SFAI Painting Faculty, Mary Lovelace O'Neal, 1970s

Mary Lovelace O’Neal (in chair) with students at SFAI in painting studio, c. 1972; SFAI archive. Photographer unknown.

Hired to teach painting in 1970, Mary O’Neal was an important mentor to many students, especially women. In 1972 she taught a class in the nascent World Studies Department called “Problems in the City.” The course description read: “Just what it says—a look at minority and subcultures, including the different ghettos; farm communities; political groups; the government; the sexual underground; dope; gambling; rich people; etc.”

For more information about Mary Lovelace O’Neal see Nina Zurier’s entry in UC’s BAM/PFA online exhibition, Orbits of Known and Unknown Objects: SFAI Histories, Matrix 277

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.