Elizabeth Ginno facts for kids

Elizabeth de Gebele Ginno (1907 – 1991) was a talented artist from Berkeley, California. She was known for her beautiful paintings and printmaking. Elizabeth Ginno also took part in important art projects. These included the Golden Gate International Exposition and programs by the Works Progress Administration (WPA). The WPA was a government program that helped artists during tough economic times.

Early Life and Education

Elizabeth Ginno was born in 1907 in Plumstead, England. Her parents were on vacation there at the time. She grew up in Berkeley, California, where her family had lived for generations.

Elizabeth went to Mills College in Oakland, California. There, she studied both art and drama. At college, she met two people who greatly influenced her art. One was the famous photographer Imogen Cunningham. The other was Cunningham's husband, Roi George Partridge, a well-known printmaker.

Artistic Journey and Marriage

While at Mills College, Elizabeth also met Carol Aronovici. They got engaged in 1928 and later married. Together, they started a business called Stagecraft Studios. This company supplied items for theater productions.

At Stagecraft Studios, Elizabeth improved her skills. She learned a lot about designing costumes and sets. She also became good at makeup for plays. After she and Carol divorced in 1934, Elizabeth continued her artistic path.

Learning from John Winkler

Later, Elizabeth met John Winkler. He was an artist from Austria who specialized in etching. John taught Elizabeth a lot about drawing and etching. This new learning helped her art grow even more.

Her friendships and continued art education led to more opportunities. Elizabeth's work was shown in galleries in many cities. These included Williamstown, Massachusetts, San Francisco, California, and New York City.

In 1949, Elizabeth Ginno and John Winkler got married. Elizabeth joined the California Society of Printmakers. She later became the president of this group for 15 years. Her artwork was displayed in major places. These included the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, the Chicago Art Institute, and the Boston Printmakers Gallery.

Golden Gate International Exposition

The 1940 Golden Gate International Exposition was a very important event. It was a World's Fair held on Treasure Island near San Francisco. Many people thought it changed how West Coast art was seen.

Elizabeth Ginno was one of sixty artists at the "Art in Action" exhibit. Here, artists created their work live for visitors to see. Famous artist Diego Rivera also created his mural, Pan American Unity, there.

Sketches of World Cultures

Elizabeth's experience in costume design was very useful at the World's Fair. She created 75 sketches showing people from different cultures. These sketches showed men, women, and children in their traditional clothes.

Her etchings included people from Russia, Portugal, Finland, and France. She also drew people from Alsatia, Croatia, Scotland, and Romania. Her work seemed to focus on countries affected by the war in Europe at that time.

Later Life and Legacy

Elizabeth Ginno passed away in 1991 in El Cerrito, California. Before that, she worked for over 35 years at the University of California, Berkeley. She was a draftsman and illustrator in the Engineering Department. Her art continues to be remembered for its unique style and historical importance.