Saving WPA Pre-World War II Murals by Ross Dickinson From Demolition in Los Angeles

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Detail of scholars in Ross Dickinson’s History of the Written Word in the library of Thomas Jefferson High School – before conservation in 2023-2024

Ross Dickinson was from California and studied with Frank Tolles Chamberlin (1873–1961) at the Chouinard Art Institute in Los Angeles, where he became interested in mural painting. In 1926 Dickinson spent nine months in New York City studying with John Costigan at the Grand Central School of Art and Charles Hawthorne at the National Academy of Design; he also received a scholarship from the Tiffany Foundation. Dickinson returned to California later that year and studied at the Santa Barbara School of Fine Arts, where he received his first mural commission.

His painting style was well founded in “Modernism” or “Regionalism” that was so internationally prevalent as the “modern” style that was so popular. Though he was interested in murals, he was very productive with easel paintings, especially in this beginning artistic development in the 20’s and 30’s.  Years ago, FACL was the art and painting conservation team for working on the preservation and restoration of the estate of personal paintings that Ross Dickinson left to his family. William A. Karges Fine Art handled that estate in 1993 and hired us to collaborate.

But it was because of his mural abilities as an experienced and accomplished artist, Dickinson was vetted and chosen by the federal government’s Works Project Administration that was putting professional artists to work during the Depression.

Now, we have been chosen to save one of Ross Dicknson’s murals that he made under this federal program  during the Depression in 1937 that are located in the library of Thomas Jefferson High School in South Central Los Angeles. Here’s a link to the WPA “New Deal” mention of the murals: https://livingnewdeal.org/projects/thomas-jefferson-high-school-history-recorded-word-mural-los-angeles-ca/

Before Conservation of the HISTORY OF THE WRITTEN WORD by Ross Dickinson 1937

During the last two years, the pre-World War 2  era built high school in South Central Los Angeles, California has been working on a massive renovation (under the direction of the Los Angeles Unified School District – LAUSD). Preserving the “historic fabric” has been a major focus and the preservation of the WPA murals in the library from the massive demolitions and upgrading has been of special interest.

Working on the removed murals at Fine Art Conservation Laboratories. Once ready, the murals will be reinstalled back into the school’s library in their original location.

Fine Art Conservation Laboratories (FACL, Inc.) was vetted and chosen from among more than a dozen firms bidding for the contract for removing the murals, restoring them and then reinstalling them back into their original locations when the renovated library will be ready (maybe this October, 2024?). LAUSD pre-qualified FACL – Scott M. Haskins and the contract was awarded through the General Contractor, Kemp Brothers Construction Co.

During cleaning of a detail of Egyptians

Before and after cleaning

The oil on canvas murals glued to the walls with a lead based adhesive were removed last year and their preservation and restoration has been completed at FACL’s lab. The lab space is laid out and equipped for working on detached murals (10,000 sq. ft). At the moment, several other renown mural projects are under way, including another WPA project with murals from a library from San Pedro High School, in the Los Angeles, CA area.

Scott Haskins at San Pedro High School removing WPA murals by Tyrone Comfort before renovation

Questions about preserving and restoring public art murals? Call Scott M. Haskins or Virginia Panizzon at 805 564 3438 or gena.FACLbusinessManager@gmail.com See testimonials on other public works 

 

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Mural Conservation Treatments and Historic Preservation Studies Discover Important Italian Artwork and History In The Garda Lake Area

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About Scott M. Haskins

Scott Haskins has been in professional art conservation since 1975, specializing in the conservation/restoration of easel paintings, murals and art on paper. FACL, Inc. is known nationally for doing A+ work no matter the size or difficulty of the project. We are happy to do a quick cleaning on a family heirloom. Our client list and resume is also full of very satisfied clients of large, difficult/complicated projects at remote locations. Excellent services are also available as an Expert Witness/Legal Testimony in art related matters. Consultation on art related projects occur regularly including extensive insurance evaluations for insured or insurer. Services are offered worldwide. Scott M. Haskins is also author of the "Save Your Stuff" series, educational information, materials and supplies to help people protect and save their treasured family heirlooms and collectibles at home and office. He can be reached at 805 564 3438. Video and written testimonials at https://www.fineartconservationlab.com/testimonials/
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