Chester Kessler Dance Photography Collection, 1949-1974

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Summary

Creators:
Kessler, Chester
Abstract:
Extent:
No. of containers: 7 boxes. Linear feet: 2.3
Language:
Preferred citation:

Chester Kessler Dance Photography Collection. Museum of Performance and Design, Performing Arts Library

Background

Scope and content:

This collection consists of photographs of important local dancers and dance companies, negatives and transparencies, and biographical information. The photographic materials feature such notables as George Balanchine, Ruth Beckford, Carlos Carvajal, Lew Christensen, Anna Halprin, Welland Lathrop, and Zack Thompson. They cover the period between 1949 and 1974.

Biographical / historical:

Chester Monroe Kessler was born in New Melle, Missouri, on May 6, 1919. Kessler was raised in Missouri and went to high school in St. Louis. After World War II, Kessler moved to Los Angeles. He studied photography at the Art Center School in Los Angeles and animation and film making at the University of Southern California. After moving to San Francisco, Kessler studied with Minor White, Bill Grant Jr., and Oliver Gagliani. Since 1954, Kessler has had three one-man shows at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. Kessler has also exhibited at U.C. Berkeley, U.C. Davis, The University of Indiana, The Oakland Museum, Gottham Bookmart Gallery in New York City, Light Sound Dimension in San Francisco, and the Focus Gallery in San Francisco. Kessler is represented in the Theatre Arts Collection of the New York Public Library, in the Erotica Collection of the Kinsly Institute, and in numerous private collections. Chester Kessler died in San Francisco on May 6, 1979.

Acquisition information:
This collection of dance photographs by Chester Kessler was received as a gift to the library from Robert Johnson on July 14, 1987.

Access and use

Restrictions:

Entire collection is open for research use.

Terms of access:

Literary, property, and publication rights have been assigned to the Museum of Performance + Design.

Preferred citation:

Chester Kessler Dance Photography Collection. Museum of Performance and Design, Performing Arts Library

Location of this collection:
2200 Jerrold Avenue
Suite T
San Francisco, CA 94124, US
Contact:
4157413531
info@mpdsf.org
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