Millard Owen Sheets (June 24, 1907 – March 31, 1989) was an American artist, teacher, and architectural designer. He was one of the earliest of the California Scene Painting artists and helped define the art movement. Many of his large-scale building-mounted mosaics from the mid-20th century are still extant in Southern California. His paintings are in the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Whitney Museum in New York, the Chicago Art Institute, the National Gallery in Washington D.C.; and the Los Angeles County Museum.
33-560: Millard Sheets was born June 24, 1907, and grew up in the Pomona Valley , east of Los Angeles . He is the son of John Sheets. He attended the Chouinard Art Institute and studied with painters Frank Tolles Chamberlin and Clarence Hinkle . While he was still a teenager, his watercolors were accepted for exhibition in the annual California Water Color Society show. By the age of 19, he was elected into membership of
66-544: A ceramics department was created, headed by Peter Voulkos . During that time, a ceramics building, gallery, library, and studio wing were completed. By the time Sheets left Otis in 1962, the form and direction of the college had changed dramatically. The Millard Sheets Art Center first began as the Fine Arts Program of the Los Angeles County Fair in 1922. The 20,000+ square-foot art center
99-591: A city in the north west of the valley is very diverse, with large groups of Hispanics, Whites, Asians, and Blacks. The Pomona Valley is served by several freeways: In Claremont, Mt. Baldy Road leads into the Mt. Baldy Ski Lifts of Mount San Antonio in the San Gabriel Mountains. 34°04′34″N 117°39′25″W / 34.076°N 117.657°W / 34.076; -117.657 Otis College of Art and Design Otis College of Art and Design
132-779: A color reproduction of his work in the book Eyes on America . In 1935 at age 28, he was the subject of a monograph published in Los Angeles. In 1943, he painted four murals at the Main Interior Building in Washington, D.C. in the subject of “The Negro’s Contribution in the Social and Cultural Development of America.” His art sales enabled him to travel again to Europe , Central America , and Hawaii , where he painted on location. Although his watercolor techniques during this period ranged from very tight to very loose,
165-607: A consistent, he nevertheless exhibited a personal style. During World War II, he was an artist-correspondent for Life and the United States Army Air Forces in India and Burma . Many of his works from this period document the scenes of famine, war, and death that he witnessed. His wartime experience also informed his post-war art for a number of years, where while painting in California and Mexico in
198-596: A division of the New School for Social Research). This affiliation allowed students to spend a semester or more at the Parsons schools in New York and Paris. In summer 1991, it became independent again and known as Otis College of Art and Design. As of 2005, it is one of the most culturally diverse private schools of art and design in the country. In 2022, the college received the largest donation in its history from
231-634: Is a private art and design school in Los Angeles, California , United States. Established in 1918, it was the city's first independent professional school of art. The main campus is located in the former IBM Aerospace headquarters at 9045 Lincoln Boulevard in Westchester, Los Angeles . The school's programs, accredited by the WSCUC and National Association of Schools of Art and Design , include BFA and MFA degrees. Otis, long considered one of
264-584: Is approximately 30 miles (48 km) east of downtown Los Angeles . The earliest inhabitants of Pomona Valley were the Gabrielino (Tongva) and Serrano Indians. On March 1, 1893 the California Assembly voted 54–14 for a new county to form in the region, to be named San Antonio County, with Pomona as its seat. Los Angeles interests in the Senate rejected the concept, however, and today
297-556: Is currently a part of The Learning Centers at Fairplex. In the late 1950s, Sheets was commissioned by Howard F. Ahmanson to design Home Savings Bank branches throughout Southern California that would serve as community landmarks by expressing "community values" or presenting "a celebratory version of the community history." To accomplish this goal, Sheets designed his branch buildings with exterior façades containing large mosaic works depicting local heritage. The Ahmanson commissions multiplied to include more than 80 branch buildings after
330-488: Is much smaller. Northern areas of the valley that contain the cities of Claremont , La Verne , and Upland have large Caucasian populations. Central portions of the valley that contain the cities of Pomona , Montclair , Chino , and Ontario have large Hispanic populations. Southern portions of the Pomona Valley such as Chino Hills , and Ontario Ranch contain rather large Asian populations. Rancho Cucamonga ,
363-524: The California Arts Preservation Act , many have been destroyed. According to researcher Adam Arenson, there were 168 Home Savings of America locations with some kind of Millard Sheets design contribution (including signage). However over time many of the mosaic murals have been removed from the facade of the buildings; some of which have been relocated to museums. Mosaic murals, bronze sculptures, and stained glass designed by
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#1732773329056396-921: The Detroit Public Library , the Mayo Clinic , the dome of the National Shrine , the University of Notre Dame library, the Hilton Hotel in Honolulu , and the Mercantile National Bank in Dallas. In 1953, Sheets was appointed director of Otis Art Institute (later named Otis College of Art and Design ). Under his leadership, the school's academic program was restructured to offer BFA and MFA degrees, and
429-438: The 1940s his work followed dark hues and depressing subjects. After the 1950s his style shifted toward brighter colors and subjects from his worldwide travels. Watercolor and oil painting were only part of Sheets's art career. Through his teaching at Chouinard Art Institute , Otis Art Institute , Scripps College and other institutions, hundreds of artists learned how to paint, and were then guided into art careers. He directed
462-731: The California Water Color Society. The following year he was hired to teach watercolor painting even before his graduation from Chouinard. In May 1927, Sheets exhibited twelve of his landscapes and seascapes oil paintings at the Ebell Club in Pomona. In 1929 he won second prize in the Texas Wildflowers Competitive Exhibitions, and the generous award allowed Sheets to travel to Europe for a year to further his art education. By
495-675: The Fine Arts department, was designed by Fredrick Fisher and built in 2001. A ceramics school was begun by Peter Voulkos at Otis in the 1950s and was part of art movements like the Craft-to-Art movement, also known as the American Clay Revolution , which influenced the Ferus Gallery scene of the 1960s. Many prominent artists associated with Southern California's Light and Space movement were involved with
528-724: The Jurupa Hills and the Cajon Pass, (the eastern end of the San Gabriel Mountains ) running near Interstate 15 , which separates the Pomona Valley from the San Bernardino Valley . The northern boundary is the San Gabriel Mountains . The Chino Hills are the southern boundary that separates the Pomona Valley from northern Orange County. Historic U.S. Route 66 runs east-west across the north side of Pomona Valley. San Antonio Creek runs right through
561-752: The Sheets Studio were placed at scores of bank branches throughout California. The art's highly localized themes made them community landmarks for many neighborhoods and cities. Sheets died on March 31, 1989, at his home in Anchor Bay in Mendocino County, California , after a long illness. A service was held at his home and at the First Unitarian Church of San Diego. Sheets had four children. His youngest son, Tony Sheets, has worked in restoring his father's murals, including
594-638: The Spiegel Family Fund, which was founded by CEO of Snapchat (Snap Inc.), Evan Spiegel . The donation paid off the debt of the graduating class, 77% of whom identify as people of color. The president of Otis College is Charles Hirschhorn , since June 2020. Otis is known for its digital media programs. In 2024, Animation Career Review ranked its animation program #22 in the United States, and in 2023, #8 in California. In 2023, it also ranked Otis as #13 for visual effects programs in
627-419: The United States, and #10 in California for Game Design. Otis is also known for its fine arts programs. In 2023, Animation Career Review ranked its graphic design program as #21 in the United States, and #4 in California. In 2024, Animation Career Review also ranked its Illustration program as #15 in the United States, and #3 in California. Finally, it is known for its fashion design program. Under
660-717: The art exhibition at the Los Angeles County Fair for many years and brought world-class work to Southern California. During the Great Depression , he joined forces with Edward Bruce to hire artists for the Public Works of Art Project , the first New Deal art project. In 1946, he served as a president of the California Water Color Society . In later years, he worked as an architect, illustrator, muralist, printmaker, and art exhibition juror. Outside of California, he took on commissions for
693-482: The center of the valley dividing the valley into west and east, and also acts as a section of the border between Los Angeles County and San Bernardino County . It originates from the San Gabriel Mountains watershed around Mount San Antonio (known locally as Mt. Baldy) and joins the Santa Ana River south of Chino. The Pomona Valley ranges from the city of San Dimas from the far west to Rancho Cucamonga to
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#1732773329056726-809: The direction of Rosemary Brantley , this program is considered one of the top fashion design programs of its kind in the U.S. Otis Fashion Design is housed at the California Market Center in downtown Los Angeles. Students benefit from working closely with design mentors and are trained in all aspects of the design process while emulating a fashion design studio, and following the industry's seasonal schedule. Visiting critics have included designers such as Bob Mackie , Francisco Costa for Calvin Klein , Vera Wang , Diane von Fürstenberg , Isabel Toledo , Isaac Mizrahi , and Todd Oldham . Major designers such as Eduardo Lucero and Rick Owens are alumni of
759-723: The early 1930s he began to achieve national recognition as a prominent American artist. He was exhibiting in Paris , New York City , Pittsburgh , Chicago , Houston , St. Louis , San Antonio , San Francisco , Washington D.C. , Baltimore , and many other cities throughout the United States. In Los Angeles he was recognized as the leading figure and driving force behind the California Style watercolor movement. Between 1935 and 1941, his recognition, awards, and output increased, winning him repeated mention in Art Digest and
792-530: The eastern and western portions of the valley remain divided between San Bernardino and Los Angeles counties (San Antonio Creek). The alluvial valley is formed by the Santa Ana River and its tributaries. The Pomona Valley is separated from San Gabriel Valley to the west by the northeastern end of the San Jose Hills , running approximately along State Route 57 . The eastern boundaries are
825-491: The far east portion of the valley. The Pomona Valley experiences a Mediterranean Climate . In contrast to much of the Greater Los Angeles Area , The Pomona Valley can get much hotter summers with high temperatures ranging from the triple digits. Due to its elevation ranging from 800 to 2200 feet, winters in the Pomona Valley can also get cold. Trace amounts of snowfall can occur anywhere above 1500 feet. On
858-484: The initial 1955 commission. Sheets resigned his teaching position at Scripps College and established the Sheets Studio in Claremont , California, employing a series of artists. Sheets produced these untitled mosaics as commercial commissions that are considered official public art , and in the absence of a formal Sheets Studio title they are titled by their images or theme. Although they enjoy some protections under
891-663: The major art institutions in California, began in 1918, when Los Angeles Times founder Harrison Gray Otis bequeathed his Westlake, Los Angeles , property to start the first public, independent professional school of art in Southern California. The current Otis College main campus (since spring 1997) is located in the Westchester area of Los Angeles, close to the Los Angeles International Airport . The main building (built in 1963)
924-708: The mural in San Jose, California. The Paul Bockhorst documentary film, “Design for Modern Living: Millard Sheets and the Claremont Art Community 1935–1975” (2015) was released posthumous. The following are awards Sheets won, among others: Pomona Valley The Pomona Valley is located in the Greater Los Angeles Area between the San Gabriel Valley and San Bernardino Valley in Southern California . The valley
957-693: The program. Originally located in MacArthur Park , the Ben Maltz Gallery is currently located in Westchester, tucked inside the Otis College of Art in Design. The Ben Maltz Gallery showcases regional and international artists within the LA art community. The film Art School Confidential (2006) was partially filmed at Otis. Otis Foundation Professor Gary Geraths worked as a consultant on
990-451: The school, as well as leaders of the conceptual art world of the 1970s. Moreover, Otis nurtured significant Latino artists, including Marisol Escobar , and the mural group Los Four also originated at Otis in the 1970s. The school was originally named Otis Art Institute . From 1978 until 1991, it was affiliated with New York's Parsons School of Design and known as Otis–Parsons (full name: Otis Art Institute of Parsons School of Design ,
1023-471: The valley floor, average rainfall amounts range anywhere from 12 to 16 inches. Foothill communities can get anywhere from 14 to 18 inches of rain a year. In the fall (fire season), Santa Ana Winds can occur giving strong offshore winds from the Cajon Pass . The residents of the Pomona Valley are predominantly Latino and White . In contrast to the San Gabriel Valley , the population of Asian Americans
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1056-657: Was built in 1937 by the Works Progress Administration to house the program, the first major gallery dedicated solely to art in Los Angeles County. Each year, the gallery provided visitors to the Los Angeles County Fair with access to art work found throughout the world. In 1994 the building was dedicated to Millard Sheets, and in 2013 was identified by Fairplex as the home for year-round art education and exhibitions and
1089-415: Was designed by architect Eliot Noyes for IBM, and is famous for its computer " punched card " style windows. However, Otis would not live to see the college's grand opening as he died the previous year in 1917. The building was extensively remodeled in 1997 by the college when it moved from its original location across the street from MacArthur Park near downtown Los Angeles. The Galef Center, made for
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