Next stop was Berkeley, California. Haley accepted a position to become a teacher at the University of California. He became known for promoting the Modernist movement through his teachings. He worked primarily in watercolors early in his career and graduated to tropical –influenced oils in the 50’s and 60’s.
Haley was drafted into the United States Naval Reserve in 1943. He was requested to draw every detail of the Surrounding areas for invasion strategies. Then he was sent to Normandy, Sicily and the Pacific Islands. In 1945 Haley returned to U.C. Berkeley after an honorable discharge from the military.
Haley is credited with building one of the strongest art departments in the country. Thus the term “Berkeley School” came to be under his helm. The” Berkeley School” artists were watercolorists whose works were defined by their linear, graphic shapes. Haley taught at the University for over 40 years.
Throughout his life, Haley experimented in different styles of painting. He worked in sculpture, etchings and photography, studying for a time with Ansel Adams.
He retired from teaching in 1972 after building an impressive reputation as a teacher, mentor and artist.
