Which university employed Georgia O'Keeffe as head of its art department from 1916 to 1918?

Georgia O'Keeffe headed the art department at West Texas State Normal College from 1916 to 1918.

The college, now known as West Texas A&M University, was located in Canyon, Texas. O'Keeffe taught there after working in South Carolina and Virginia, and the position gave her regular contact with the open landscapes of the Texas Panhandle. She continued developing her own drawings and abstractions while teaching.

Her time in Canyon was important because the surrounding terrain influenced some of her early work. The stark horizon, cliffs, and expansive skies offered visual experiences that later connected naturally with her interest in the landscapes of New Mexico. Teaching also provided income and professional independence before her New York career became established.

The institution's name is easy to confuse with a modern university name. O'Keeffe did not work under the current name during her tenure; West Texas State Normal College was the historical name used in the period. Her later teaching posts included the University of Virginia.