The Bethell's                    

Dr David's Art Page

David Bethel, CBE, RWA 1923 — 2005

David Bethel (born David Bethel!) was born in Bath, and at age 15 moved to Gloucester. After war time service in the Far East with the Royal Navy, David studied at Gloucester College of Art, the West of England College of Art and the University of Bristol. After graduation his teaching career began at Stafford College of Art and Design, where he became departmental head in 1954; in that year he was also elected an associate member of the Royal West of England Academy of Art. Two years later he was appointed vice principal of Coventry College of Art and Design, where he became principal in I965.

In 1969 he was invited to become the Deputy Director of the newly designated Leicester Polytechnic, then took over as Director a year later and remained in post until his retirement in 1987. David was then the only polytechnic director from an art and design background.

In addition to these senior academic positions, David was an executive committee member of the Council for National Academic Awards, where he was chairman of the committee for art and design. Whilst in this position he took the lead in writing the regulations for MPhil and PhD degrees in art and design

During David’s training and academic career he produced his own prints using a variety of mediums: relief etchings; lino cuts, lithograph; silk screen prints and watercolours. His paintings and prints have been exhibited at various Royal Societies and commercial galleries with works purchased for public and private collections.

Following his retirement his expertise was sought after, and he was asked to serve on a variety of committees and advisory boards including various Arts and academic charities, granting student bursaries. It was during this time that he served on the council of the RWA between 1994-1997, being elected to senior executive vice-president in his last year on council. After 1997 David continued to advise and support the RWA meeting monthly in Bristol. David was also a regular contributor to the Autumn Exhibition, and his work can be seen in collections in the UK and abroad.

David continued to paint and design until the spring of his last year, 2005, when he grew too tired and unwell to continue. David died two weeks before Christmas 2005, in the Leicester Royal Infirmary and is missed continuously.

The following work has been submitted for you viewing by the kind permission of Ms Ruth Bethell.  Please do not copy without her permission as all works are copyrighted.

   THIS IS THE LINK TO Dr DAVID'S SLIDE SHOW       click here for slideshow                                                     

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