Originally relying on more traditional themes, Arthur's art became significantly more abstract by the early 1950s, with many pieces being influenced by space travel, technology, and the
Cold War. By 1932 he was professionally displaying his work in
New York City; His artwork and exhibitions were reviewed in
ARTnews in 1946 and 1953; and by
Art Digest (now Arts Magazine) in 1984. In the 1946 review, Arthur was working in a "semi-
Cubism" painting style. It has been one of the nation's preeminent art competitions on the
East Coast, with many of the awardees reaching high levels of success in their art careers. From 1956 until his death in 1986, Arthur was head of the
Chautauqua Art Summer School in Chautauqua, New York, where he frequently taught painting and drawing classes and gave lectures. He also taught art appreciation classes, and he taught at
New York University. His students included psychiatrist
Karl Menninger, Joan Seiler, Clifford Davis, Vadim Filimonov, Thorton W. Whipple,
Herb Jackson, and Anthony H. Horan. He had an eccentric teaching wardrobe of
bermuda shorts, sandals, and bucket hat. The Chautauqua Art Centre (now known as Chautauqua Art Association Gallery) was founded in 1956 by Arthur; which since 1958 hosts the
Chautauqua National Annual Exhibition (now known as the
Chautauqua Annual Exhibition of Contemporary Art). == Death and legacy ==