Bruce Ariss
Encyclopedia
Bruce Wallace Ariss, Jr. (August 10, 1911 – September, 1994) was an American
artist
and writer.
, where a street and theatre have been named after him. In addition, he has numerous murals there, at least some of which were 1930s Works Progress Administration
projects. He has myriad illustration work in published books, as well as various published books of his own.
For many years, Bruce Ariss was an artist, writer, and icon on the Monterey peninsula. He settled on the peninsula 1936 with his wife Jean, who he met at the University Of Califorina, in Berkley. His murals can still be found throughout Monterey County. Bruce was a friend and contemporary of Nobel Prize winning author John Steinbeck
and Ed “Doc” Ricketts
.
Bruce accompanied Ricketts and Steinbeck on multiple excursions to Mexico, to collect marine specimens. His pencil sketches chronicled the trip and offered a rare insight to the obstinate but charming Steinbeck, who himself wrote of one such journey in the book Sea Of Cortez.
One of his many interests was a concept car called the Polaris. In 1958 Bruce designed an economy sedan with innovative features such as a sliding door, front wheel drive and modular components.
Bruce worked 12 years at the Defense Language Institute
with Barney Inada in the art department. Other accomplishments include designing and building the Wharf Theater
which stands today as part of his legacy to the city of Monterey
and its arts community he worked diligently towards improving. Bruce's artwork was influenced by Diego Rivera. Rivera insisted that a woodblock carving of him by Ariss was the best portrait that any artist had ever done of him.
Ariss also assisted cartoonist Hank Ketcham
with Dennis the Menace
and working on various movie sets, as well as being the set director for the "I Love Lucy Show".
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
artist
Artist
An artist is a person engaged in one or more of any of a broad spectrum of activities related to creating art, practicing the arts and/or demonstrating an art. The common usage in both everyday speech and academic discourse is a practitioner in the visual arts only...
and writer.
Life
Bruce Ariss has been influential in Monterey, CaliforniaMonterey, California
The City of Monterey in Monterey County is located on Monterey Bay along the Pacific coast in Central California. Monterey lies at an elevation of 26 feet above sea level. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 27,810. Monterey is of historical importance because it was the capital of...
, where a street and theatre have been named after him. In addition, he has numerous murals there, at least some of which were 1930s Works Progress Administration
Works Progress Administration
The Works Progress Administration was the largest and most ambitious New Deal agency, employing millions of unskilled workers to carry out public works projects, including the construction of public buildings and roads, and operated large arts, drama, media, and literacy projects...
projects. He has myriad illustration work in published books, as well as various published books of his own.
For many years, Bruce Ariss was an artist, writer, and icon on the Monterey peninsula. He settled on the peninsula 1936 with his wife Jean, who he met at the University Of Califorina, in Berkley. His murals can still be found throughout Monterey County. Bruce was a friend and contemporary of Nobel Prize winning author John Steinbeck
John Steinbeck
John Ernst Steinbeck, Jr. was an American writer. He is widely known for the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel The Grapes of Wrath and East of Eden and the novella Of Mice and Men...
and Ed “Doc” Ricketts
Ed Ricketts
Edward Flanders Robb Ricketts commonly known as Ed Ricketts, was an American marine biologist, ecologist, and philosopher...
.
Bruce accompanied Ricketts and Steinbeck on multiple excursions to Mexico, to collect marine specimens. His pencil sketches chronicled the trip and offered a rare insight to the obstinate but charming Steinbeck, who himself wrote of one such journey in the book Sea Of Cortez.
Bruce worked 12 years at the Defense Language Institute
Defense Language Institute
The Defense Language Institute is a United States Department of Defense educational and research institution, which provides linguistic and cultural instruction to the Department of Defense, other Federal Agencies and numerous and varied other customers...
with Barney Inada in the art department. Other accomplishments include designing and building the Wharf Theater
Wharf Theater
The Bruce Ariss Wharf Theater as it is officially known today began its history after World War II when Ariss, an artist and friend of John Steinbeck, returned to the city of Monterey after working with his father's construction company....
which stands today as part of his legacy to the city of Monterey
Monterey, California
The City of Monterey in Monterey County is located on Monterey Bay along the Pacific coast in Central California. Monterey lies at an elevation of 26 feet above sea level. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 27,810. Monterey is of historical importance because it was the capital of...
and its arts community he worked diligently towards improving. Bruce's artwork was influenced by Diego Rivera. Rivera insisted that a woodblock carving of him by Ariss was the best portrait that any artist had ever done of him.
Ariss also assisted cartoonist Hank Ketcham
Hank Ketcham
Henry King "Hank" Ketcham was an American cartoonist who created the Dennis the Menace comic strip, writing and drawing it from 1951 to 1994, when he retired from drawing the daily page and took up painting full time in his studio at his home. He received the Reuben Award for the strip in 1953...
with Dennis the Menace
Dennis the Menace (U.S.)
Dennis the Menace is a daily syndicated newspaper comic strip originally created, written and illustrated by Hank Ketcham. It debuted on March 12, 1951 in 16 newspapers and was originally distributed by Post-Hall Syndicate...
and working on various movie sets, as well as being the set director for the "I Love Lucy Show".
See also
- John SteinbeckJohn SteinbeckJohn Ernst Steinbeck, Jr. was an American writer. He is widely known for the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel The Grapes of Wrath and East of Eden and the novella Of Mice and Men...
- Ed RickettsEd RickettsEdward Flanders Robb Ricketts commonly known as Ed Ricketts, was an American marine biologist, ecologist, and philosopher...