Archives of American Art
Florence Millner Arnold papers
Arnold, Florence M. (Florence Millner), 1900-1994
AAA.arnoflor
Archival Resource Key
2.4 Linear feet
circa 1920-1994
The papers of teacher, painter, and serigrapher Florence Millner Arnold measure 2.4 linear feet and date from circa 1920 to 1994. The papers demonstrate her career through biographical materials, correspondence, writings, personal business records, printed and photographic materials, and artwork.
English
.
Biographical / Historical
Florence "Flossie" Maud Arnold (née Millner, 1900-) was a teacher, painter and serigrapher who worked primarily in Orange County, California. She was born in 1900 in Prescott, Arizona. Arnold earned a Bachelor of Arts in music in 1926 from Mills College in Oakland, California, and went on to earn a bachelor's in education in 1937 from Claremont College. After marrying her husband, Archie, and settling in Fullerton, California, Arnold taught music for 42 years at Fullerton Union High School. Once she had retired from teaching, Arnold began to take classes at Fullerton College in painting. Although she speacialized early in landscapes and still life, she soon shifted towards her eventual style of hard-edge abstract paintings, drawing inspiration from John McLaughlin's work and studying under Karl Benjamin.
Arnold was very active in the Orange County art community, organizing the Orange County Art Association and, in 1966, helping to found the "Night In Fullerton" program, a night of performance and visual arts at local museums. Arnold was also a founder of the Art Alliance at California State University and the Muckenthaler Cultural Center and she held events to promote young artists including the recurring Florence Young Artist Festival Exhibition. Arnold's work has been exhibited in the U.S., Madrid, Copenhagen, Florence, Rome, Milan, and Venice. California State University continues to grant scholarships in Arnold's name, a practice established in 1990. Arnold died at 93 years old in 1994.
Arrangement
This collection consists of seven series.
- Series 1: Biographical Material, circa 1920-1994 (.1 Linear feet: Box 1)
- Series 2: Correspondence, circa 1920-1989 (.1 Linear feet: Box 1)
- Series 3: Writings, circa 1930-1985 (.1 Linear feet: Box 1)
- Series 4: Personal Business Records, circa 1920-1987 (.4 Linear feet: Box 1)
- Series 5: Printed Material, circa 1920-1980 (1.3 Linear feet: Box 1-2)
- Series 6: Photographic Material, circa 1923-1989 (.3 Linear feet: Box 3)
- Series 7: Artwork, circa 1947-1970 (.1 Linear feet: Box 3)
Scope and Contents
The Florence Millner Arnold papers measure 2.4 linear feet and date from circa 1920-1994. Biographical materials include a video interview with Lyn Gamwell and an interview with Helen Chen for the Fullerton College Oral History Program, among others. Also included is a publication for Who's Who of American Women and various certificates and awards granted to Arnold throughout her career. Correspondence is between Arnold and others, including letters and postcards regarding her world travels, and with the Archives of American Art regarding her collections.
Writings consist of various essays about Arnold, reviews of her artwork, and lesson plans for her 7th and 8th grade classes at Buena Park Elementary School in Fullerton, California. Personal business records include materials relating to her professional activities including documentation on the "Night in Fullerton" program and records for her various silk screen prints. Printed materials include exhibition catalogs and announcements, as well as materials for "Louise Hutton's Distinguished Delegation" event for USA and USSR women. Photographic material contains photographs of Arnold, her friends and family, and her artwork. Artwork includes sketches and sketchbooks.
Conditions Governing Use
The Archives of American Art makes its archival collections available for non-commercial, educational and personal use unless restricted by copyright and/or donor restrictions, including but not limited to access and publication restrictions. AAA makes no representations concerning such rights and restrictions and it is the user's responsibility to determine whether rights or restrictions exist and to obtain any necessary permission to access, use, reproduce and publish the collections. Please refer to the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for additional information.
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research. Access to original papers requires an appointment and is limited to the Archives' Washington, D.C. Research Center. Researchers interested in accessing born-digital records or audiovisual recordings in this collection must use access copies. Contact References Services for more information.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The Florence Millner Arnold microfilmed materials on reels 3979-3980 were donated to the Archives of American Art by Florence Arnold in 1975 and 1980. Papers were donated by Arnold's daughter, Adrienne Chakerian, in 1994.
Existence and Location of Copies
Portions of the collection are available on 35mm microfilm reels 3979-3980 at the Archives of American Art offices and through interlibrary loan. Researchers should note that the arrangement of material described in the container inventory does not reflect the arrangement of the collection on microfilm.
Preferred Citation
Florence Millner Arnold papers, circa 1920-1994 Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.
Processing Information
This collection was processed, and a finding aid prepared, by Allessandra Liberati in 2023.
Serigraphers -- California
Printmakers -- California
Painters -- California
Women artists
Women painters
Women printmakers
Sketchbooks
Video recordings
Interviews
Biographical Material
Series 1
Archival Resource Key
.1 Linear feet
Box 1
circa 1920-1994
Scope and Contents
Biographical material includes Arnold's resume and various interviews with Arnold including a video interview with Lyn Gamwell, the Fullerton College Gallery Director, and with Helen Chen for the Fullerton College Oral History Program. Also included is Arnold's obituary, a publication of Who's Who of American Women, birthday materials, and certificates and awards from Arnold's career.
Resume
Archival Resource Key
circa 1973
1
1
"An Interview with Florence Arnold, Southern California Artist", Conducted by Anne Riley
Archival Resource Key
circa 1974
1
2
"Interview with Lyn Gamwell, Fullerton College Gallery Director"
Archival Resource Key
1 Videoreels (1/2 inch)
circa 1975
1
3
"The Life Story of Florence Arnold", Interview by Helen Chen
Archival Resource Key
1983, Jan. 18
1
4
"A Monograph of Florence Arnold" by D. M. Hackbarth and Dona Berkhimer
Archival Resource Key
1970, Jan. 14
1
5
Interview, Transcript
Archival Resource Key
circa 1973
1
6
Obituary
Archival Resource Key
circa 1994
1
7
Buena Park School District, Diploma of Graduation
Archival Resource Key
1966, June 16
1
8
Who's Who of American Women
Archival Resource Key
circa 1977-1978
1
9
Guestbook, 75th Birthday
Archival Resource Key
circa 1975
1
10
80th Birthday
Archival Resource Key
1 Sound cassette
circa 1980
1
11
Certificates and Awards
Archival Resource Key
circa 1962-1988
1
12
Mailing Lists
Archival Resource Key
circa 1920-1990
1
13
Miscellaneous
Archival Resource Key
circa 1966
1
14
Correspondence
Series 2
Archival Resource Key
.1 Linear feet
Box 1
circa 1920-1989
Scope and Contents
Correspondence is between Arnold and the Archives of American Art, others, and includes postcards and letters regarding her travel.
Correspondence (1920s)
Archival Resource Key
circa 1920-1029
1
15
Correspondence (1930s)
Archival Resource Key
circa 1932
1
16
Correspondence (1950s)
Archival Resource Key
circa 1954-1959
1
17
Correspondence (1960s)
Archival Resource Key
circa 1960-1969
1
18
Correspondence (1970s)
Archival Resource Key
circa 1970-1979
1
19-20
Correspondence (1980s)
Archival Resource Key
circa 1980-1986
1
21
Archives of American Art
Archival Resource Key
circa 1974-1981
1
22
World Travel, Letters and Postcards
Archival Resource Key
circa 1920-1989
1
23
Writings
Series 3
Archival Resource Key
.1 Linear feet
Box 1
circa 1930-1985
Scope and Contents
Writings include essays by others about Arnold, reviews of her artwork, and lesson plans for her 7th and 8th grade classes.
By Arnold
Archival Resource Key
Buena Park Elementary School, Lesson Plans for Class
Archival Resource Key
circa 1930-1980
1
24
By Others
Archival Resource Key
Artwork Review
Archival Resource Key
circa1930-1980
1
25
Bicentennial Sculpture Dedication
Archival Resource Key
1978, Nov. 19
1
26
Essay on Arnold, By Donald Cannon
Archival Resource Key
1980, May 3
1
27
"Florence Arnold" by Fidel Danieli for Artweek
Archival Resource Key
1975, Sept. 14
1
28
"Long Beach Art Museum, Florence Arnold Exhibit" by Walt Klemm
Archival Resource Key
circa 1930-1980
1
29
Review of Paintings by Don Lagerberg
Archival Resource Key
circa 1971
1
30
School of the Arts, California State University, Commencement Speech
Archival Resource Key
1977, May 28
1
31
Quotes on Arnold and Her Work
Archival Resource Key
circa 1930-1980
1
32
Miscellaneous Writings by Others
Archival Resource Key
circa 1975-1985
1
33
Personal Business Records
Series 4
Archival Resource Key
.4 Linear feet
Box 1
circa 1920-1987
Scope and Contents
Personal business records include materials relating to the "Night in Fullerton" program, a night of performance and visual arts at local
museums in Fullerton, California, records regarding Arnold's silk screen prints, artwork inventories, and exhibition entry cards.
Public Service
Archival Resource Key
Bicentennial Committee Executive Board Members, List
Archival Resource Key
1974, Apr. 16
1
34
City Council of the City of Fullerton, Resolution Number 4949
Archival Resource Key
circa 1969
1
35
Cultural and Fine Arts Commission, Board Members
Archival Resource Key
circa 1968-1980
1
36
Girl Scout Council of Orange County, PAVE-4 Event (1970)
Archival Resource Key
circa 1970
1
37
"Night in Fullerton" Program
Archival Resource Key
circa 1965-1987
1
38-39
Art Career
Archival Resource Key
Florence Arnold Retrospective, Meeting Minutes
Archival Resource Key
circa 1973-1985
1
40
Honor Arts Committee Show (1983)
Archival Resource Key
circa 1983-1985
1
41
Long Beach Museum of Art, Exhibition Blueprints
Archival Resource Key
circa 1961
1
42
Los Angeles County Museum, Gift From Arnold
Archival Resource Key
circa 1959
1
43
Newport Arts Commission Exhibition at Robinsons (1978)
Archival Resource Key
1978, May 17
1
44
Silk Screen Prints, Records
Archival Resource Key
circa 1970-1977
1
45
Artwork Inventories
Archival Resource Key
circa 1920-1980
1
46
Bills and Receipts for Artwork Sales
Archival Resource Key
circa 1971-1985
1
47
Exhibition Entry Cards
Archival Resource Key
circa 1954-1962
1
48
Miscellaneous Business Records
Archival Resource Key
circa 1975-1981
1
49
Printed Material
Series 5
Archival Resource Key
1.3 Linear feet
Box 1-2
circa 1920-1980
Scope and Contents
Printed materials include exhibition announcements and catalogs, lists of public and private collections of Arnold's works, various news clippings and publications, and materials regarding "Louise Hutton's Distinguished Delegation".
Exhibition Announcements
Archival Resource Key
circa 1954-1980
1
50-52
Exhibition Catalogs
Archival Resource Key
circa 1954-1980
1
53-54
Exhibition Catalogs
Archival Resource Key
circa 1954-1980
2
1-6
"Louise Hutton's Distinguished Delegation", Event Materials
Archival Resource Key
circa 1971
2
7
Public and Private Collections of Florence Arnold's Artwork, List
Archival Resource Key
circa 1970-1980
2
8
Trip to Europe, Itinerary
Archival Resource Key
circa 1960
2
9
Event Programs
Archival Resource Key
circa 1925-1980
2
10
News Clippings
Archival Resource Key
circa 1923-1980
2
11-17
Newsletters
Archival Resource Key
circa 1959-1979
2
18
Press Releases
Archival Resource Key
circa 1962-1969
2
19-20
Quarterlies
Archival Resource Key
circa 1972-1979
2
21-23
Miscellaneous Publications
Archival Resource Key
circa 1975-1979
2
24-26
Miscellaneous Printed Material
Archival Resource Key
circa 1920-1980
2
27-28
Photographic Material
Series 6
Archival Resource Key
.3 Linear feet
Box 3
circa 1923-1989
Scope and Contents
Photographs are of Arnold, her family and friends, and her artwork.
Photographs of Florence and Archie
Archival Resource Key
circa 1948-1980
3
1
Periodical Advertisement Mock-up, Photograph
Archival Resource Key
circa 1974
3
2
Public Relations, Photographs
Archival Resource Key
circa 1961-1973
3
3
Show in Rome (1962), Photographs
Archival Resource Key
circa 1962
3
4
Personal Photographs
Archival Resource Key
circa 1923-1989
3
5-6
Photographs of Artwork
Archival Resource Key
circa 1969-1972
3
7-8
Photographs of Artwork, Negatives
Archival Resource Key
circa 1969-1972
3
9
Photographs of Artwork, Slides
Archival Resource Key
circa 1965-1976
3
10-11
Miscellaneous Photographs
Archival Resource Key
circa 1966-1973
3
12
Artwork
Series 7
Archival Resource Key
.1 Linear feet
Box 3
circa 1947-1970
Scope and Contents
Artwork includes two folders of loose sketches and two sketchbooks.
Sketches
Archival Resource Key
circa 1947-1970
3
13
Sketchbooks
Archival Resource Key
circa 1947-1970
3
14