BRITISH COLUMBIA ARTISTS  

Dorothy Alcorn Burnett

January 16 1907 - October 8 1992

Vancouver School of Decorative and Applied Arts (Diploma 1930)
Vancouver School of Art Graduates' Association


Dorothy Burnett was born in Vancouver. Both of her parents were from New Brunswick. She was an early graduate from the Vancouver School of Decorative and Applied Arts, receiving her diploma in Design and Decorative Arts in 1930 in the school's second graduating class.

The Spring 1936 edition of The Smock Pocket, the Vancouver School of Art Graduates' Association newsletter, noted that she "has been in San Francisco specializing in Hand Book-binding." She was co-editor of The Smock Pocket with Frances Gatewood, and was also sharing a studio at the Craft Centre Studio at 575 Dunsmuir Street with Gatewood.

Amphora, the journal of the Alcuin Society, had an article on Burnett's work in issue 79, March 1990. A number of her fine book bindings comprise the Dorothy Burnett Fine Bindings Collection in the University of British Columbia Special Collections, and the article devotes a two page review to her work that is held there. After leaving the art school in Vancouver she studied at the California College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland, and at the studio of Herbert and Peter Fahey in San Francisco. Her work was exhibited in Vancouver, New York, and San Francisco among other places. The article stated that Burnett "possesses the essential characteristics of a truly fine bookbinder."

Burnett died in Vancouver in 1992 at the age of 85, occupation noted as retired artist/bookbinding. She was single.


GROUP EXHIBITIONS
DATE EXHIBITION ARTWORK
1933 May 3 - 18 VAG   VSAGA 1st Annual Exhibition Tray Cloth
Bridge Table Cover
Ottoman Cover
Novelty Box
1937 Nov. 2 - 14 VAG   VSAGA Group Exhibition (Morocco bindings)

References - BIBLIOGRAPHY

Refer to BIBLIO.

References - GROUP EXHIBITIONS

88 ARTISTS FROM 88 YEARS (refer to ECU17)

References - GENERAL

Pass List - Session 1929-30
   Vancouver School of Decorative and Applied Arts PROSPECTUS for 1930-31.

BRITISH COLUMBIA - A CENTENNIAL ANTHOLOGY (refer to BCCA58)

Discoveries, by Susan Andrews, Special Collections, UBC Library
     Published in Amphora, Issue 79, March 1990, pages 8 & 9
     Amphora is the quarterly journal of the Alcuin Society
     The article is a 2 page review of Burnett's fine bindings in the UBC Library Collection

BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX OF ARTISTS IN CANADA (refer to BIAC03)
     1 reference to Burnett.

B.C. VITAL STATISTICS ON-LINE death (refer to BCVS)

Clippings

"The most exquisite hand book-binding is being done in this studio. Dorothy Burnett has chosen this rare and ancient craft. A connoisseur of a well-bound book or a lover of rare collections would be well repaid for a visit here, where an entire book can be made, a cherished old one re-bound or a new one bound."
      From "GRADUATES IN ART" by Cintra
      (unknown newspaper), April 25 1936

"In the handicraft sections Dorothy Burnett's work is (sic) tooled fine bookbinding is appreciated. A demand has arisen for illuminated books, and some of the Morocco bindings exhibited are works of art."
      From "ART GRADUATES HAVE EXCELLENT EXHIBITION"
      News-Herald November 3 1937

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