Arthur Bridgman Clark (1866–1948) an American architect, printmaker, author, and professor, as well as the first mayor of
Mayfield,
California
California is a U.S. state, state in the Western United States, located along the West Coast of the United States, Pacific Coast. With nearly 39.2million residents across a total area of approximately , it is the List of states and territori ...
(1855–1925), and first head of Art and Architecture Department at
Stanford University
Stanford University, officially Leland Stanford Junior University, is a private research university in Stanford, California. The campus occupies , among the largest in the United States, and enrolls over 17,000 students. Stanford is consider ...
.
He taught classes at Stanford University from 1893 until 1931.
About
Clark was born August 11, 1866 in
Syracuse
Syracuse may refer to:
Places Italy
*Syracuse, Sicily, or spelled as ''Siracusa''
*Province of Syracuse
United States
*Syracuse, New York
**East Syracuse, New York
**North Syracuse, New York
*Syracuse, Indiana
* Syracuse, Kansas
*Syracuse, Miss ...
, New York.
He studied at
Syracuse University
Syracuse University (informally 'Cuse or SU) is a Private university, private research university in Syracuse, New York. Established in 1870 with roots in the Methodist Episcopal Church, the university has been nonsectarian since 1920. Locate ...
and earned a
Bachelor of Architecture degree in 1886, and a
Master of Arts
A Master of Arts ( la, Magister Artium or ''Artium Magister''; abbreviated MA, M.A., AM, or A.M.) is the holder of a master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The degree is usually contrasted with that of Master of Science. Tho ...
degree in 1891.
The same year, in 1891 he married Hanna Grace Birge of
Hector, New York.
From 1888–1889, he was the Director of State Schools and an instructor of trade school at
Elmira Reformatory
Elmira Correctional Facility, also known as "The Hill," is a maximum security state prison located in Chemung County, New York, in the City of Elmira. It is operated by the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. Th ...
.
He taught Architecture courses at Syracuse University between 1889–c.1892.
Clark and his wife studied painting with
William Merritt Chase
William Merritt Chase (November 1, 1849October 25, 1916) was an American painter, known as an exponent of Impressionism and as a teacher. He is also responsible for establishing the Chase School, which later would become Parsons School of Design. ...
in
Art Students League of New York
The Art Students League of New York is an art school at 215 West 57th Street in Manhattan, New York City, New York. The League has historically been known for its broad appeal to both amateurs and professional artists.
Although artists may stu ...
in 1898 and with
John Henry Twachtman and
James Whistler
James Abbott McNeill Whistler (; July 10, 1834July 17, 1903) was an American painter active during the American Gilded Age and based primarily in the United Kingdom. He eschewed sentimentality and moral allusion in painting and was a leading pr ...
in Paris.
Clark moved to California in 1892, settling in the
College Terrace neighborhood of Palo Alto.
He joined Stanford University 1893, during the early days of the school. He taught graphic design and art classes at Stanford University from 1893 until 1931, when he retired.
Students of Clark included artist
Jennie V. Cannon
Jennie Amelia Vennerström Cannon, also known as Jennie Vennerstrom Cannon (1869–1952), was an American artist who spent most of her career in California but gained national recognition. She received the first master's degree from the Art Depa ...
.
During the summers when Stanford University classes were out of session, Clark would work as a freelance architect in the Palo Alto-area designing private residencies.
In 1903, Clark spearheaded a movement to incorporate the town of Mayfield and was named the town's first mayor.
Mayfield was a town that bordered Stanford University and at the time was a popular destination for rowdy bars.
While serving as Mayor Clark banned bars from the town, which allowed the town to flourish and grow.
He later served as the chairman of the Planning Commission.
The town of Mayfield became part of Palo Alto on July 6, 1925.
Clark was a founder and a member of the Pacific Arts Association, and a member of the American Committee for the International Congress of Art Education, the Palo Alto Art Club (now known as
Pacific Art League
The Pacific Art League (PAL), formally known as the Palo Alto Art Club was founded in 1921 in Palo Alto, California and is a membership-run nonprofit arts organization, school, and gallery. The group is located in a historic building at 668 Ramon ...
), and
California Teachers Association
The California Teachers Association (CTA), initially established in 1863, is one of the largest and most powerful teachers' unions in the state with over 300,000 members and a high political profile in California politics. The teachers' union is ba ...
.
Clark died May 15, 1948 in Palo Alto, California and he is buried at
Alta Mesa Memorial Park
Alta Mesa Memorial Park is a non-denominational burial ground located in Palo Alto, Santa Clara County, California. It was established in 1904 as a 72-acre cemetery. It includes traditional burial plots, a mausoleum and a columbarium.
Notable b ...
.
Notable buildings by Arthur Bridgman Clark
Publications
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See also
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References
External links
Arthur Bridgman Clark Papersfrom Online Archive of California (OAC)
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Clark, Arthur Bridgman
1866 births
1948 deaths
Stanford University Department of Art and Art History faculty
Syracuse University School of Architecture alumni
Architects from California
People from Palo Alto, California
20th-century American printmakers
Writers from Syracuse, New York
Art Students League of New York alumni