Vance Kirkland graduated from the Cleveland Institute of Art in 1928. In 1929, he moved to Denver to establish the University of Denver Art School. The school originated in the Chappell House. In 1932, he founded the Kirkland School of Art, which became an affiliate of the University of Denver in 1946. Vance Kirkland taught classes in drawing, painting, design, advertising art and interior decoration. eadsrv.denverlibrary.org