CLAREMONT MODERN: The Artists of the GI Bill

In 2010, inspired by the Getty Foundation's Pacific Standard Time celebration, Claremont Heritage and the Claremont Museum of Art formed a partnership to produce CLAREMONT MODERN, a series of four exhibitions in the Claremont Heritage Ginger Elliott Exhibition Space.

The third in our series, CLAREMONT MODERN: The Artists of the GI Bill will examine the impact of the GI Bill on the Claremont art community.

Opening reception Friday, February 17 from 6:30- 9pm
Exhibition: Open noon-5pm, Wednesday-Sunday, February 17-26
Location: Claremont Heritage Ginger Elliott Exhibition Space,
850 N. Indian Hill Blvd., Claremont

Millard Sheets was Chair of the Scripps Art Department 1931-1954. Scripps College Photo Archive.

As soldiers returned from WWII, the opportunity to study art was made possible by funding from the GI Bill. Some came to the Pomona College Art Department and stayed on. Millard Sheets developed the Graduate School Masters of Fine Art program in 1943-44 and admitted many talented GIs to study with art professors on the Scripps campus. These young men were older, more experienced with a focus and determination to pursue careers in art. The vision of Millard Sheets combined with the enthusiast energy of these GIs transformed Claremont into a vibrant art center at mid-century.

The Exhibition CLAREMONT MODERN: The Artists of the GI Bill will focus on a pivotal point in the history of the Claremont art community from 1945-1960. It will feature Claremont area artists who served in WWII, returned to study art with funding from the GI Bill and pursued a lifetime career in the arts.

It will include works by Karl Benjamin, Paul Darrow, Rupert Deese, Carl Hertel, James Hueter, Anthony Ivins, Roger Kuntz, Doug McClellan, Harrison McIntosh, David Scott, Paul Soldner, John Svenson and Melvin Wood. The Exhibition will be displayed for eight days in the Claremont Heritage Ginger Elliott Exhibition Space located in Memorial Park behind the Garner House.

Karl Benjamin. served in the Navy from 1943-45.	Karl Benjamin, Untitled, Oil on Masonite, 1954.
John Svenson, Army Air Corps 1942. served as a mechanic/flight engineer in North Africa.	John Svenson, Crab with Starfish, English Walnut, created in the 1950s and completed in 2004.
James Hueter on bivouac with the Army in southern Arizona in 1943.	James Hueter, Eyes, Nose and Re-Bar, Mixed Media, 1973.
Harrison McIntosh in his Army uniform with a family member, c.1942.	Harrison McIntosh, Bottle Vase, Stoneware, 1961

Claremont Modern: Design Blends with Art in New Public Spaces 1955-1965

April 2012

Claremont United Church of Christ was designed by Millard Sheets and features work by many Claremont artists.

Our final exhibition will show how Modern design flourished in local non-residential buildings from 1955-1965.

Many public buildings designed by Millard Sheets incorporated the work of Claremont artists and craftsmen. The Congregational Church, Garrison Theater and Pomona First Federal Bank all feature artwork by local artists such as Jean and Arthur Ames, Sue Hertel, John Svenson and Martha Underwood. Harvey Mudd College and the School of Theology were both designed by Edward Durrell Stone and the stunning chapel is furnished with the work of Sam Maloof.

Other PST exhibitions will include many Claremont artists. For other exhibitions, click here.

Download an extended listing of PST Exhibitions with Claremont connections.

For a full list of PST exhibitions go to http://pacificstandardtime.org/exhibitions.