Born in Archangel, Russia on Oct. 8, 1896. Due to the Revolution, Vaganov left his native land and spent a few years in China. In 1923 he came to the U.S. and worked in Oregon in the lumber industry. Moving to California in 1928, he settled in San Diego. After establishing a studio in the old Spanish Village in Balboa Park, he worked on WPA art projects. He was active there through the 1950s and then lived for many years in San Francisco.
Vaganov died at his daughter’s home in Salt Lake City on March 23, 1981. A self-taught, modernist painter, he used the pseudonym Venia.
Exh: Calif. State Fair, 1931, 1949; Kingsley Art Club (Sacramento), 1933; GGIE, 1939; San Diego FA Society, 1940-42; San Francisco Art Association, 1958.
In: San Diego Museum; Carnegie Library, Escondido; House of Pacific Relations, San Diego (mural); San Diego County Visual Education (dioramas).
Edan Hughes, “Artists in California, 1786-1940”
Who’s Who in American Art 1947-53; Interview with the artist or his/her family; Death record.