1949-1950 | California School of Fine Arts

A storied center for artists and visionary thought in America, Don found himself at the California School of Fine Arts after winning a statewide competition for a year-long scholarship. This was during a particularly vibrant time at CFSA. During the period following World War II, under the direction of Douglas MacAgy, the school became a center for artistic experimentation. The who’s who of American art history makers who served as faculty or visiting artists here during this time is almost hard to believe.

Mark Rothko taught summer sessions and his time there was integral to bringing forth Abstract Expressionism. He later spoke of his time teaching those courses as “magical.” Clyfford Still was also teaching painting. Richard Diebenkorn (also a former student) was teaching figure drawing. Claire Falkenstein taught sculpture. Walter Landor taught package design. Ansel Adams founded the photography department in 1946 and brought in the renowned photographers Edward Weston, Dorothea Lange, and Imogen Cunningham — and hired Minor White to be the principal instructor. Surrealists Man Ray and Salvador Dali also made appearances as visiting artists.

Below is the CSFA Curriculum & Faculty Publication for the 1949-1950 school year.