at the Society of Illustrators in New York City, New Britain Museum of American Art in New Britain, CT and the Keyes Gallery at the Willoughby Wallace Memorial Library in Stony Creek, CT. His art is in the collections of the U.S. Army Center of Military Art, the U.S. Coast Guard Collection in Washington, D.C., New Britain Museum of American Art, The Museum of American Illustration at the Society of Illustrators, and in private collections.

Weithas enlisted in the Army May 21, 1942 and because he laid out and designed the original issue of YANK, The Army Weekly, he became head art director. He covered the Central and South West Pacific as combat artist and photographer. Art volunteered for combat coverage in the Philippine invasion, took part in the capture of Manila and saw action in Corregidor. He was in the landing at Mindanao. Art received the Asiatic-Pacific Service Medal with four bronze stars, Philippine Liberation Ribbon, Distinguished Unit Badge, Good Conduct Medal and the Legion of Merit. He was discharged as a Technical Sergeant on YANK October 11, 1945.

Arthur collaborated with James Jones, the author of From Here to Eternity, to produce the book WWII about combat art. Art’s book Close to Glory published in 1998 is about the untold stories of YANK correspondents during WWII.

Arthur was past Museum Director of The Museum of American Illustration at the Society of Illustrators. As well as Vice-President, Executive Vice-President, and Co-Chairman of the Permanent Collection. He was also a member of the Publication Committee. Because of his commitment to the importance of illustration as an artistic and cultural medium and his dedication and leadership in expanding the Society of Illustrators as the center of illustration, he received the Dean Cornwall Achievement Award in 1988.

Art was a member of the Low Illustration Committee at the New Britain Museum and because of his knowledge of the art of WWII, he was selected to head the Military Collection and in 1995 organized the exhibition “Reporting the Wars”.

There are artists but not too many artistic artists. Art was indeed one of the latter.

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