Velma Adams Papers, Photographs, and Artwork, 1919-1972, bulk 1929-1948

Collection context

Summary

Creators:
Adams, Velma
Extent:
1.25 Linear Feet (2 document boxes, 1 flat box)
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

Velma Adams Papers, Photographs, and Artwork, 1919-1972, Braun Research Library Collection, Autry Museum of the American West, Los Angeles; MS244; [folder number] [folder title][date].

Background

Scope and content:

Papers and photographs from Velma Adams. Some of the photographs are of the Gallup Intertribal Ceremonials.

Biographical / historical:

Velma Adams was born April 4, 1902 in Fruita, Colorado. She studied at the Otis Art Institute (Los Angeles County Art Institute), the Grand Central School of Art, and the Art Students League of New York. Her instructors included George Biddle, F. Tolles Chamberlin, and Loren Barton. She was a member of the California Art Club, Print Makers Society of California, California Society of Etchers, Southern Printmakers Society, Women Painters of the West, and the Los Angeles Art Association. Her work was displayed at the Southwest Museum, the Appalachian Museum of Art in Mt. Airy, GA, the Los Angeles County Museum of Science and Arts, and in private collections. She received several awards for her lithography, watercolor, sculpture, and prints. In the 1930s, Adams accompanied Dr. Frederick W. Hodge on a camping trip through Southwest Indian country. During this trip, Adams sketched many Indian individuals and landscapes, as well as the symbols used throughout Indian arts and crafts. She developed a chart of these symbols which was widely distributed to trading posts across the Southwest. This chart was sold through Southwest Indian Symbols with the help of Jack Dodge. Velma Adams lived on South Oxford Avenue in Los Angeles, CA.

Acquisition information:
Donated 2011 March 21

Access and use

Restrictions:

Appointments to view materials are required. To make an appointment please visit https://theautry.org/research-collections/library-and-archives and fill out the Researcher Application Form.

Terms of access:

Copyright has not been assigned to the Autry Museum of the American West. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Head of Research Services and Archives. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Autry Museum of the American West as the custodian of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the reader.

Preferred citation:

Velma Adams Papers, Photographs, and Artwork, 1919-1972, Braun Research Library Collection, Autry Museum of the American West, Los Angeles; MS244; [folder number] [folder title][date].

Location of this collection:
4700 Western Heritage Way
Los Angeles, CA 90027, US
Contact:
(747) 201-8448