Our Journey

Public Domain image

Dove by Betty Davenport Ford

Claremont turns out to have drawn rich artistic wealth as artists before and after the war gravitated to this area. Padua Hills became an art colony with many artists residing in those nearby hills overlooking Claremont.

Mt Baldy, Photo by John Schleis II

But specific to our beginnings - the beginnings of the Pomona Valley Artists Association (PVAA) - our notebook of historic minutes begins in the formative four years of 1948 - 1952, when a group of artists met casually at local parks in the Pomona Valley such as Washington Park in Pomona and the grassy hilltop called Picnic Hill overlooking the Fairplex to share one another’s love of art and their artistic experiences. They held picnics and informal exhibits at these locations.

They began to meet several times a month to schedule shows and exhibits at various rooms in public and business buildings in the area. They began to meet at one another’s homes for the organizational and scheduling meetings needed for these exhibits and shows. Their first formal exhibition was held in 1948 at the Pomona City Library. In the minutes for June 6, 1955 the winners of an art competition are noted, an art competition that happened at the opening of the Members Annual Show at the Pomona Public Library.

Also during this time the minutes record an impressive line up of presentations by artists both local and out of the area. The PVAA group consistently scheduled these talks by fellow artists, some members, some not. They even voted on extending $25 honorarium and a dinner for the invited artists’ efforts. Among these speakers are Millford Zornes, Millard Sheets, Karl Benjamin, and Paul Darrow among many many others.

Also, in Claremont, are the Claremont Colleges. Many of PVAA’s artists taught art at Scripps College where Millard Sheets formed an art department years earlier. And there are a number of murals, paintings, and sculptures to be found on the Scripps campus and around the Claremont Colleges in general. (A list of locations is in the works!)

A Millard Sheets mosaic at the Garrison Theater, Claremont Colleges Campus (photo by Susan Perry)

As a growing body, these local artists became interested in making their group more formal, in forming a bone fide art association. They had already named their group the Pomona Valley Art Association (PVAA). Millard Sheets, who was a member of this group, was also a successful artist on his own with worldly experience of many art associations. As the Director of PVAA he provided some cautionary words to guard this group against the pitfalls of others. Sheets was asked by PVAA’s Chairman Scott to elaborate on his conception of what should be the aims and purposes of an art association, to expand on the brief words he had given in the last board meeting. On March 17, 1952, Director Millard Sheets (shortly thereafter President Sheets) said,

The purpose of forming an art association should be the development of a basic appreciation of art. This calls for vision and a genuine effort to achieve something worthwhile, as well as to create an aesthetic appreciation in all things which spring from deep within the heart.

It seems his advise on the purpose of forming an art association helped move this group forward to gather their thoughts about what kind of association they wanted to become and to create a constitution in order to finally seek a formal status for the Pomona Valley Art Association.

Although achieving their corporate status would take a few more years, they did in 1954 create a newsletter - the Bulletin - for its many members and followers. Up to this point, the calendar of exhibits, shows, and meetings were handwritten on cards and mailed to members; a newsletter was a useful step forward.

Millard Sheets had a long standing relationship with the LA County Fair: he had won a prize on a drawing he had entered when he was a boy. This experience is thought to have set off his storied art career. In fact, many attribute the overwhelming success of the LA County Fair to Millard Sheets’ ongoing participation in the fair as he rose to national fame. From 1923 the fair grew to become one of the largest county fairs in America.

LA County Fair at dusk. Public Domain Photo

Although the minutes still record Sheets’ presence at a few board meetings, doubtless his success demanded his attention to work on his many commissions. About this time another well known artist - Milford Zornes - became active in PVAA and under his guidance the group continued to blossom. Under the leadership of Milford Zornes in 1956-7 they finally managed to get the formal approval of their constitution and by laws by the Federal Government. PVAA became a non-profit 501(c)3 corp.

Many of the artists lived in Padua Hills and the PVAA minutes for this period state that PVAA President Milford Zornes presented plans for an Art Fiesta to happen there to be sponsored by PVAA. It seems there were a number of Padua Hills Art Fiesta during this time. Today we are thankful that the tradition has been picked up and sponsored by a sister art association: the Claremont Lewis Museum of Art. (A writing on the interconnected art groups is forthcoming.)

With the business underway, a successful newsletter established, and many exhibitions at the library, banks, parks, and business buildings under their belt, PVAA began looking for a place to call home. A move to the Pomona Mall in 1960 was the first of many homes for the Association. Completed in 1962 and designed by Millard Sheets …

[T]he Pomona Mall was a pedestrian mall in downtown Pomona, California recognized by the Los Angeles Conservancy as an outstanding example of Mid-century modern and modern architecture and design. It had been in the planning for five years, one element in a larger plan of civic improvements covering the whole city. The Pomona Mall took nine blocks of the existing downtown shopping district, pedestrianized it and added trees, benches, artwork, fountains and adjacent parking.Much of the art is still in place, mosaics and sculptures by Millard Sheets himself, Arthur and Jean Ames, Betty Davenport Ford, and John Stvenson.

Wikipedia, Feb 23, 2025

Through the loyal, dedicated efforts of its members and friends, PVAA has continued to serve the community, increasing the understanding of and appreciation for art, holding exhibitions and at the same time promoting and supporting many fine artists and artisans.

The Association is proud of the fact that its membership through the years has included outstanding award-winning artists who have achieved recognition and acclaim in the art world, such as Millard Sheets, Milford Zornes, Betty Davenport Ford, John Stvenson, David W. Scott, Phil Dike, James Heuter, Arthur and Jean Ames, Susan Hertel, Richard Pettersen, Don O’Neill, and Paul Darrow among many, many others.

PVAA is now a non-profit, cooperative, and well known entity with a history going back to 1948! We enjoy a vast membership and our Gallery SOHO is filled with creations of over 55 exhibiting artists who are all members of PVAA.

Photo by Tymeri Cuervo