2000.1.1285

8-Oct-40
13.75 in HIGH x 10.75 in WIDE
(34.92 cm HIGH x 27.30 cm WIDE)
The Oakland Tribune Collection, the Oakland Museum of California. Gift of ANG Newspapers
2000.1.1285


A typewritten notation attached to the back of this two-section photo reads "Lulu Hawkins Braghetta teaches wood carving at Oaklland's California College of Arts and crafts." In the photo, Ms. Braghetta is working at her bench, looking directly into the camera. She is at work on one of her wood sculptures, a standing nude female figure mounted on a wooden block base. She is holding a chisel in both hands. An array of other chisels is on her work bench at left bottom. HISTORY GUILD NEWS August & September 1995 California College of Arts and Crafts Where Art and History Meet Alexandra Gautraud- Editor About 1879, William Elmer Hale, who later became sheriff of Alameda County and warden of San Quentin, bought a five-acre parcel of land from Vicente Peralta that later included today's California College of Arts and Craft's campus. For years he grumbled about the $500 price. There is no known record of when Hale built a house on the hill overlooking Broadway or who drew up the plans. After a succession of owners the property was finally purchased by James Treadwell who with his brother John had founded the fabulous Alaska Treadwell Mining Company of Juneau. The brothers had taken millions out of their mining operation before they decided to sell their holdings and return to the more temperate climate of San Francisco. In 1923 Frederick H. Meyer acquired the property and buildings for $60,000 as a new location for his School of Arts & Crafts, which had been housed on a small Berkeley Campus. Conversion of the mansion and surrounding buildings began immediately. The then deteriorating estate was overgrown with weeds and in desperate need of repair. Meyer, besides being an art historian and teacher, was a horticulturist and landscaped the campus by adding many plant varieties that survive to this day. Slowly the house and grounds regained their former luster as students, faculty and alumni shouldered the responsibility for restorations. Meyer and a group of students painstakingly moved the carriage house uphill to a new location. The relocated carriage house has served generations of students and today contains classrooms and a drawing studio. During the period from 1922 to 1926, students walked or took the trolley between the Berkeley campus and the new Oakland quarters. Classes were held on the lower floors of the mansion, while Frederick Meyer, his wife Laetitia and daughter Babs took up residence on the third floor. Outstanding among the early faculty were Perham W. Nahl, Isabelle Percy West and Xavier Mrtinez, each of whom taught 15 hours a week for the meager salary of $50 per month. Another early faculty member and second president of the college was Eric Spencer Macky, who was honored on Founder's Day 1975 when the Treadwell mansion was named Macky Hall. Macky began his association with the California College of Arts and Crafts in1913 before the school moved to its present location. Macky's students included such well-known personages as architect Timothy Pflueger, illustrator Howard Brodie, painter Howard Atherton and the famous Mexican muralist Orozco. Macky played a significant role in the promotion of art in the Bay Area until his death in 1958. The college has produced artists and designers who have had an impact on the contemporary art movement. Robert Arneson and Peter Voulkos were primary leaders of the "Ceramics Revolution" which brought the acceptance of ceramics as a fine art. Also from the college are artists Richard Diebenkorn, Nathan Oliveira, Manel Neri, Viola Frey, Louis Siegriest, Philip Morsberger and Raymond Saunders, all of whom have placed their mark on our culture. The College of Arts and Crafts is located at 5212 Broadway. Macky Hall, the Treadwell mansion, which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and serves as the administrative offices for the gardens, the Good n'Plenty Caf_ and the college art gallery are open to the public.

Used: Oakland Tribune

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