A 1934 alumnus of the University of Vermont, Francis Colburn developed his painting skills at the Art Students League in NYC in the mid-1930's. He soon returned to northern Vermont where he remained for the rest of his life. A former chair of the art department at UVM, his styles developed from the "social realism" of the 1930's to his own form of cubism and surrealism, as expressed in his portraits, landscapes and still life of his native state.Colburn also worked in the federally funded Works Progress Administration project (WPA) which ran from 1935 to 1943. The gallery on the third floor of Williams Hall (307) named in his honor hosts exhibitions of students, faculty and visiting artists throughout the year.