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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
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
