The Famous Photographers School is long gone. (So is the business that bought its Wilton Road headquarters: Save the Children.)
But — more than 40 years after it closed — some of its most famous photographs live on.
Yale University Art Gallery has bought Famous Photographers’ entire archive. Images, course books, advertisements — all are now housed in New Haven. A small exhibit from the archive is on display now.
After Famous Photographers School — and its cousins, Famous Artists and Famous Writers Schools — closed in 1974, thousands of artifacts gathered dust. Jeffrey Price — a Norwalk business owner — found the Famous Photographers archive, and restored it.
Among the most famous Famous Photographers faculty: Richard Avedon, Joseph Costa, Alfred Eisenstaedt, Phillippe Halsman, Irving Penn, Ezra Stoller, and Bert Stern.
This iconic photo of Sid Caesar and Imogene Coca was taken by Famous Artists School founder Victor Keppler. The renowned photographer lived in Westport until his death in 1987 at 83. This image is now part of the Westport Schools Permanent Art Collection.
(Hat tip: Wally Meyer)
Famous Artists School lives on, though not for much longer. http://arthomestudy.com The man behind the purchase of and resurrection of the Famous schools, Robert Livesey, died on February 7, 2015 (at 95) and the decision was made by the family to wind down FAS, closing for good once all the enrolled students complete their courses (I think in October of this year). Online access to the digital editions of the wonderful course texts will continue to be available even after FAS shuts down, though.
Great piece! But unlike the Famous Photographers School, Save the Children isn’t gone! We’ve just moved down the road to Fairfield!
You know I meant “gone from Wilton Road.” But you’re right: it was poorly stated!
And – not to forget – Weston resident and famous photographer (Marilyn Monroe) Milton H. GREENE
Imogene Coca lived in Westport at the end of her life. She suffered from Alzheimer’s and didn’t go out much.