San Francisco County
Biographies
THE SINCLAIR
ART SCHOOL
One of the most popular institutions of its kind in the city of San Francisco is the Sinclair Art School, at 437 Turk street, the activities of which are confined to night classes, in order to provide training in art for young men and women who are employed in the daylight hours. This was the purpose underlying the establishment of the school. Only a few years old, it was founded by Irving Sinclair, and since the beginning has enjoyed a steady and well merited growth. The school quarters are situated in the down-town area, conveniently accessible to students who are employed in the business section. Proximity to city transportation lines is another desirable feature.
The course of instruction in the Sinclair Art School is individual in type. Any student may enter at any time, and personal training is given in every instance. Courses of study are given in elementary drawing, in life classes, in portraiture, and in drawing and painting from photographs. Commercial art is a featured course likewise, and the correct use of all mediums of art expression is taught. Application of drawings to advertising is likewise offered. Lectures are supplemented by actual class work, and there is also home work assigned for return the following week for discussion and criticism.
The faculty of the Sinclair Art School is composed of men of high capability in art, men who have studied in the best art schools of the United States and Europe and who have had years of experience in their vocation. Irving Sinclair, the founder, studied in the art schools of Canada and in the old Mark Hopkins Art School in San Francisco. Having returned to his old home, he engaged in portraiture and in this created for himself an outstanding reputation. His initial success in this branch of art led him to study further under some of the foremost portrait artists in Canada and the United States. The Famous-Players Canadian Corporation employed him as art director of the northern division of the Fox-West Coast Theatres, Incorporated. In this connection, he attained marked recognition in art circles, and especially worthy are the numerous portraits of theatrical and motion picture celebrities which he has executed. Mr. Sinclair gives supervision to the entire instruction of the school, with special attention to the life and portrait classes.
Hal Heath, another member of the faculty of the Sinclair Art School, specializes in the portrayal of the human figure, in which phase of art work he is a recognized authority. He has studied in many of the leading European art schools, and has had extensive experience as a teacher. He instructs students in the elementary drawing class and those in the life class.
Ray Bethers, a recognized artist in the advertising field, has charge of the instruction in commercial art. He has had extensive study and experience in European and American art schools, and has had the advantage of special instruction under such men at George Bridgeman and Pruett Carter. He was designer for the General Outdoor Advertising Company of New York, and is now a designer for the Foster & Kleiser Company, also does much free lance work.
Leo S. McKey, who is the efficient manager of the Sinclair Art School, is himself an artist of real ability, a native son of San Francisco, and has created a creditable reputation for himself in his home city.
Transcribed by: Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
Source: Byington, Lewis Francis, “History of
San Francisco 3 Vols”, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co.,
Chicago, 1931. Vol. 3 Pages 306-308.
© 2008 Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
GOLDEN NUGGET'S SAN
FRANCISCO BIOGRAPIES