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Joseph Garramone Kokoon Arts Club collection
Special Collections and Archives
Joseph Garramone Kokoon Arts Club collection
Special Collections and Archives
Joseph Garramone Kokoon Arts Club collection
| Repository: | Kent State University Libraries. Special Collections and Archives. |
| Title: | Joseph Garramone Kokoon Arts Club collection |
| Inclusive Date(s): | 1930-1963 |
| Author: | Finding aid prepared by Elizabeth Traina |
| Creation: | Finding aid encoded by Elizabeth Traina using the OhioLINK EAD Application in 2011 |
| Origination: | Garramone, Joseph |
| Extent: | 2.33 cubic feet (2 flat oversize boxes, 1 document case) |
| Physical Location: | 11th Floor |
| Finding Aid Identifier: | OhKeUSC0134 |
| Abstract: | This collection, dating from 1930-1963, contains artwork created by Joseph Garramone as well as correspondence related to his involvement in the Kokoon Arts Club of Cleveland, Ohio. |
| Language(s): | The records are in English |
Biography of Joseph Garramone
Born in Laurenzana, Italy in 1886, Joseph Garramone came to the United States with his family via New York from Naples in 1897. Upon arrival, the family settled in Cleveland, Ohio. Garramone attended grade school in Cleveland and subsequently, attended the Cleveland School of Art from 1904 through his graduation in 1907. He was awarded a scholarship to the New York School of Art and studied there under Robert Henri for two years. In 1909, after completing his education, Garramone returned to Cleveland and was employed at The Otis Lithograph Company, where the premier product of the time was commercial theatrical posters. In 1911, Garramone, along with several other artist colleagues at Otis Lithograph, founded the Kokoon Arts Club. Garramone also produced artwork independently, working from his home studio. His work was exhibited on several occasions in the May Show at the Cleveland Museum of Art. From approximately 1923 to 1948, Garramone and his wife Rose owned and managed The Pengwin, a restaurant, candy counter, bakery and soda fountain, located in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. Garramone died on November 28, 1963.
Scope and Content
This collection includes original artwork created by Joseph Garramone for the Kokoon Arts Club as well as various photographs and correspondence relating to his involvement in the organization. The artwork consists of drawings and paintings that were used as decoration for the Kokoon Arts Club's annual masquerade balls. The bulk of the correspondence dates from between 1949 to 1963, and includes original letters and postcards (some photocopies) from a number of artist acquaintances including William Zorach, August Biehle, Joe and Jerry Jicha, and a more extensive collection of letters from Hugo Robus.
Statement of Arrangement
The Joseph Garramone Kokoon Arts Club collection is organized by series as follows: Series 1: Personal Information; Series 2: Correspondence (with subseries arranged alphabetically by author); Series 3: Photographs; Series 4: Sketches and paintings (arranged chronologically, then alphabetically)
Related Material
Additional information related to the Kokoon Arts Club can be found in the Kokoon Arts Club and Philip Kaplan papers.
Processing Information
This collection was processed at the item level.
Preferred Citation
Joseph Garramone Kokoon Arts Club collection. Kent State University Libraries. Special Collections and Archives.
Acquisition Information
Joseph F. Garibotti, grandson of Joseph Garramone, donated this collection to Kent State University Special Collections and Archives on August 31, 2010.
Subject Headings
The following subjects are found in this collection:
| Subjects: | |
| Garramone, Joseph -- Archives. | |
| Kokoon Arts Club (Cleveland, Ohio) | |
| Art -- Ohio -- Cleveland -- Societies, etc. | |
| Art, Modern -- 20th century. | |
| Art, American -- Ohio -- Cleveland. | |
| Balls (Parties) -- Ohio -- Cleveland -- 20th century. | |
| Cleveland (Ohio) -- Social life and customs -- 20th century. | |
| Cleveland (Ohio) -- History -- 20th century. | |
| Painters -- Ohio -- Cleveland. | |
| Persons: | |
| Robus, Hugo, 1885-1964. | |
| Zorach, William, 1889-1966. | |
| Biehle, August F., 1885-1979. | |
| Jicha, Joseph, 1901-1960. | |
| Organizations/Corporations: | |
| Otis Lithograph Company. | |
| Kokoon Arts Club (Cleveland, Ohio) | |
| Functions: | |
| Art -- Societies, etc. -- Management. | |
| Places: | |
| Cleveland (Ohio) | |
| Occupations: | |
| Artists. | |
| Arts administrators. | |
| Material Types: | |
| Correspondence. | |
| Photographs. | |
| Drawings (visual works) | |
| Works of art. | |
| Paintings. | |
Detailed Description of the Collection
Series 1: Personal Information, 1963, undated
| Box 1 / Folder 1 |
| Biography of Joseph Garramone, undated |
| Box 1 / Folder 2 |
| Obituary of Joseph Garramone, 1963 |
Series 2: Correspondence, 1949-1963
Subseries 1: Letters from Hugo Robus, 1949-1963
| Box 1 / Folder 3 |
| Letter: Hugo Robus to Joseph Garramone, June 1, 1949 |
| Box 1 / Folder 4 |
| Letter: Hugo Robus to Joseph Garramone, March 5, 1950 |
| Box 1 / Folder 5 |
| Letter: Hugo Robus to Joseph Garramone, April 30, 1950 |
| Box 1 / Folder 6 |
| Letter: Hugo Robus to Jospeh Garramone, November 28, 1950 |
| Box 1 / Folder 7 |
| Letter: Hugo Robus to Joseph Garramone, March 28, 1951 |
| Box 1 / Folder 8 |
| Letter: Hugo Robus to Joseph Garramone, December 14, 1951 |
| Box 1 / Folder 9 |
| Letter: Hugo Robus to Joseph Garramone, October 14, 1954 |
| Box 1 / Folder 10 |
| Letter: Hugo Robus to Joseph Garramone, June 25, 1955 |
| Box 1 / Folder 11 |
| Letter: Hugo Robus to Joseph Garramone, December 31, 1958 |
| Box 1 / Folder 12 |
| Letter: Hugo Robus to Joseph Garramone, January 14, 1959 |
| Box 1 / Folder 13 |
| Letter: Hugo Robus to Joseph Garramone, February 14, 1959 |
| Box 1 / Folder 14 |
| Letter: Hugo Robus to Joseph Garramone, March 20, 1959 |
| Box 1 / Folder 15 |
| Letter: Hugo Robus to Joseph Garramone, May 27, 1959 |
| Box 1 / Folder 16 |
| Letter: Hugo Robus to Joseph Garramone, July 15, 1959 |
| Box 1 / Folder 17 |
| Letter: Hugo Robus to Joseph Garramone, October 17, 1959 |
| Box 1 / Folder 18 |
| Letter: Hugo Robus to Joseph Garramone, January 3, 1960 |
| Box 1 / Folder 19 |
| Letter: Hugo Robus to Joseph Garramone, May 16, 1960 |
| Box 1 / Folder 20 |
| Letter: Hugo Robus to Joseph Garramone, August 10, 1960 |
| Box 1 / Folder 21 |
| Letter: Hugo Robus to Joseph Garramone, August 16, 1960 |
| Box 1 / Folder 22 |
| Letter: Hugo Robus to Joseph Garramone, November 3, 1960 |
| Box 1 / Folder 23 |
| Letter: Hugo Robus to Joseph Garramone, February 22, 1961 |
| Box 1 / Folder 24 |
| Letter: Hugo Robus to Joseph Garramone, May 18, 1961 |
| Box 1 / Folder 25 |
| Letter: Hugo Robus to Joseph Garramone, July 31, 1961 |
| Box 1 / Folder 26 |
| Letter: Hugo Robus to Joseph Garramone, August 11, 1961 |
| Box 1 / Folder 27 |
| Letter: Hugo Robus to Joseph Garramone, September 25, 1961 |
| Box 1 / Folder 28 |
| Letter: Hugo Robus to Joseph Garramone, January 15, 1962 |
| Box 1 / Folder 29 |
| Letter: Hugo Robus to Joseph Garramone, June 4, 1962 |
| Box 1 / Folder 30 |
| Letter: Hugo Robus to Joseph Garramone, July 19, 1962 |
| Box 1 / Folder 31 |
| Letter: Hugo Robus to Joseph Garramone, August 21, 1962 |
| Box 1 / Folder 32 |
| Letter: Hugo Robus to Joseph Garramone, September 26, 1962 |
| Box 1 / Folder 33 |
| Letter: Hugo Robus to Joseph Garramone, January 19, 1963 |
| Box 1 / Folder 34 |
| Letter: Hugo Robus to Joseph Garramone, March 6, 1963 |
| Box 1 / Folder 35 |
| Letter: Hugo Robus to Joseph Garramone, May 15, 1963 |
| Box 1 / Folder 36 |
| Letter: Hugo Robus to Joseph Garramone, October 25, 1963 |
| Box 1 / Folder 37 |
| Letter: Hugo Robus to Joseph Garramone, December 23, 1963 |
Subseries 2: Letters from William Zorach, 1950-1962
| Box 1 / Folder 38 |
| Letter: William Zorach to Joseph Garramone, January 12, 1950 |
| Physical Description: Photocopy |
| Box 1 / Folder 39 |
| Letter: William Zorach to Joseph Garramone, March 2, 1962 |
| Physical Description: Photocopy |
| Box 1 / Folder 40 |
| Postcard: William Zorach to Joseph Garramone, March 6, 1962 |
| Physical Description: Photocopy |
| Box 1 / Folder 41 |
| Postcard: William Zorach to Joseph Garramone, March 23, 1962 |
| Physical Description: Photocopy |
Subseries 3: Miscellaneous Correspondence, undated
| Box 1 / Folder 42 |
| Christmas card from August Biehle to Joseph and Rose Garramone, undated |
| Box 1 / Folder 43 |
| Letter: Holiday greetings from Joe and Jerry Jicha to Joseph and Rose Garramone, undated |
Series 3: Photographs, undated
| Box 1 / Folder 44 |
| Photograph of Kokoon Club Bal group, including Joseph and Rose Garramone, undated |
| Box 1 / Folder 45 |
| Photograph of William Zorach (L) and Joseph Garramone (R) at Otis Lithography Company, Cleveland, Ohio, undated |
Series 4: Sketches and Paintings, 1930, undated
| Box 2 / Folder 1 |
| Female figure, 1930 |
| Physical Description: Pencil and pastel on canvas board |
| Box 2 / Folder 2 |
| Male figure, back view, 1931 |
| Physical Description: Watercolor sketch |
| Box 2 / Folder 3 |
| Ballet figure, undated |
| Physical Description: Ink and pencil sketch |
| Box 2 / Folder 4 |
| "Bal Masque", undated |
| Physical Description: Painting |
| Box 2 / Folder 5 |
| "Design for Kookoon Club" [sic], undated |
| Physical Description: Pencil sketch |
| Box 2 / Folder 6 |
| "Figure #1", undated |
| Physical Description: Painting |
| Box 2 / Folder 7 |
| Female figure, undated |
| Physical Description: Painted pencil sketch |
| Box 2 / Folder 8 |
| Female dancing figure, undated |
| Physical Description: Ink and pencil sketch |
| Box 3 / Folder 1 |
| Figure sounding horn, undated |
| Physical Description: Pastel |
| Box 3 / Folder 2 |
| "Kookoon Ball" [sic] stylized face, undated |
| Physical Description: Painting |
| Box 3 / Folder 3 |
| "Kookoon Club" [sic] Devil-like face, undated |
| Physical Description: Painting |
| Box 3 / Folder 4 |
| "Kookoon Club Ball" [sic] stylized face, undated |
| Physical Description: Painting |
| Box 3 / Folder 5 |
| "Kookoon Club Bal Decoration" [sic], undated |
| Physical Description: Painting |
| Box 3 / Folder 6 |
| Kokoon Club Bal decoration, undated |
| Physical Description: Painting |
| Box 3 / Folder 7 |
| "Sketch - Kookoon Arts Club Poster" [sic], undated |
| Physical Description: Pencil sketch |
| Box 3 / Folder 8 |
| Turkish dancing figures, undated |
| Physical Description: Pencil sketch and paint on board |
