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ArtCenter College of Design Archives

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ArtCenter College of Design Archives

The ArtCenter Archives collects, preserves, and shares the school's history

12/19/2024

As we say goodbye to 2024, we'd like to thank all of the researchers, students, staff, and faculty that used the Archives and Special Collections this year. And a huge thank you to all of our donors - we added 12 new collections in 2024! Best wishes for a happy holiday season!

Some of the images added to our Virtual Archives this year:
Image 1: Simon Johnston (R) with students under the bridge, circa 1995. (Photography by Steven A. Heller) (P280.219)
Image 2: Three students on the bridge, 1990. (Photography by Steven A. Heller) (2004.27.4189)
Image 3: Donald Putman and his drawing class at the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, 1963. (2004.21.468)
Image 4: Sergio Pininfarina standing next to a white Ferrari in front of the Carrozzeria Italiana exhibition sign, 1981. (Photography by Long Photography) (2004.26.2953)

12/05/2024

Pasadena, November 15, 1974. 50 years ago, ArtCenter celebrated a "Great Day" by pouring champagne and planting saplings in the dirt that was to become our Hillside Campus. Guests included architect Craig Ellwood and Charles and Ray Eames. Fun fact: the students in these pictures are old enough to be the grandparents of current students.

Images 1, 2 & 4: Students and staff planting tree saplings into the graded hillside. (2004.26.949/950)
Image 3: Charles and Ray Eames drinking champagne with President Donald Kubly. (2004.26.1047)
Image 5: Students looking at the artist's rendering of the new campus. (2004.26.949)

11/21/2024

Did you go to any Uncle George Parties while you were at ArtCenter? Alum George Bullard (BA 74 Photo) set up the Bullard Fund to pay for student-run events that promoted socializing and a break from their intense, demanding schedules. From 1986 to 2002 the parties ranged from BBQs, to concerts, to cultural events. Thanks Uncle George!

11/07/2024

When taking a break with your instructor meant something totally different.

Image: Photography instructor Charlie Potts taking a smoke break with three students, circa 1960. (2004.25.1048)

10/31/2024

It's not a Halloween decoration - it's a live tarantula in Norm Schureman's 2010 class. Get past your fear of creepy crawlies and you would learn from a master. Check out his whiteboard and chalkboard sketches!
(All photography by Steven A. Heller)

10/24/2024

Is it possible to make it through ArtCenter without coffee?

Image 1: A Photography student and model taking a coffee break, circa 1950. (2004.21.2965)
Image 2: Gerald Murison (BA 46 Photo) drinking coffee at a table laid out for breakfast, 1942. (2004.44.19)
Image 3: Ronald Cleveland (BS 37 Product) sleeping next to his architectural model with someone's feet in his coffee cup, circa 1935. (Photography by Irene Gutterman, BA 37 Photo) (2003.2.76)
Image 4: Dorothy Johnson (BA 48 Advert) and Estelle Olynyk (BA 49 Advert) drinking coffee with Roberta, circa 1948. (2004.74.7)

10/17/2024

During ArtCenter's early years, when so many of our graduates went to work in print advertising, fashion illustration was a very marketable skill. The only thing cooler than the art and the clothes were the instructors - check out their names!

Image 1: A student's hands shown working on a drawing of a woman in a red dress, circa 1950. (2004.21.760)
Image 2: Gwaine Noot reviewing a student's work, circa 1937. (2004.21.2)
Image 3: Nina Novinska critiquing student work, circa 1947. (2004.25.766)
Image 4: Midge Quenell advising Howard Weinstock (BA 57 Illustration) on his drawing, circa 1955. (2004.21.152)

10/10/2024

Did you know that the Sinclaire Pavilion - ArtCenter's student lounge with a million dollar view - is named for Morgan (BS 42 Photography) and Esther Sinclaire? We have some of his student work in the Morgan Sinclaire photographs in the Archives: https://archives.artcenter.edu/spec-67

Image 1: The Sinclaire Pavilion, October 2019. (Photography by Juan Posada)
Image 2: Esther and Morgan Sinclaire (right) at the Pavilion groundbreaking, July 27, 2000. (Photography by Steven A. Heller) (2004.26.1127)
Image 3: Photography students on the porch of a roadside grocery store, circa 1942. (Photography by Morgan Sinclaire) (2010.28.3)
Image 4: Two female models posing in mist, circa 1942. (Photography by Morgan Sinclaire)(2007.1.7)

10/03/2024

When ArtCenter moved to its second campus in suburban Hancock Park we gained a huge front lawn - perfect for lounging with friends or Illustration classes.

Image 1: The front of ArtCenter's 3rd Street campus, circa 1951. (2004.26.22)
Image 2: Students lounging on the front lawn of the 3rd Street campus, circa 1950. (2004.26.19)
Image 3: Harvey Thompson's Illustration class working from a model on the front lawn, circa 1955. (2004.21.291)
Image 4: An Illustration class working from a model on the front lawn, circa 1955. (2004.21.302)

09/26/2024

Curious about ArtCenter's history and can't make it to the Archives? Check out our digital exhibits! artcenterarchives.omeka.net/exhibits We have four exhibits - Transportation Design, Photography Department, Jules Bates, and the Wind Tunnel. Thanks to our Getty Marrow Undergraduate Interns Conner and Maya for all their hard work!

08/15/2024

Congratulations Graduates!! Whether your graduation was in a courtyard, an auditorium, a tent, or the Pasadena Civic Center, you all have one thing in common - a degree from ArtCenter! A special shout out to Val Hobbs - our student worker for 2+ years in the Archives - hooray! You did it!

Image 1: Spring 2018 graduation at the Pasadena Civic Center. (Photography by Juan Posada)
Image 2: January 1966 graduation in the auditorium at the 3rd Street Campus. (2004.26.1376)
Image 3: May 1970 graduation in the courtyard at the 3rd Street Campus. (2004.26.1410)
Image 4: 1990 graduation at Art Center (Europe). (2004.27.268)
Image 5: Summer 1995 graduation in a tent at Hillside Campus. (2004.26.1848)

08/08/2024

A huge THANK YOU to Maya Sanchez, our Getty Marrow Undergraduate Intern this summer. Maya is researching and designing an online exhibition of the history of the Transportation Design Department. Great job, Maya - we really appreciate your hard work!

Image 1: Maya searching for photos in the stacks.
Image 2: Maya and "Strother MacMinn" checking out a Jaguar in the parking lot.

08/01/2024

Whether you were in class, at a crit, or taking a quick nap, those grey metal stools weren't exactly comfortable. It's the end of an era as ArtCenter replaces them with new stools with back support. But for you sentimental types, we'll be sure to keep a few of the classics in the Archives.

Image 1: Julian Ryder critiquing Advertising student work, circa 1984. (2004.20.165)
Image 2: Wayne Hunt and Graphic Design students in the classroom, circa 1985. (2004.20.4065)
Image 3: Keith Teter and Transportation Design students in the classroom, circa 1983. (2004.23.498)
Image 4: A Fine Art painting class, circa 1978. (2004.20.3113)

07/25/2024

Before the trees grew in at ArtCenter's new Pasadena campus in 1976, students had ample opportunity to enjoy a sunny day.

Image 1: Students sitting on the northwest steps of Hillside Campus, 1976. (2004.26.633)
Image 2: Students lounging on the cafeteria patio, 1976. (2004.26.624)

07/18/2024

Did Calder, Judd, and di Suvero go to ArtCenter? 40 years ago, their artwork did! In the summer of 1984, the ArtCenter Sculpture Garden was born when Fine Art chair Laurence Dreiband convinced LACMA to loan ArtCenter sculptures rather than put them in storage during a construction project.

Image 1: A woman in front of Three Quintains (Hello Girls) by Alexander Calder, 1984. (2004.26.3362)
Image 2: A man in front of Untitled (for Leo Castelli) by Donald Judd, 1984. (2004.26.3339)
Image 3: Pre-Natal Memories by Mark di Suvero, 1984. (2004.26.3375)
Image 4: Cubi XXIII by David Smith, 1984. (2004.26.3380)

All photography by Denis Nervig (BA 85 Photography)

07/11/2024

Yeah, it's hot outside, but in 1993 it was hot inside...hot rods inside the Williamson Gallery, that is. The exhibition was Road Rebel: The California Hot Rod.

(All photography by Steven A. Heller)

06/27/2024

When ArtCenter's South Campus building opened in 2004, Archetype Press had a new home and a new Director, Gloria Kondrup. How many people have stopped on the sidewalk to see what's new and cool at ?

Image 1: The press in its new home, 2004.
Image 2: Gloria Kondrup in the new space, 2004.
Image 3: Gloria Kondrup demonstrating the press, 2023.
Image 4: Joshue Molina helping a student with the press, 2023.
Image 5: Archetype Press spelled out in wooden type, 2023.

(2004 photography by Steven A. Heller; 2023 photography by Juan Posada)

06/20/2024

Archetype Press is a collection of rare American and European metal foundry and wood type originally belonging to Vern Simpson’s legendary typesetting shop in Hollywood. When ArtCenter acquired it in 1989, the question was where to put it. 40 Mills Place in downtown Pasadena was Archetype's home for it's first 15 years.

Image 1: Director Vance Studley and students working at Archetype Press, circa 1992. (2004.20.4170)
Image 2: Students selecting type, circa 1992. (2004.20.4167)
Image 3: A student working on the press, circa 1992. (2004.20.4168)
Image 4: Drawers of type, circa 1992 (2004.20.4166)
(All 1992 photography by Steven A. Heller)
Image 5: 40 Mills Place, Pasadena, CA, 2022 (© 2024 CoStar Group)

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Videos

ArtCenter Celebrates the 20th Anniversary of South Campus! Let's go...Beyond Supersonic! Festivities for the day include: the opening of our Mullin Transportation Design Center and the Mobility Experience Lab by Genesis, Hyundai & Kia; our annual Design Invitational car show; a student-run Art Market; and a special preview of IdentificarX, an exhibition celebrating ArtCenter’s Latine/x alumni community. And best of all...Archives and Special Collections will be open as well, displaying a selection from ArtCenter's historic collections! When: Saturday, June 8, 9 a.m.—3 p.m. Where: 870–950 S. Raymond Ave. + 1111 S. Arroyo Pkwy.

Archives Assistant

The thing I miss most working from home is our awesome student assistants. ArtCenter students, with their attention to detail and their creativity, make fantastic junior archivists. My new assistant Freya just isn't the same.