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John Cunningham (1904-2004) was an American painter, teacher, and director of the Carmel Art Institute in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, United States. In 1990, He became president emeritus and transferred the responsibility of the Carmel Art Institute to the Carmel Art Association.[1][2]
John James Cunningham | |
|---|---|
 Cunningham in 1927 | |
| Born | John James O'Farrell Cunningham April 5, 1904 |
| Died | January 22, 2004 (aged 99) |
| Education | University of California, Berkeley |
| Occupation(s) | Artist, teacher |
| Known for | Carmel Art Institute |
| Spouses | Patricia Stanley
(m. 1930; div. 1959)Patricia Ann Duncan Peterson
(m. 1961) |
| Children | 3 |
Early life and education
editCunningham was born on April 5, 1904, in New Jersey.[2] In 1923, he attended the Manhattan College for two years.[3]
While attending Berkeley, he met Patricia "Pat" Stanley (1907-1984).[4]
European influences
editFollowing graduation, in 1929 Cunningham received a traveling fellowship, enabling he and Pat to study with the same teachers as Hans Hofmann at the Schule für Bildende Kunst (School of Fine Art) in Munich, André Lhote at the Académie Notre-Dame des Champs in Paris, and Beniamino Bufano in Cagnes-sur-Mer, France.[2][5] In 1930 he exhibited his paintings in Munich. Bufano had a studio in southern France and taught Cunningham stone carving.[6][7]
Artistic career
editIn 1930, during the Great Depression, Cunningham and his wife Patricia returned from Paris to New York City. He worked as a decorator, created murals, for Gimbels and Macy's in New York City department stores. He also worked for Livingston Manor, New York, and the Firestone Winery in Los Olivos. This period of mural execution spanned from 1931 to 1933.[2]
In November 1932 he had a solo exhibition at the De Young Museum in San Francisco.[8][9]
From 1938 to 1939, he accepted a job of staff artist for the State of California Governor's Commission at the University of California for the Golden Gate International Exposition on Treasure Island in San Francisco.[1]
By 1940, the institute was holding six week summer classes outdoors, teaching figure and landscape painting.[10]
In September 1992, Cunningham organized an auction and benefit for the Blind Children's Center of Los Angeles, featuring his paintings, at Graystone Mission in Beverly Hills, California.[11]
Death and legacy
editOn January 22, 2004, Cunningham died at the age of 99 at Hospice House. His dedication to art, education, and community engagement earned him the title of President Emeritus of the Carmel Art Institute.[2][1]
References
edit- ^ a b c "John James Cunningham". Carmel Pine Cone. Carmel-by-the-Sea, California. January 30, 2004. p. 18. Retrieved August 12, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e "John Cunningham Obituary (2004) - CARMEL, CA - Monterey Herald". Legacy.com. Monterey Herald. January 27, 2004. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
- ^ "Manhattan College Holds Its Commencement At Fiedston". The Herald Statesman. Yonkers, New York. June 16, 1923. p. 2. Retrieved February 14, 2024.
- ^ "Oral history interview with Patricia Stanley Cunningham". Smithsonian Institution. July 28, 1964. Retrieved February 14, 2024.
- ^ "Art Institute In New Hands Now". Carmel Cymbal. April 18, 1941. Retrieved February 14, 2024.
- ^ Gilliam, Harold; Gilliam, Ann (1992). Creating Carmel: the enduring vision. Peregrine Smith Books. pp. 13, 154–155, 158, 232. ISBN 978-0-87905-397-0. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
- ^ Love, Richard H. (1983). The Sculpture of John Cunningham, Image, Space, Interval. Haase-Mumm Publishing Company. ISBN 9780940114159. Retrieved February 16, 2024.
- ^ "John Cunningham". Carmel Art Association. Carmel-by-the-Sea, California. Retrieved August 14, 2023.
- ^ "Paintings and Lithographs at Local Gallery". Oakland Tribune. Oakland, California. November 20, 1932. p. 18. Retrieved February 14, 2024.
- ^ "Carmel Art Institute". The Californian. Carmel-by-the-Sea, California. July 18, 1940. p. 16. Retrieved August 14, 2023.
- ^ "Art Aution". The Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles, California. September 27, 1992. p. 995. Retrieved February 14, 2024.