De Vincenzi (John) Papers, 1963-1991 (bulk 1965-1973)

Collection context

Summary

Title:
John De Vincenzi Papers
Dates:
1963-1991 (bulk 1965-1973)
Creators:
Gallery Advisory Committee of the San Jose Fine Arts Commission and De Vincenzi, John, 1921-2006
Abstract:
The John De Vincenzi Papers document De Vincenzi's activities as the chair of the Gallery Advisory Committee to the San José Fine Arts Commission. The committee advocated for, planned, and managed the development of the San José Civic Gallery--now known as the San José Museum of Art--in downtown San José,California. The bulk of the documents in the collection reflect the committee's activities and interactions with the public, the City Council, the Triton Museum, and the San José City Council Art Department, between 1965 and 1973. Some documents from 1963 and 1991 are also included.
Extent:
1 box (0.21 linear feet)
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

John De Vincenzi Papers, MSS-1998-03-05, San José State University Library, Special Collections & Archives.

Background

Scope and content:

The John De Vincenzi Papers were donated to the San José State University Special Collections and Archives in 1998. The collection consists of files documenting the activities of the Gallery Advisory Committee to the San José Fine Arts Commission, which John De Vincenzi chaired. The files in this collection include meeting minutes, agendas, reports, and correspondence with the City Council; memoranda and clippings documenting the controversy between the committee and the Triton Museum; petitions for public support of the gallery; publicity items; architectural plans; and newspaper clippings featuring the committee's work. The bulk of the papers in the collection were created between 1965 and 1973, though a 1963 memo and some 1991 clippings about the gallery's history are also included.

Biographical / historical:

John De Vincenzi was born in San José in 1921. He married Lonnie Santina in 1943 and they had two children. Vincenzi also served in World War II. He received a Bachelor's degree from San José State College in 1949, an MA degree from Stanford in 1950, and in 1950 he became an art instructor at San José State College. He was promoted to full Professor in 1969; a position he held until his retirement in 1991. During his career, he achieved high honors as an artist. He was the first artist in residence at Santa Clara's Triton Museum, and was knighted by the Republic of Italy. De Vincenzi became chair of the Gallery Advisory Committee to the San José Fine Arts Commission in November, 1965. Under De Vincenzi's leadership, the advisory committee carried out the planning process for the proposed conversion of a San José public library building into a city art gallery. The City Council approved the committee report in February of 1969 and the San José Civic Gallery opened on September 19, 1971. De Vincenzi remained active on the advisory committee until September of 1972. He was instrumental in the formation of the Civic Gallery Association, and also helped assemble the gallery's first permanent collection--a group of 40 works donated by local artists.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Laura Lind
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2016-07-15 11:53:49 -0700 .

Access and use

Restrictions:

The collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

Copyright has not been assigned to the San José State University Library Special Collections & Archives. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Director of Special Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Special Collections & Archives as the owner 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. Copyright restrictions also apply to digital reproductions of the original materials. Use of digital files is restricted to research and educational purposes.

Preferred citation:

John De Vincenzi Papers, MSS-1998-03-05, San José State University Library, Special Collections & Archives.

Location of this collection:
One Washington Square
San Jose, CA 95192-0028, US
Contact:
408-808-2062