Sunday, Mar. 03, 2013 | 08:15 AM
Question: What is the history of the Fresno Art Museum?
-- Diane Winning, Fresno
Answer: In the 1930s and 1940s, it was hard to find public space to exhibit art, so local art shows were held in several downtown locations -- even an upstairs hallway at the Memorial Auditorium.
The Fresno Art Council began writing articles of incorporation for an art center in April 1948 and the effort was soon joined by several art groups and civic organizations. The Fresno Arts Center was incorporated in May 1949.
In 1952, Fresno architect David H. Horn donated a room at 1256 Fulton St. for a space for the center to hold exhibits.
In 1957, Fresno County gave to the Fresno Arts Center the former home of Fresno banker William R. Price, which the county had bought for $28,250 in 1953.
The house at Mariposa and O streets was located where the new Fresno County Library would soon be built, so the 50-year-old, two-story white wood-frame Colonial-style house was moved a few blocks away to Mariposa and Q streets.
There is a parking lot where the house once stood, but a barn of similar white wood-frame construction sits beside the lot behind nearby Fresno City Hall.
Within two years, the Fresno Arts Center had broken ground on a new $60,000 building near Radio Park at Clinton Avenue and First Street. The cost of building a new facility was less than repairs needed for the Price home.
When the new Fresno Arts Center and Museum opened in February 1960, then-mayor Arthur L. Selland said, "Of course, there never seems to be as much money as could be used in this sort of project, but I have faith that it will grow and expand with the community."
An additional wing was added to the building in 1967. In 1973, the museum was granted accreditation by the American Association of Museums.
In 1982, an expansion doubled the museum's space and in 1988 the Bonner Auditorium was built onto the museum. The name was changed to the Fresno Art Museum in the late 1980s.
More on Martin's Cyclery: After the answer to a question about Martin's Cyclery ran Oct. 3, Neil Williams of Hanford, who asked the question, supplied more information about the bicycle owner Martin Sadoian helped him build.
"This was something huge for an 11-year-old boy," Williams wrote in an email. Williams, a long-time Valley journalist, rode the bicycle on his Fresno Bee delivery route.
Sadoian ordered all the parts for the bike, Williams recalled: "A Schwinn frame, knobby tires, rims, chrome fenders, Fresno handlebars , a Pearson seat, a light generator and reflectors."
"Then he taught me how to pack the bearings and lace the wheel spokes. In my opinion, I had the most beautiful customized bike in Fresno," Williams wrote. "More important was the patience and generosity shown by this man, teaching young kids about life's responsibilities."
More on Fresno State's neon band: After the answer to a question about neon lights worn by Fresno State's band ran Oct. 3, Larry Huck of Fresno called to fill in the rest of the story.
Huck, who was manager of Fresno State's "Marching 100" band in the late 1940s, said the band first performed with neon-decorated instruments and uniforms in 1949.
The lights were "quite an expensive gift" donated by the owner of the Hamlin Neon Sign Co., Huck said. In addition to the band's trombones, Sousaphones and lyres, the lights also decorated musicians' shoes and hats.
Huck said the lights were used several times in band shows and parades.
Former 1949-50 band member Duane Weston also called to say the lights were worn when the band performed in Hollywood and Long Beach that school year.
