Flo Allen models for Richard Diebenkorn’s drawing class c. 1947. Allen had first modeled in the 1930s and also at the Golden Gate International Exhibition on Treasure Island. She organized the Models Guild, sang in the Studio 13 Jass Band, was a hostess at the legendary Old Spaghetti Factory on Grant Avenue in North Beach and wrote a column, “Flo Sez” for the SF African-American newspaper, The Sun Reporter. She was a model for nearly every art student and prominent artist in the Bay Area for nearly 40 years. The list includes Mark Rothko, Max Beckmann, Hans Hoffman, Joan Brown, etc. etc. etc. etc. etc. A legendary figure in the art world of the Bay Area she was celebrated with a party at the School in 1997 that included artists who had painted her from the 1930s through the 1970s.
With permission, SFAA is re-posting the emails Jeff Gunderson Librarian/Archivist Anne Bremer Memorial Library has been sending out since March 2020. Please enjoy this magnificent archive.
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