Jack Vargas papers
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Scope and Contents
The collection is comprised primarily of Vargas' personal and family records. It also contains sketchbooks, notebooks, audiovisual materials, and ephemera.
Dates
- Creation: 1913-2003
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open to researchers. There are no access restrictions.
Conditions Governing Use
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the ONE Archivist. Permission for publication is given on behalf of ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives at USC Libraries as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.
Biographical / Historical
Jack A. Vargas was an internationally exhibited Chicano artist and arts librarian at the Los Angeles Public Library.
Born in 1952 in Santa Paula, California, Vargas found self-expression through art from an early age. He received a bachelor’s degree in fine arts at Cal State Long Beach and a bachelor’s degree from Otis Art Institute in Fine Arts. He used painting, video and film to explore Chicano issues and to explore the nature of beauty. Vargas’ work was displayed in exhibits at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the University of Illinois and the Academy of Arts in Liverpool, England.
Vargas was also active in his community and church, working to raise people's consciousness about LGBTQ+ issues and giving presentations on diversity and homophobia.
Vargas received a master’s degree in library science from UCLA. In 1985, he was hired as an arts librarian at the Los Angeles Public Library, where he worked until he death of AIDS-related illness in 1995.
Extent
3.75 Linear Feet (3 boxes.)
Language of Materials
English
Spanish; Castilian
Abstract
Jack A. Vargas was an internationally exhibited Chicano artist and arts librarian at the Los Angeles Public Library. His collection is comprised of personal and family records, sketchbooks, notebooks, and ephemera.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged alphabetically
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Roberto Vargas, 2017.
Processing Information
Collection processed by Beth McDonald, 2022.
- Title
- Finding aid to the Jack Vargas Papers, 1913-2003
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Beth McDonald
- Date
- © 2022
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the ONE Archives at the USC Libraries, University of Southern California Repository
909 West Adams Boulevard
Los Angeles California 90007 United States
(213) 821-2771
askone@usc.edu