Collection inventory

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John Vargo Papers

An inventory his papers at the Syracuse University Archives

Finding aid created by: Steffi Chappell
Date: 2014

Revision history:

Biography

John Vargo was born in Cleveland, Ohio on August 9, 1929. He enrolled at the Cleveland Institute of Art in 1948 and graduated in 1951 with a major in illustration and a minor in painting. Upon graduation, Vargo began working in Cleveland as an illustrator for an advertising art studio. He also gained recognition as a watercolor painter by exhibiting his work in local art shows.

Syracuse University hired Vargo in 1958 as head of the illustration program in the School of Art. When Vargo began teaching, he was the only illustration professor for a program with twelve students. The program quickly grew under his direction, reaching a peak enrollment of over 150 students in the early 1970s. With the growth in enrollment, Vargo was responsible for restructuring the curriculum to accommodate the needs of students. He split the courses up by class level in order to help the students better develop their skills. Vargo also introduced silk-screening into the illustration program curriculum. This was an important medium for students to learn because it allowed them to print their own promotional materials that they could then leave with prospective employers.

In 1973 the School of Art began the MFA Independent Study Degree Program (ISDP) in illustration, a program that grew in popularity over the next few decades. Vargo was instrumental in the development of the ISDP, which provided professionals with the opportunity to obtain a master’s degree in illustration without having to leave their jobs and reside on the Syracuse University campus for an extended period of time. Students in the program met on the SU campus for a two-week session three summers in a row and met in various cities across the country for one or two day sessions throughout the year. Professional illustrators served as faculty for the program. While the ISDP struggled in its first year, by 1990 it had a waiting list and enrollment had to be capped at twenty-two students. The program was closed in 2008, yet the number of letters sent to Vargo by former students sincerely thanking him for the opportunities he provided in the program are testaments to both Vargo's and the ISDP’s impact.

While teaching at Syracuse University, Vargo also worked as a professional illustrator and painter. He displayed his work in a number of exhibitions, often in Central New York, and he won many awards for his illustrations. Along with adorning University publications and promotional materials, Vargo’s illustrations were published in many nationally-recognized magazines, including Ladies Home Journal, Reader’s Digest, Beckett Baseball Card Monthly, and Audubon. In 1959 Vargo began working as an art director and illustrator for T. A. Best Advertising, based in Skaneateles, New York, a position he held until 1973. In this capacity Vargo learned about animation and designed, directed, and produced a large number of animated commercials.

Vargo resigned from his position as the director of the illustration program in 1991 and retired from Syracuse University in December of 1992 after thirty-four years of teaching. During his career he had a huge impact on the education of thousands of students, many who had impressive careers working after graduation. Vargo helped to bring national recognition to the University’s illustration program.

John Vargo died on May 8, 2000 in Syracuse, New York.

Scope and Content Note

The John Vargo Papers are divided into six series: Correspondence, Exhibition Materials, Slides, Student Artwork, Subject Files, and Teaching Materials.

The Correspondence series contains letters that date from Vargo’s career at Syracuse University. Some correspondence, such as letters from Syracuse University Chancellors and deans, has been separated into individual folders, yet most of the series is made up of general correspondence. There is also one folder of many letters and cards written to Vargo by current and former students.

The Exhibition Materials series contains brochures, correspondence, and other information pertaining to exhibitions in which Vargo displayed his artwork over an almost forty-year period.

The Slides series contains a large number of slides, including examples of student work, images Vargo used while teaching, and photographs of students and faculty members. The artists of many of the examples of student work are identified.

The Student Artwork series contains a large selection of illustrations and paintings produced by Vargo’s students for his illustration classes. Included in this series are illustrations made by fashion designer Betsey Johnson '64 during her time as a student at Syracuse University.

The Subject Files series contains materials relating to Vargo’s career as an educator at Syracuse University and as a professional illustrator. Highlights of this series include many clippings collected by Vargo over the years, papers relating to commissions Vargo worked on for Reader's Digest, a number of folders pertaining to alumni of the Syracuse University illustration program, folders documenting Hallmark Cards' relationship with the program, and materials pertaining to evaluations Vargo was asked to make of illustration programs at other universities.

The Teaching Materials series contains materials directly relating to illustration classes taught by Vargo at Syracuse University. These include many assignments, notes, handouts, materials relating to the Independent Study Degree Program in illustration, and correspondence and notes pertaining to the Visiting Artist Program in illustration.

Restrictions

Access Restrictions:

Please note that the collection is housed off-site, and advance notice is required to allow time to have the materials brought to the Reading Room on campus.

Use Restrictions:

Written permission must be obtained from University Archives,
Special Collections Research Center
Syracuse University Libraries and all relevant rights holders before publishing quotations, excerpts or images from any materials in this collection.

Related Material

In addition to these papers, the Syracuse University Archives holds a clippings file and a portrait file on John Vargo, and the SU Art Galleries has a number of drawings and prints by Vargo. You may visit their website for more information.

Selected Search Terms

Names

Vargo, John, 1929-2000.
Syracuse University -- Faculty.
Syracuse University -- History.
Syracuse University.

Subjects

Illustration.
College teachers.
Higher education.

Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Preferred citation for this material is as follows:

John Vargo Papers,
University Archives,
Special Collections Research Center
Syracuse University Libraries

Acquisition Information

John Vargo donated his papers to the Syracuse University Archives in 1994.

Processing Information

The materials have been processed and rehoused in acid-free boxes. Some materials were removed from binders and placed in acid-free folders.

Arrangement

The items are arranged in alphabetical order.

Table of Contents

Correspondence

Exhibition Materials

Slides

Student Artwork

Subject Files

Teaching Materials

Inventory