Claremont Arts Fair Scrapbook, 1958 - 1960

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Summary

Creators:
Abstract:
Extent:
.21 linear feet (1box) linear feet. Containing brochures, newspapers, photographs, newspaper articles and clippings, and administrative materials.
Language:
Preferred citation:

Claremont Arts Fair Scrapbook. Claremont Heritage

Background

Scope and content:

The Claremont Arts Fair was an annual festival that showcased local artwork that highlighted Claremont artists. The Claremont Arts Fair Scrapbook Collection features materials collected that highlight the first three annual Claremont Arts Fairs. The collection is primarily made up of newspaper and article clippings that focus on the events held during the weekend, artists who were involved with the exhibitions and programming, and profile and exposé pieces on the prize-winning artists. Among the well-known artists featured in the clippings are Karl Benjamin, Phil Dike, Millard Sheets, Harrison McIntosh, and Milford Zornes. In addition to the articles, the scrapbook collection also features photographs of the art exhibits (primarily in the Claremont Village area), brochures for each three Arts Fair, and administrative documents: letterhead, announcements, and art entry forms. The scope of the collection covers the Claremont Arts Fair from 1958 – 1960. The Claremont Arts Fair continued to run as an annual event throughout the 1960s and 1970s.

Biographical / historical:

Since the 1930’s, the City of Claremont and Claremont Colleges have been a haven for artists. The transition into art community was due in large part to Millard Sheets, a Pomona native and artist who studied at the Choinard Art Institute in Los Angeles. Returning to Claremont in the 1930s, Sheets joined the faculty at Scripps College in 1936, where he served as Director of Painting until 1955. During his time at Scripps, Sheets was able to bring in several notable artists as professors to the budding Claremont Colleges art program. Artists like Jean Goodwin Ames, Phil Dike, William Manker, Henry Lee McFee, Albert Stewart, and Milford Zornes all served on the faculty during this period, teaching primarily painting and ceramics at Scripps College and the Claremont Graduate School. In addition to the art faculty, public art pieces and murals across the campuses by artists like Ramon Martinez and Jose Clemente Orozco offered inspiration to a new generation of Claremont artists. The Padua Hills Theatre, built in 1930 in the Claremont foothills also encouraged a growing art movement in Claremont. The theatre itself served as home to the Mexican Players performance troupe from 1932 to 1974, drawing audiences to Claremont from around Southern California. In addition to the dining room and theatre, Padua Hills also hosted an art colony where ceramic artists like Harrison McIntosh, Rupert Deese, and Betty Davenport Ford had studios and workshops. Each summer the Padua Hills Art Fiesta brought together local artists for a celebration of art in action. Padua Hills thrived as an artist’s colony and the presence of such a community, coupled with the artistic influence of the Claremont Colleges, created an art mecca in Claremont.

Access and use

Restrictions:

The collection is open for research use.

Terms of access:

Permission to publish, quote, or reproduce must be secured from the repository and the copyright holder (if applicable).

Preferred citation:

Claremont Arts Fair Scrapbook. Claremont Heritage

Location of this collection:
840 N. Indian Hill Blvd.
Claremont, CA 91711, US
Contact:
(909) 621-0848
info@claremontheritage.org
Website