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1933 - 2005
Wallace Glen Lee was born on June 16, 1933 in Panguitch, Utah to Glen Steele Lee and Mary Schow. He graduated from Northwestern University Dental School in Chicago, Illinois in 1958. He married Joan Adams in 1953 and they have three children; Judge Wallace A. Lee, Dr. David G. Lee, D.D.S., and Joyce Adele Lee who died in 1978 from an accident.
Dr. Wallace G. Lee practiced dentistry for thirty-two years in Panguitch. The dental office he built still functions as a dental practice today. He served his profession as president of the Southern Utah District Dental Society, and as a delegate on the governing body of the Utah Dental Association.
In addition of being active in his profession, Wallace Lee served two terms as mayor of Panguitch from 1973-1981. As mayor, he guided the community with a sense of purpose in making Panguitch a model community in the state. He served as President of the Lions and Jaycee Clubs and Chamber of Commerce in Panguitch. He was appointed member of the Governor's Advisory Council on Community affairs under both Governors Rampton and Matheson. He was a member of the Board of Directors of the Utah League of Cities and Towns. He served on the Garfield Memorial Hospital Board and Hospital Foundation Board. He was a member of the Tenth Circuit Court Judicial Nominating Commission, and served as a Regional Director of Zion's First National Bank. In 1987, Wallace Lee received the Southern Utah Honors Medallion at Southern Utah University for his extraordinary commitment to Southern Utah.
While dentistry was his life's work, he always carried a dream to pursue a career in fine art. In December 1989, at the age of 56, Wallace Lee retired from dentistry and the opportunity to pursue his life long dream became a reality.
In January 1990, he and Joan moved to St. George where he registered for classes with Max Bunnel and Del Parson at Dixie College. In addition to instruction at Dixie College, there are nine artists whom Wallace Lee has studied with and who were influential in his work. They include: Spike Ress, Hogyu ji, Ann Templeton, Ray Vinella, Michael Lynch, Everett Kinstler, Howard Carr, Richard Schmid and Harley Brown.
From student to instructor, Wallace Lee taught art classes at Dixie State College and has given workshops. He was a signature member of the Nevada Watercolor Society and the Western Federation and Southern Utah Watercolor Societies. He has received numerous awards and recognition for his artwork. The following are some of the most recent:
- 1997, 1998, 2000, 2005 - "First Place Watercolor," Robert N. and Peggy Sears Dixie
State College Invitational Art Show, St. George art Museum, St. George, UT.
- 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003 - Western Federation of Watercolor Societies Exhibit
"Juror's Commendation Award," San Diego, CA & "Merit Award" Park City,UT &"Merchandise Award," Las Vegas, NV.
- 1999, 2001 - "Best of Show" Arts in the Park Art Show, St. George, UT.
- 1999, 2000, 2004 - "Top 100" Arts for the Parks Competition "Award for Excellence."
- 2000, 2001, and 2003, "Best of Watercolor" 2003: "Best of Painting," 2001; "Best of
- Watercolor," 2000; The Regional, St. George Art Museum, St. George, UT.
- 2002 - "Mini 50" Arts For the Parks Competion
- "Region II Winner," Jackson Hole, WY.
- 2002 - "Best of Show/ Purchase Award" Robert N. and Peggy Sears Dixie College
- Invitational Art Show, St. George, UT.
- 2003 - "Award of Merit," 2003 Spring Salon Springville Museum of Art, Springville, UT.
- 2005 - One Man Show, "A Journey in Burr Trail Country," St. George Art Museum
- Mezzanine.
- 2005 - Art Show in remembrance of Wallace Lee,
- Cedar City Art Committee, Cedar City, UT.
- 2006 - Sears Dixie Invitational Distinguished Service Award, Dixie State College.
- 2006 - "Wallace Lee's Legacy of National Parks," Art Show, St. George Art Museum.
- 2006 - Art Show in Memoriam of Wallace Lee, and three others,
- Springville Museum of Art.
- 2006 - Wallace Lee Featured Artwork in Escalante Canyons Arts Festival Everett
- Ruess Days.
Wallace Lee was also asked, along with several other artists, to paint and donate for display, two paintings for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, St. George Tabernacle. "Christ in Gethsemane" and "Brigham Young selecting the site for the St. George Temple" were the two paintings he donated. Wallace Lee's death occurred before the dedication of this exhibit in 2005.
Wallace Lee has painted 853 "professional" paintings. The painting he was working on at the time of his death, "The Unfinished Painting," is number 854.
Wallace Glen Lee passed away on May 10, 2005 from cancer at his home in St. George, Utah.
He is buried in the Panguitch City Cemetary.
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