Category: Midwestern States Trips

Travels of a Scenic Artist and Scholar: The Omaha Scottish Rite, 2021

I am still on break from daily posts, as my wrists will not allow me any extended periods of typing or surfing the internet. I have posted a few pictures of my most recent adventures to my Facebook Group “Dry Pigment,” but with minimal text. It may be another month before I return to any daily blogging.

That being said, last week I visited the Omaha Scottish Rite (Nebraska, USA) to evaluate their scenery collection. In 1996, the Valley of Omaha purchased the used scenery collection from the Scottish Rite Theatre in Kansas City, Kansas. It replaced their original scenery collection, manufactured by the Sosman & Landis Scene Painting Studio of Chicago between 1914 and 1915.

The current scenery used at the Omaha Scottish Rite was painted by Maj. Don Carlos DuBois (1886-1964), representing the Great Western Stage Equipment Co. Collection of Kansas City, Missouri. Many of the drops are signed and dated by DuBois, c. 1951-1953. It is truly a lovely collection.

Some of DuBois’ original designs for Masonic scenes are part of the Great Western Stage Equipment Co. Collection in the Performing Arts Archives at the University of Minnesota. Over thirty years ago I processed the collection, and in 1999 helped digitize the scenery collections and get them online. Here is the link for the scenery database:

https://umedia.lib.umn.edu/search?facet_field=collection_name_s&facets%5Bcollection_name_s%5D%5B%5D=Scenic+Collections

Although I have written extensively about DuBois (born Don Carlos Boyes) in the past, it is important to note that he grew up in Seward, Nebraska. It was not until 1900 that DuBois moved to Chicago and became a scenic artist. It is remarkable that his scenic art is now featured in Omaha, only an hour’s drive from where he grew up.

It may be a while before I post again. Hopefully, I will be back by the end of June or mid-July. Have a wonderful summer!

Scenery painted by Maj. Don Carlos DuBois in 1952, now used at the Omaha Scottish Rite.
DuBois design for the Scottish Rite scene now at the Omaha Scottish Rite.
Scenery painted by Maj. Don Carlos DuBois in 1952, now used at the Omaha Scottish Rite.
DuBois signature and date on this scene at the Omaha Scottish Rite.
Painted detail from the leg drop painted by DuBois in 1952.

Travels of a Scenic Artist and Scholar: The Chicago Lyric Opera Collection in DeKalb, Illinois

Update: The building that housed this collection was sold without the University disclosing the contents. The fate of these historic stage artifacts remain unknown at this time.

Scenic art examples from the Scenery Collection, stored in the Arts Annex of the College of Visual and Performing Arts at Northern Illinois University.

The Scenic Collection includes elements from the settings of 90 operas, with approximately 900 backdrops and borders and more than 2200 framed scenic units. The stage settings illustrate an exceptional range of production styles between 1889 and 1932. In addition to the scenery there are 3 dimensional units including furniture and properties. Furthermore, the collection is supported by an extraordinary archive of production notebooks, property lists, inventories, expense records, performance time sheets, correspondence, original photographs of the sets, selected costumes, and opera stars of the period, ground plans and blueprints, painters elevations and renderings, original costume and set design drawings, and 120 exquisitely painted and detailed ¼” scale maquettes of the settings.

Unfortunately, some of the scenery has been damaged since initial documentation. The roof leaks and flooding is a problem due to non-working sump pumps.

Maquette
Scenic flats for stage setting.
Detail of scenic flat for stage setting.
Detail of scenic flat for stage setting.

Travels of a Scenic Artist and Scholar: The Chicago Lyric Opera Collection in DeKalb, Illinois


Update: The building that housed this collection was sold without the University disclosing the contents. The fate of these historic stage artifacts remain unknown at this time.

Scenic art examples from the Scenery Collection, stored in the Arts Annex of the College of Visual and Performing Arts at Northern Illinois University.

The Scenic Collection includes elements from the settings of 90 operas, with approximately 900 backdrops and borders and more than 2200 framed scenic units. The stage settings illustrate an exceptional range of production styles between 1889 and 1932. In addition to the scenery there are 3 dimensional units including furniture and properties. Furthermore, the collection is supported by an extraordinary archive of production notebooks, property lists, inventories, expense records, performance time sheets, correspondence, original photographs of the sets, selected costumes, and opera stars of the period, ground plans and blueprints, painters elevations and renderings, original costume and set design drawings, and 120 exquisitely painted and detailed ¼” scale maquettes of the settings.

Unfortunately, some of the scenery has been damaged since initial documentation. The roof leaks and flooding is a problem due to non-working sump pumps.

Travels of a Scenic Artist and Scholar: The Chicago Lyric Opera Collection in DeKalb, Illinois


Update: The building that housed this collection was sold without the University disclosing the contents. The fate of these historic stage artifacts remain unknown at this time.

Maquette and scenic pieces from the Scenery Collection, stored in the Arts Annex of the College of Visual and Performing Arts at Northern Illinois University.

The Scenic Collection includes elements from the settings of 90 operas, with approximately 900 backdrops and borders and more than 2200 framed scenic units. The stage settings illustrate an exceptional range of production styles between 1889 and 1932. In addition to the scenery there are 3 dimensional units including furniture and properties. Furthermore, the collection is supported by an extraordinary archive of production notebooks, property lists, inventories, expense records, performance time sheets, correspondence, original photographs of the sets, selected costumes, and opera stars of the period, ground plans and blueprints, painters elevations and renderings, original costume and set design drawings, and 120 exquisitely painted and detailed ¼” scale maquettes of the settings.

Unfortunately, some of the scenery has been damaged since initial documentation. The roof leaks and flooding is a problem due to non-working sump pumps.

Travels of a Scenic Artist and Scholar: The Chicago Lyric Opera Collection in DeKalb, Illinois

Update: The building that housed this collection was sold without the University disclosing the contents. The fate of these historic stage artifacts remain unknown at this time.

Scenic art examples from the Scenery Collection, stored in the Arts Annex of the College of Visual and Performing Arts at Northern Illinois University.

The Scenic Collection includes elements from the settings of 90 operas, with approximately 900 backdrops and borders and more than 2200 framed scenic units. The stage settings illustrate an exceptional range of production styles between 1889 and 1932. In addition to the scenery there are 3 dimensional units including furniture and properties. Furthermore, the collection is supported by an extraordinary archive of production notebooks, property lists, inventories, expense records, performance time sheets, correspondence, original photographs of the sets, selected costumes, and opera stars of the period, ground plans and blueprints, painters elevations and renderings, original costume and set design drawings, and 120 exquisitely painted and detailed ¼” scale maquettes of the settings.

Unfortunately, some of the scenery has been damaged since initial documentation. The roof leaks and flooding is a problem due to non-working sump pumps

Travels of a Scenic Artist and Scholar: The Chicago Lyric Opera Collection in DeKalb, Illinois

Update: The building that housed this collection was sold without the University disclosing the contents. The fate of these historic stage artifacts remain unknown at this time.

Scenic art examples from the Scenery Collection, stored in the Arts Annex of the College of Visual and Performing Arts at Northern Illinois University.

The Scenic Collection includes elements from the settings of 90 operas, with approximately 900 backdrops and borders and more than 2200 framed scenic units. The stage settings illustrate an exceptional range of production styles between 1889 and 1932. In addition to the scenery there are 3 dimensional units including furniture and properties. Furthermore, the collection is supported by an extraordinary archive of production notebooks, property lists, inventories, expense records, performance time sheets, correspondence, original photographs of the sets, selected costumes, and opera stars of the period, ground plans and blueprints, painters elevations and renderings, original costume and set design drawings, and 120 exquisitely painted and detailed ¼” scale maquettes of the settings.

Unfortunately, some of the scenery has been damaged since initial documentation. The roof leaks and flooding is a problem due to non-working sump pumps.

Travels of a Scenic Artist and Scholar: The Chicago Lyric Opera Collection in DeKalb, Illinois

Update: The building that housed this collection was sold without the University disclosing the contents. The fate of these historic stage artifacts remain unknown at this time.

Maquette and scenic pieces from the Scenery Collection, stored in the Arts Annex of the College of Visual and Performing Arts at Northern Illinois University.

The Scenic Collection includes elements from the settings of 90 operas, with approximately 900 backdrops and borders and more than 2200 framed scenic units. The stage settings illustrate an exceptional range of production styles between 1889 and 1932. In addition to the scenery there are 3 dimensional units including furniture and properties. Furthermore, the collection is supported by an extraordinary archive of production notebooks, property lists, inventories, expense records, performance time sheets, correspondence, original photographs of the sets, selected costumes, and opera stars of the period, ground plans and blueprints, painters elevations and renderings, original costume and set design drawings, and 120 exquisitely painted and detailed ¼” scale maquettes of the settings.

Unfortunately, some of the scenery has been damaged since initial documentation. The roof leaks and flooding is a problem due to non-working sump pumps.

Travels of a Scenic Artist and Scholar: The Chicago Lyric Opera Collection in DeKalb, Illinois


Update: The building that housed this collection was sold without the University disclosing the contents. The fate of these historic stage artifacts remain unknown at this time.

Maquette and setting from the Scenery Collection, stored in the Arts Annex of the College of Visual and Performing Arts at Northern Illinois University.

The Scenic Collection includes elements from the settings of 90 operas, with approximately 900 backdrops and borders and more than 2200 framed scenic units. The stage settings illustrate an exceptional range of production styles between 1889 and 1932. In addition to the scenery there are 3 dimensional units including furniture and properties. Furthermore, the collection is supported by an extraordinary archive of production notebooks, property lists, inventories, expense records, performance time sheets, correspondence, original photographs of the sets, selected costumes, and opera stars of the period, ground plans and blueprints, painters elevations and renderings, original costume and set design drawings, and 120 exquisitely painted and detailed ¼” scale maquettes of the settings.

Unfortunately, some of the scenery has been damaged since initial documentation. The roof leaks and flooding is a problem due to non-working sump pumps.

Travels of a Scenic Artist and Scholar: The Chicago Lyric Opera Collection in DeKalb, Illinois

Update: The building that housed this collection was sold without the University disclosing the contents. The fate of these historic stage artifacts remain unknown at this time.

Scenic art examples from the Scenery Collection, stored in the Arts Annex of the College of Visual and Performing Arts at Northern Illinois University.

The Scenic Collection includes elements from the settings of 90 operas, with approximately 900 backdrops and borders and more than 2200 framed scenic units. The stage settings illustrate an exceptional range of production styles between 1889 and 1932. In addition to the scenery there are 3 dimensional units including furniture and properties. Furthermore, the collection is supported by an extraordinary archive of production notebooks, property lists, inventories, expense records, performance time sheets, correspondence, original photographs of the sets, selected costumes, and opera stars of the period, ground plans and blueprints, painters elevations and renderings, original costume and set design drawings, and 120 exquisitely painted and detailed ¼” scale maquettes of the settings.

Unfortunately, some of the scenery has been damaged since initial documentation. The roof leaks and flooding is a problem due to non-working sump pumps.

Maquette
Maquette
Cut drop
Backdrop
Border
Border detail.

Travels of a Scenic Artist and Scholar: The Chicago Lyric Opera Collection in DeKalb, Illinois

Update: The building that housed this collection was sold without the University disclosing the contents. The fate of these historic stage artifacts remain unknown at this time.

Scenic art examples from the Scenery Collection, stored in the Arts Annex of the College of Visual and Performing Arts at Northern Illinois University.

The Scenic Collection includes elements from the settings of 90 operas, with approximately 900 backdrops and borders and more than 2200 framed scenic units. The stage settings illustrate an exceptional range of production styles between 1889 and 1932. In addition to the scenery there are 3 dimensional units including furniture and properties. Furthermore, the collection is supported by an extraordinary archive of production notebooks, property lists, inventories, expense records, performance time sheets, correspondence, original photographs of the sets, selected costumes, and opera stars of the period, ground plans and blueprints, painters elevations and renderings, original costume and set design drawings, and 120 exquisitely painted and detailed ¼” scale maquettes of the settings.

Unfortunately, some of the scenery has been damaged since initial documentation. The roof leaks and flooding is a problem due to non-working sump pumps.