Guide to the John De Vincenzi Papers MSS.1998.03.05
Laura Lind
SJSU Special Collections & Archives
2006
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library
San José State University
One Washington Square
San José, CA 95192-0028
special.collections@sjsu.edu
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
SJSU Special Collections & Archives
Title: John De Vincenzi Papers
creator:
Gallery Advisory Committee of the San Jose Fine Arts Commission
source:
De Vincenzi, John, 1921-2006
Identifier/Call Number: MSS.1998.03.05
Physical Description:
1 box
(0.21 linear feet)
Date (inclusive): 1963-1991 (bulk 1965-1973)
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.
Content Description
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.
Preferred Citation
John De Vincenzi Papers, MSS-1998-03-05, San José State University Library, Special Collections & Archives.
Conditions Governing Use
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.
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open for research.
Biography
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.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
San Jose Museum of Art
Triton Museum of Art
Art -- California -- San Jose
Art Commissions -- California -- San Jose
Art museums -- California -- San Jose
San Jose Civic Gallery
Gallery Advisory Committee of the San Jose Fine Arts Commission
De Vincenzi, John, 1921-2006
Box 1, Folder 1
Pre-planning and Fundraising Process
1963-1972
Box 1, Folder 2
Administrative Records
1965-1972
Box 1, Folder 3
Triton Museum Controversy
1967-1968
Box 1, Folder 4
Joint Program with San Jose State College
1968-1972
Box 1, Folder 5
Renovation Process
1970-1973
Box 1, Folder 6
Gallery Collection Inventory
1971
