#parsonsschoolofdesign

in the studio

We’re celebrating Mardi Gras, 1960 style, when that celebration fell in March. Why this throwback? Because we recently had a chance to digitize some films from our University Archives audiovisual holdings, three films associated with the Francis A. Ruzicka papers  http://sclfind.libs.uga.edu/sclfind/view?docId=ead/UA17-018.xml;query=UA17-018;brand=default

Francis A. Ruzicka was the chair of UGA’s Department of Art from 1976-1993. Before he came to UGA, he was chairman of the Department of Art at Ohio State University, and before that, he was President of the Parsons School of Design.  See more on his career and his works from this Georgia Museum of Art pamphlet, “Eight Paintings, 1951-1962.”  The three films are labeled “Parsons School of Design - Park Sheraton 3/3/60″, “Dance 1962″ and “Film of graduate activities at OSU 1969.”  The 1960 film can had a professional photo studio label on it (shown above).

With that label, I anticipated a professionally made 16mm film, but knowing that films don’t always get back into their proper cans, I couldn’t be sure of what I’d see. What showed up was a really fabulous party, filmed beautifully in Kodachrome, showing people in formal wear and in stunning and creative costumes, dancing and drinking, with many of them posing in what looks like a ‘best costume’ contest in front of the ball’s band. I was delighted by the excellent condition of the film and the quality of the Kodachrome, still as vivid as it was in 1960. The tail credit confirmed the film can’s information:

Watch this wonderful film now on our website:  https://bmac.libs.uga.edu/pawtucket2/index.php/Detail/objects/409175

But what exactly was the event? I got in touch with a librarian at The New School (encompassing Parsons) who put me in touch with archivist Jenny Swadosh, who knew right away that it must have been the 1960 Mardi Gras Ball, of which they have no documentation for that year.  We both got very excited about this film and each did some research to bring you more details. 

While Jenny looked into the Parsons School records, I looked online to find out more about Valeché Studios. Thanks to digitized newspapers, there are a number of photos online with a Valeché or Valeché Studios credit line, as well as some portraits with his mark on the backs:

Felix Valeché (1881-1965) and his brother Harry were living with their sister Josephine and brother-in-law, Israel Jackson, a photographer, when the 1900 federal census was made. By the 1905 New York state census, Felix is listed as a photographer. He married in 1909 and in the 1910 census is listed with his wife and son, Maxwell, who eventually joined his father's business. Based on the number of images in New York newspapers online, they were very busy in Brooklyn as portrait and wedding photographers, as well as documenting other special events through at least 1970. Copies of the Mardi Gras Ball film were probably made available for purchase from Valeché by the ball's attendees, which may be how this film got into Frank Ruzicka’s hands.

Please jump over to Jenny’s blog post for some great information about Parsons student life and the history of their Mardi Gras ball: http://newschoolhistories.org/nsarchives/mardi-gras-a-forgotten-parsons-school-of-design-tradition/   I’ve had fun getting to work with her and learn more about Parsons in the 1960s.

And if you know something about the 1960 Parsons Mardi Gras Ball or about Valeché Studios, especially if more of their films are extant, please let us know!