Finding aid to the Velma Adams Papers, Photographs, and Artwork MS.244
Library and Archives at the Autry
2013
210 South Victory Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91502
rroom@theautry.org
Contributing Institution:
Library and Archives at the Autry
Title: Velma Adams Papers, Photographs, and Artwork
Creator:
Adams, Velma
Identifier/Call Number: MS.244
Physical Description:
1.25 Linear Feet
(2 document boxes, 1 flat box)
Date (inclusive): 1919-1972
Date (bulk): 1929-1948
Language of Material:
English
.
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.
Papers and photographs from Velma Adams. Some of the photographs are of the Gallup Intertribal Ceremonials.
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.
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.
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].
Donated 2011 March 21
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Indian art
Indian arts
Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial Association
Indians of North America
Navajo Indians
Signs and symbols
Artwork
Correspondence
Clippings
Indians of North America -- Music
Arizona -- Description and travel