Otis Art Institute Faculty Exhibition 1961

              FOREWORD
Gilbert Murray has defined progress as "some gradual enriching and ennobling
of the content of life." Substimte the word "an" for the word "progress" and
an equally essential definition of art is had. It is one in which the Los Angeles
County Art Institute believes and tO which it subscribes, with enthusiasm. And it
is one from which the function of the artist in any society may be deduced, namely,
to go beyond the elementary absolute of creating order out of chaos and to strive
tOward that which imbues life with dignity of purpose and nobility.
In its professional program the Los Angeles County Art Institute follows the
principle that the hand which manipulates is only as good as the bean and head
which direct. Hence its four-year curriculum, with the prerequisite of two years
on the college level, of required humanities studies accompanying required smdio
disciplines. The selection of its faculty is based on the conviction that, while the
becoming of an artist depends in the last resort upon the individual, the most
competent and complete professional guidance is necessary in order to acquire the
fundamentals. Hence all the members are professionals, on the one hand practicing
artists, on the other, teachers from the college level.
In presenting the work of its studio faculty, the Los Angeles County Art Institute
takes pride in the quality and variety of accomplishment. Included are both smdio
work, which bears the stamp of personal search, and commissioned work, which
gives evidence of individual competence in many directions.