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

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.

1.25 Linear Feet (2 document boxes, 1 flat box)

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