The Archives of Art Penson: A Guide
Collection Number: MS-3-38Fonds-level description created and electronic version prepared by Laurena Fredette, August 2006
Collection Level Description
Title: Art Penson fonds
Dates: 1977-2005
Extent: 143 drawings ; ca. 65 x 76 cm and smaller.
Art Penson was born and raised in Creston, British Columbia, and is now based in Ottawa. He became interested in theatrical design after joining the drama club at university where he was studying to be an art and music historian. He worked with the Bastion Theatre in Victoria and later went to the Kootenay School of Art in Nelson, BC. At Kootenay he won a scholarship to continue his studies at the Pasadena Playhouse in California.
Penson's relationship with Neptune goes back to the 1970s. He met his wife Barbara Howatt there and served as Head of Props in the 1971/1972 season before earning a Canada Council grant allowing him to study theatre in England for three years. Recently he has been a regular designer for Neptune under the artistic directorship of Ron Ulrich. He has designed costumes, sets, props, and furniture for productions of Jesus Christ Superstar, Chicago, Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show. His costume designs for this latter production won a Merritt Award in 2004.
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Fonds donated by Art Penson in 2005.
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This fonds consists of 143 set, furniture, and prop designs for Neptune sketched on paper ca. 65 x 76 cm and smaller.
Finding aid available onsite.
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For related material see also the Neptune Theatre fonds MS-3-1.
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[Identification of item], Art Penson fonds, MS-3-38, Box [box number], Folder [folder number], Dalhousie University Archives and Special Collections, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
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