Skip to main content

John Outterbridge papers, 1953-1997

Share page with AddThis

Contents and Arrangement

This collection is arranged as 9 series.

Make a Request

  • To request an appointment to view materials, make your selections using the checkboxes and click the "Reading Room" button. Please note, you will receive the full box.
  • To request reproductions, make your selections using the checkboxes and click the "Reproduction" button.

Series 1: Biographical Material , 1953-1997
0.7 Linear feet
Box 1, OV 6, FC 9

Biographical material includes life documents, numerous award and honors, business cards, interview transcripts, retirement information, a few drawings, one motion picture film reel about John Outterbridge, and other miscellaneous materials.
Description Container Select
Award Certificates and Honors
Bennett College Award, 1993
1
1
City of Los Angeles Certificates of Appreciation, 1980-1995
Oversized certificates housed in OV 6.
1
2
Malcolm X Freedom Awards Banquet, 1990
1
3
Museum of African American Art Benefit, 1988
1
4
Otis College Honorary Doctorate, 1994
Oversized material housed in OV 6.
1
5
United Negro College Fund Award, 1986
1
6
"Universal Declaration of Human Rights" Certificate of Recognition, 1994
1
7
Watts Branch NAACP Certificate of Appreciation, 1992
1
8
Watts Cultural Crescent Advisory Committee Certificates, 1991-1992
1
9
Western Region NAACP 14th Annual ACT-SO Luncheon Honoree, 1993
1
10
Miscellaneous Certificates of Appreciation, 1981-1993
Oversized material housed in OV 6.
1
11
Birth Certificate Photocopy, 1953
1
12
Business Cards, circa 1970-1997
1
13-14
Contract for Archives of American Art Oral History Program, 1994
1
15
Interview Transcripts
Group Interview of Dale Davis, Cecil Ferguson, and John Outterbridge, 1994
1
16
UCLA Oral History Program Interview of John Outterbridge, 1989
1
17-22
John Outterbridge: Black Artist, circa 1985
Motion picture film stored separately in film can numbered FC 9.
1
23
Marriage and Divorce Certificates, 1960-1990
1
24
Military Service Records, 1953-1961
1
25
Memorial Service for Curtis E. Tann, 1992
1
26
Miscellaneous Receipts, 1979-1992
1
27
Original Drawings and Reproductions, 1978-1980
1
28
Passport and Visa Applications, 1986-1994
1
29
Retirement Letter and Commendation from LA County, 1992
1
30
Shipping Receipts for Art Loans, 1993-1997
1
31
Teaching Certificates, 1970-1991
1
32
Oversized City of Los Angeles Certificates from Box 1, Folder 2, 1980-1995
OV 6
Oversized Otis College Degree from Box 1, Folder 5, 1994
OV 6
Oversized Miscellaneous Certificates from Box 1, Folder 11, 1981-1993
OV 6
Motion Picture Film Reel of John Outterbridge: Black Artist from Box 1, Folder 23, circa 1985
FC 9
Back to Top

Series 2: Correspondence , 1970-1997
1.1 Linear feet
Boxes 1-2, OV 7

Correspondence is from family, artists, friends, colleagues, museums, galleries, and universities. The topics covered include exhibition arrangements, travel, teaching, and programs and activities related to arts administration. Notable correspondents include Maya Angelou, Johnny Otis, Jere Van Syoc, and Charles White. Many named folders only include one or two letters.
Description Container Select
Family and Personal Correspondence, 1970-1987
1
33
Family and Personal Correspondence, 1990-1997
1
34
29 Art, 1997
1
35
African Market Place and Cultural Faire, 1993
1
36
Alkebu-Lan Cultural Center, 1992
1
37
Angelou, Maya, 1994
1
38
Arizona State University, 1988
1
39
Armory Center for the Arts, 1994-1995
1
40
The Arts Company, 1993-1994
1
41
Barkin, Ben, 1984
1
42
Barkin, Coleman, 1996
1
43
Beverly Hills (City of), 1992-1993
1
44
Bhalla, Hans, 1971
1
45
Bowman, Judith, 1983
1
46
Brockman Gallery, 1976
1
47
Brookes, Mona, 1982
1
48
Brown, David Beck, 1992-1993
1
49
Brown, David G., 1993-1995
1
50
Build Crenshaw Arts, 1993
1
51
California Afro-American Museum, 1988-1996
1
52
California Institute of the Arts, 1993
1
53
California International Arts Foundation, 1993-1994
1
54
California State University - Dominguez Hills, 1988
1
55
California State University - Northridge, 1991
1
56
Center for the Study of Political Graphics, 1991
1
57
Chambers, Eddie, 1989
1
58
Community Arts Resources, Inc., 1994
1
59
Community Redevelopment Agency, 1991-1995
1
60
Craft and Folk Art Museum, 1991-1995
1
61
Crystal Stairs, Inc., 1994
1
62
Dawson, Robert G., 1991
1
63
El Camino College, 1995-1997
1
64
Ehrlich, Susan, 1994-1996
1
65
ES 96 Tijuana, 1995
1
66
Exhibitionists Inc., 1984
1
67
Fellows of Contemporary Art, 1991-1995
1
68
Foundation for Cultural Arts and the Media, 1988
1
69
Freeman, Verla J., 1992
1
70
Getty Center for the History of Art and the Humanities, 1992-1996
1
71
Goldman, Shifra, 1991
1
72
Goldstone, N. J., 1993
1
73
The Great Circus Parade, Inc., 1996
1
74
Griffin, Alicia, 1993
1
75
Hartman and Company, 1994
1
76
Hebrew Union College, 1993
1
77
Herbert Ryman Living Masters Program, 1991
1
78
Homowa Foundation for African Arts and Cultures, 1992
1
79
Hopkins, Henry, 1991
1
80
Jacques, Truman, 1984
1
81
Karlstrom, Paul, circa 1996
Includes 2 photographs of John Outterbridge and Diane Hall
1
82
KCET "Life and Times" Program, 1993
1
83
KLCS TV station, 1991
1
84
KM Machine Fabricating, Inc., 1981
1
85
KPAS Artbeats Show, 1991
1
86
Lila Wallace Reader's Digest, 1993
1
87
LeFalle-Collins, Lizzetta, 1993-1995
1
88
Le Gendre, Conchita, 1995
1
89
Letters of Appreciation from Children at 96th Street School, 1993
1
90
Letters of Appreciation from Children at Hancock Park School, 1995
1
91
Letters of Appreciation from Children of Unidentified School, 1996
1
92
Letters of Appreciation from Children of Unidentified School, circa 1996
1
93
Lew Allen Gallery, 1993
2
1
Lincoln Center for the Performance Arts, 1995-1996
2
2
Lindsey, Kay, 1990-1991
2
3
Locke High School Academy of Visual and Performing Arts, 1997
2
4
Los Angeles (City of), 1978-1997
2
5
Los Angeles Artcore Center, 1995
2
6
Los Angeles City Council, circa 1978
Oversized "visual letter" to Los Angeles City Council protesting art funding cuts housed in OV 7.
2
7
Los Angeles Consortium on African and African-American Art, 1995
2
8
Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 1993-1996
2
9
Los Angeles Junior Chamber of Commerce, circa 1990-1997
2
10
Los Angeles Philharmonic Association, 1991-1992
2
11
Los Angeles Times, 1992
2
12
Majority People's Fund for the 21st Century, 1992-1994
2
13
Marquette University, 1992-1993
2
14
Marshall, Howard, Jr., 1992
2
15
Matshidiso, Daniel, 1987
2
16
McDonald, Cat, 1991
2
17
Media Associates, 1979
2
18
Memphis College of Art, 1994
2
19
Merging One Gallery, 1996
2
20
Museum of Contemporary Art, 1991-1997
2
21
National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center, 1991-1993
2
22
National Civil Rights Museum, 1996
2
23
National Endowment for the Arts, 1994-1996
2
24
New Art Examiner, 1991
2
25
Odie, 1997
2
26
Ohland, Gloria, 1991
2
27
Otis, Johnny, 1994
2
28
Otis School of Art and Design, 1993-1997
2
29
Pasadena (City of), 1992
2
30
Pasadena Robinson Memorial, 1996
2
31
Pittsburgh Children's Museum, 1992
2
32
Plaza Dela Raza Cultural Center for Arts Education, 1984
2
33
Porter Troupe Gallery, circa 1995
2
34
President's Committee on Arts and Humanities, 1984
2
35
Project Row Houses, 1996
2
36
Public Art: Realities, Theories, and Issues (PARTI), 1993
2
37
Reaves, Sandi Rodia, 1992
2
38
Ross, Kenneth, 1996
2
39
San Antonio Art Institute, 1990
2
40
Santa Monica Museum of Art, 1992-1995
2
41
Side Street Projects, 1993-1996
2
42
Skirball Museum, 1995-1997
2
43
Social and Public Art Resource Center, 1991-1996
2
44
Southern California Women's Caucus for Art, 1996
2
45
Spirit Square Center for Arts Education, 1996-1997
2
46
Star News, 1986
2
47
St. James Press, 1996
2
48
Studio Museum in Harlem, 1995
2
49
Taft College, 1993-1994
2
50
Teasley, Lisa, 1992-1995
2
51
United Negro College Fund, 1991
2
52
University of California Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Art Gallery, 1988
2
53
University of California Los Angeles Oral History, 1990-1994
2
54
University of Southern California Fisher Gallery, 1986
2
55
University of Southern California School of Fine Arts, 1994
2
56
Urban Innovations Group, 1993
2
57
Van Syoc, Jere, 1986
2
58
Venue Marketing, 1988
2
59
Vernacular Magazine, 1992-1993
2
60
Volunteer Center for Los Angeles, 1991
2
61
Waddy, Ruth G., 1980
2
62
Walker, Dana E., 1990
2
63
Waste Management of North America, 1992
2
64
Watts-Century Latino Organization, 1993-1996
2
65
Watts Health Foundation, Inc., 1991
2
66
Watts Labor Community Action Committee, 1996
2
67
Western Carolina University Art Department, 1993-1995
2
68
White, Charles, circa 1970
2
69
Zorthian, Jirayr, circa 1983
2
70
Chronological Letters, 1971-1979
2
71
Chronological Letters, 1990-1997
2
72-76
Miscellaneous Undated Letters, circa 1980-circa 1996
2
77
Oversized Los Angeles City Council letter from Box 2, Folder 7, circa 1978
OV 7
Back to Top

Series 3: Writings , circa 1980-1996
0.2 Linear feet
Box 2

There are teaching notes and an artist statement by John Outterbridge, as well as typescript drafts of articles. There are also a few student papers and poems written by others.
Description Container Select
John Outterbridge's African-American Art History Notes, circa 1980
2
78
John Outterbridge's Artist Statement, circa 1990
2
79
Essays and Articles
"Artist as Alien: The End of Censorship in the Visual Arts in Los Angeles, 1951-1966" by Richard Candida Smith, 1990
2
80
"Catfish and Coltrane: A Conversation on Making a Homesite" by Peter Tolkin and Mabel Wilson, circa 1995
2
81
"Double Voiced Assemblage: The Art and Architecture of John Outterbridge" by Mabel O. Wilson, 1996
2
82
"From the Rose Parade's Queen to Marilyn Monro's Curves" by Nora Halpern Brougher, circa 1990
2
83
"John Outterbridge: Poetic Gestures" by Lizzetta LeFalle-Collins, 1993
2
84
"John Outterbridge: A Retrospective Keeper of Traditions" by anonymous, circa 1993
2
85
"Lamentations: Visual Analysis for an Ethical Approach to Contemporary Issues" by Noreen Dean Dresser, 1994
2
86
"The Poetics of Politics, Iconography and Spirituality" by Lizzetta LeFalle-Collins, 1994
2
87
"The Sankota Diary of a Cultural Worker" by Greg Angaza Pitts, circa 1993
2
88
Student Papers
"The City of Watts: 1907-1926" by MaryEllen James Ray, 1985
2
89
"John Outterbridge" by Lori Hitselberger, 1996
2
90
"John W. Outterbridge" by Brian McDougal, 1995
2
91
Poems by Various Writers, 1991-1996
2
92
Back to Top

Series 4: Professional and Project Files , circa 1970-1997
0.5 Linear feet
Boxes 2-3, OV 8

Professional and project files document conferences, symposiums, programs, memberships in organizations, grant and job applications, and fellowships. There is also documentation of the Metro Art for Rail Transit project and Outterbridge's directorship of the Communicative Arts Academy.
Description Container Select
"Aesthetics of Community-Based Art Making" Symposium, 1993-1995
2
93
Art in Embassies Program, 1996
2
94
Bodacious Buggerrilla Expansion Arts Program Application, circa 1980
2
95
Book Proposal for John Outterbridge Monograph, circa 1993
2
96
California Arts Council Photocopy of Expenses, 1980
2
97
California Community Foundation Getty Fellowships, 1993-1994
2
98
CHCG Building Sculpture Contract, 1991-1992
2
99
Communicative Arts Academy By-Laws, circa 1972-1975
2
100
Communicative Arts Academy Press Release, circa 1975
2
101
Communicative Arts Academy Prospectus, circa 1970
2
102
CSADP Conference, 1997
2
103
Dashin Galleries Project Proposal, 1992
2
104
Job Applications and Appointments, 1992-1997
2
105
Los Angeles County Museum of Art "Hold It!" Auction, 1996
2
106
Metro Art for Rail Transit Project
Correspondence, 1991-1995
2
107
Contracts and Invoices, 1991-1996
2
108
Avalon Transit Station Plan and Blueprints, 1991-1992
Oversized material housed in OV 8.
2
109
Avalon Station Pyramid Sculpture Redesign and Photographs, 1992-1993
2
110
Road Cloud Art Company Loan Agreement, 1994
2
104
Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) Art Program Contract, 1980
2
111
New Zealand Maori Artists and Writers Festival-Conference, 1985-1986
2
112
Road Cloud Art Company Loan Agreement, 1994
2
113
University of Kentucky Lecture Program, 1993
3
1
Urban Visual Artists Symposium, circa 1975
3
2
Washington Irving Branch Library Adaptive Reuse Plans, 1991
3
3
Oversized Avalon Station Plans from Box 2, Folder 109, 1991-1992
OV 8
Back to Top

Series 5: Watts Towers Arts Center Files , 1976-1997
0.4 Linear feet
Box 3

The Watts Towers Arts Center (WTAC) files consist of materials from John Outterbridge's time as a director. There are files on arts programs and events run by the WTAC, by-laws, budgets, fundraising, reports, correspondence, program proposals, printed materials, and information on the jazz, art, and drum festivals. There are also files on various organizations that worked in tandem with WTAC in order to provide services and art programming to the Watts area of Los Angeles.
Description Container Select
Watts Towers Arts Center
10th Annual Watts Towers Music Festival, circa 1986
3
4
Advisory Board, 1976
3
5
Arts and Heritage Program, circa 1977
3
6
Arts, Jazz and Music Festivals, 1987-1994
3
7
Augmented Budget Expenditure Plan, 1992-1993
3
8
By-Laws, Rules and Regulations, circa 1976
3
9
California Arts Council Grant Application, 1980
3
10
Day of the Drum Festival, 1984-1987
3
11
Day of the Drum Festival, 1992
3
12
Financial Records, 1990
3
13
"Fundraising Planning Study: Simon Rodia's Towers in Watts", 1984
3
14
Jazz Project with CalArts, 1990-1992
3
15
Musicians for Festivals - Obo Addy, circa 1992
3
16
Musicians for Festivals - Odadaa, 1992
3
17
Printed Material, 1976-1997
3
18-19
Proposal to Rename Gallery After John Outterbridge, 1996
3
20
Watts Artists Tutor Team System Proposal, 1977
3
21
Miscellaneous, 1991-1992
3
22
"Build Watts Towers: History of Watts Towers" Festival Event, 1996
3
23
Watts Cinema and Education Center, 1997
3
24
Watts Redevelopment Project Biennial Report, 1991
3
25
Watts Towers Exploratorium Proposal for Showcase L.A., 1992
3
26
Watts Towers Community Action Council, 1991-1992
3
27
Watts Towers Community and Conservation Trust, Inc., 1984-1985
3
28
Watts Towers Cultural Crescent Master Plan, 1992-1994
3
29
Back to Top

Series 6: Exhibition Files , 1992-1996
0.2 Linear feet
Box 3

Exhibition files consists of correspondence, exhibition lists, receipts, travel itineraries, catalogs, and reports mostly related to several biennial exhibitions Outterbridge participated in, such as the Sao Paolo Biennial and the Africus Johannesburg Biennial. The are a few exhibition proposals and miscellaneous materials.
Description Container Select
Exhibition Proposal for Show about Presidential Candidates, 1992
3
30
22nd Sao Paulo Biennial (1994)
Travel Records and Itinerary, 1994
3
31
Expenses and Receipts, 1994
3
32
Art of Betye Saar and John Outterbridge (1994), 1994
3
33
inSITE94 (1994), 1993-1995
3
34-35
Africus Johannesburg Biennale (1995), 1994-1995
3
36
African Influences - Contemporary Art (1996), 1996
3
38
Assorted Exhibition Labels, 1993-1995
3
39
Back to Top

Series 7: Printed Material , 1968-1997
1.1 Linear feet
Boxes 3-4

Printed material includes clippings about John Outterbridge and Watts Towers, exhibition catalogs, announcements, books, and magazines.
Description Container Select
Clippings about John Outterbridge, 1970-1997
3
40-44
Clippings about Watts Towers, 1980-1985
3
45
Clippings about Watts Towers, 1980-1985
4
1
Clippings about Other Gods: Containers of Belief Exhibition, 1987
4
2
Exhibition Catalogs
Sixth Annual Southern California Art Exhibition (1968), 1968
4
3
5: Benny, Bernie, Betye, Noah and John (1971), 1971
4
4
An Exhibition of Street Art by Black Americans (1973), 1973
4
5
The Black Image (1974), 1974
4
6
A Tribute to Martin Luther King Jr. (1976), 1976
4
7
Afro-American Artists: North Carolina, USA (1980), 1980
4
8
East/West: Contemporary American Art (1984-1985), 1984-1985
4
9
Artists Select: Contemporary Perspectives by Afro-American Artists (1986), 1986
4
10
Artists of the Black Community/USA (1988), 1988
4
11
Assemblage: Poetry and Narration (1988), 1988
4
12
19 Sixties: A Cultural Awakening Reevaluated, 1965-1975 (1989), 1989
4
13
Pasadena Armory Show (1989-1990), 1989-1990
4
14
Artists' Artists (1990), 1990
4
15
Carrie Mae Weems: And 22 Million (1992), 1992
4
16
John Outterbridge: Sculptor of Oppositions (1992), 1992
4
17
John Outterbridge: A Retrospective (1993-1994), 1993-1994
4
18
LAX/94 (1994), 1994
4
19
Quinta Bienal de la Habana (1994), 1994
4
20
Altars (1995), 1995
4
21
Ethnic Instrument Collection of Dr. Joseph and Bootsie Howard (1995), 1995
4
22
Open House (1996), 1996
4
23
Spirit Landscape: Urban and Rural Forms (1996), 1996
4
24
Photocopies of Exhibition Catalogs, 1974-1986
4
25
Books
Black Artists on Art, 1969
4
26
Black Dimensions in Contemporary American Art, 1971
4
27
City of Watts, 1907-1926, 1985
4
28
Colors and Chords: The Art of Johnny Otis, 1995
4
29
Life is a Patchwork Quilt, 1979
4
30
Mid-Cities Telephone Directory, 1980
Cover has an image of a mural featuring a portrait of John Outterbridge
4
31
The Watts Towers of Los Angeles, 1989
4
32
Magazines
Art in America, 1995
4
33
Art Issues, 1993
4
34
Visions, 1995
4
35
Compton Herald American Newsletter Cover, 1972
4
36
Exhibition Announcements, 1969-1992
4
37
Back to Top

Series 8: Scrapbook , 1968-1997
0.5 Linear feet
Box 5

There is one disbound scrapbook that contains clippings, award certificates, and photographs pasted on boards. The photographs depict events at Watts Towers Arts Center and many have detailed annotations identifying individuals in photographs. The photos include images of Johnny Otis, Nina Simone, and L.A. Mayor Tom Bradley.
Description Container Select
Scrapbook (Disbound), 1968-1997
Oversized scrapbook housed in Box 5.
4
38
Oversized Scrapbook (Disbound) from Box 4, Folder 38, 1968-1997
5
Back to Top

Series 9: Photographs , 1953-1995
0.2 Linear feet
Boxes 4-5

Photographs are of John Outterbridge and his artwork, studio, family, friends, gatherings and events, such as workshops and the annual Jazz Festival at Watts Towers Arts Center. Among those depicted in the photographs are Bob Marley and Gregory Hines.
Description Container Select
John Outterbridge in Germany During Military Service, 1953
4
39
John Outterbridge Portraits, circa 1985
Oversized material housed in Box 5.
4
40
John Outterbridge Photographs By Thomas Meyer, 1983-1985
Photographs mounted on board and used as postcards with messages written on verso.
4
41
John Outterbridge and Bob Marley at Watts Towers Arts Center, 1981
4
42
John Outterbridge and Gregory Hines at Watts Towers Jazz Festival, 1984
4
43
John Outterbridge Teaching at Workshops, 1973-1994
4
44
Outterbridge Family, 1953
4
45
Artwork, circa 1995
4
46
Studio, 1993-1994
4
47
Otis College Honorary Doctorate Ceremony, 1992
4
48
Retirement Celebration, 1992
4
49
Assorted Events and Gatherings, 1958-1995
4
50
Oversized Portrait of John Outterbridge from Box 4, Folder 40 , circa 1985
5

Make a Request

  • To request an appointment to view materials, make your selections using the checkboxes and click the "Reading Room" button. Please note, you will receive the full box.
  • To request reproductions, make your selections using the checkboxes and click the "Reproduction" button.