JOHN E OTTERSON, JR.
(1905-1991)Painter, architect and Hollywood art director John (Jack) E. Otterson, Jr. attended Yale University where he studied architecture and earned a B.F.A. degree. He collaborated on the decorative designs for the Empire State Building. In 1932 Otterson began working for Fox film studios as a sketch artist. In 1936 he moved to Universal Studios where he was art director from 1937 to 1946. Over the course of his career at Universal Otterson worked on three hundred films and was nominated for eight Academy Awards in the category Best Art Direction. In 1946 he resigned his position to devote himself to painting and teaching. From 1946 to 1955 he taught at the Los Angeles Art Institute and at UCLA in the 1960s. The artist’s work has been exhibited at the National Academy of Design in 1931; the Los Angeles Art Academy, 1946; the National Serigraph Society, 1954 (1st prize); Art Institute of Chicago, 1955 (2nd prize); San Francisco Art Association, 1956 (2nd prize); Los Angeles City Art Festival, 1958 (1st prize); the International Art Show in New York City, 1961 (1st prize); National Orange Show, 1965 (2nd prize); Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, 1966; and at the Brussels International in 1972.
ALFRED CLEVELAND BLUMENTHAL
(1885-1957)
A.C. Blumenthal was an American real estate developer, theatrical promoter and husband of actress Peggy Fears.
Late 19th/Early 20th Century
Painter, architect and Hollywood art director John (Jack) E. Otterson, Jr. attended Yale University where he studied architecture and earned a B.F.A. degree. He collaborated on the decorative designs for the Empire State Building. In 1932 Otterson began working for Fox film studios as a sketch artist. In 1936 he moved to Universal Studios where he was art director from 1937 to 1946. Over the course of his career at Universal Otterson worked on three hundred films and was nominated for eight Academy Awards in the category Best Art Direction. In 1946 he resigned his position to devote himself to painting and teaching. From 1946 to 1955 he taught at the Los Angeles Art Institute and at UCLA in the 1960s. The artist’s work has been exhibited at the National Academy of Design in 1931; the Los Angeles Art Academy, 1946; the National Serigraph Society, 1954 (1st prize); Art Institute of Chicago, 1955 (2nd prize); San Francisco Art Association, 1956 (2nd prize); Los Angeles City Art Festival, 1958 (1st prize); the International Art Show in New York City, 1961 (1st prize); National Orange Show, 1965 (2nd prize); Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, 1966; and at the Brussels International in 1972.