Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Alfred Wands graduated from the Cleveland School of Art with honors. Following that, he spent six months in Paris studying at the Academie Julian. In the late 1920's, Wands returned to Ohio to teach painting at the Cleveland School of Art and the Cleveland Museum of Art.

In 1930, Wands moved to Denver to direct the art program at Colorado Women's College. He remained at the Women's College for the next 17 years. During his time in Denver, Wands frequently traveled to Taos, New Mexico. He and his family spent eleven summers there between 1930 and 1940.

By 1943, he had become the Camp Artist at the YMCA of the Rockies, where he taught summer art classes. He later became the Chairman of their Religious Programs and Adult Advisory Committees. By 1947, he quit his teaching position at the Colorado Woman's College to devote full time to his painting. By 1955, Wands opened his own studio and gallery in Estes Park, Colorado.

Known as the "Dean of Colorado Landscape Painters", he served three times as the President of the Denver Artists Guild. He was the Chairman of the Denver Art Commission for 16 years. Wands was a long-time member of the Denver Artists Guild and the Denver Art Commission. He was also a member of the Cleveland Society of Artists, Ohio Watercolor Society, and Chicago Galleries Association.

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