Santa barbara school of the arts

DEFINITION

Reflecting a 1920s upsurge of cultural awareness in Santa Barbara, California, the school was founded by business persons as well as painters, sculptors, photographers, architects, composers and writers. Fernand Lungren, attending an organizing meeting in June 1920, served as President from the school's incorporation in January, 1921, until his death in 1932. Operating with the Board decision to focus solely on training artists, the school faculty was composed of some of California's leading artists including John Gamble, Albert Herter, Carl Oscar Borg, DeWitt Parshall, Colin Campbell Cooper, and Edward Borein. Stylistic leaning was to realism. The school struggled financially, although a Carnegie Grant saw it through its first years. However, the Depression and inability to get other supportive funding led to closing of the school in 1938. Its contribution continues because it was a major factor in the cultural enrichment of the community and led to the training of many successful artists. Source: Gloria Rexford Martin and Mildred Redmon, 'Santa Barbara School of the Arts, 1920-1938', "American Art Review", February 2010.