Helen Edwards Witchell was born in Providence, RI on 1898 July 2. She attended Providence Public Schools graduating in 1916 and attended Rhode Island School of Design, 1916-1920, receiving a diploma in Normal Art. She taught art in the Cranston and Bristol, Rhode Island public schools as well as the RISD Childrens' Saturday classes, 1920-1923.
She married Charles R. Witchell (1898-1988), also from Rhode Island, and moved to California in 1923. Witchell received California certification to teach elementary and junior high school manual and fine arts in 1923. She continued her education at the Chouinard School of Art, Inc. [Chouinard Art Institute] and the University of California Extension Division, 1924-1927, in Los Angeles. She received her California life diploma for public school art in 1932. Witchell died 1992 June 28 in Butte County, California.
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Helen Edwards Witchell Papers, Rhode Island School of Design Archives.
This series documents Helen Edwards Witchell's education, teaching career, and credentials, 1912-1932. The collection holds graduation certificates from Providence, RI for the grammar grades and the Technical High School and her grammar school graduation photograph. Records documenting her certification by the California State Board of Education to teach manual and fine arts include Credentials in Special Subjects, a Rhode Island Teacher's certificate, transcripts, letters of recommendation, verification of employment, and her Life diploma for public school art.
The series is arranged chronologically
Philip T. Fazioli donated the Helen Edwards Witchell papers to the RISD Archives in 1998.