Andy Wootten Collection
Title
Andy Wootten Collection
Description
The Andy Wootten Collection Professional artist - his work in Winter Park was ubiquitous
Andy Wootten was born on August 9, 1912, in Lafayette, Georgia. His parents were Andrew J. and Lucy B. Wootten. In 1920, the family moved to Chattanooga, Tennessee, where Andy attended public schools.
In the late 1920's, when Wootten was about sixteen years old, Paramount Theaters, Inc. hired him to draw and paint "lobby posters." Hand-painted lobby posters were "on-the-cutting-edge" advertising at this time and only found at the finer theaters. Wootten painted for Paramount's three Chattanooga theaters: the Tivoli, Rialto, and State, the Tivoli being the largest and finest.
On their web page, the City of Chattanooga has photographs and a short history of the Tivoli Theater. The following is taken from their web page. "The Tivoli Theater opened on March 19, 1921 following two years of construction. Construction cost was close to $1 million...a lavish sum for its day. The Tivoli's interior reflects the Beaux Arts style popular for movie palaces of the 1920's.
Its high-domed ceiling, grand lobby, crystal chandeliers and elegant foyer were designed to transport patrons to a world of richness and splendor. Designed by the Chicago-based architectural firm of Rapp and Rapp, the Tivoli was built to accommodate both silent movies and live stage productions, making it state-of-the-art for its time. More innovations followed. In 1924 a $30,000 Wurlitzer organ was installed. The Tivoli became one of the first public buildings in the country to be air conditioned. In 1926, Paramount Studios bought the Tivoli, making it part of the Paramount-Publix Theater chain."
Popular films of the period included: "The Jazz Singer" (1927), "Tarzan, the Ape Man" (1932, "Mutiny on the Bounty" (1935), "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" (1937), "Gone With the Wind" (1939), "Pinocchio" (1940), and "Fantasia" (1941).
During World War II, (1942 - 1946), Wootten served in the U.S. Coast Guard, 7th Naval District, Miami, Fl. His artistic and creative talents were used in Coast Guard publications, and in designing and building Coast Guard recruiting exhibits. The January, 1944 and the February, 1945 issues of "U.S. Coast Guard Magazine" featured covers created by Wootten.
After his tour of duty with the U.S. Coast Guard, Wootten came to Central Florida and returned to painting lobby posters for the "Beacham, Vogue, and Roxy" theaters in Orlando, and the "Baby Grand" and "Colony" theaters, in Winter Park. In addition to his "theater art" he began expanding his work to include commercial sign painting and interior design work.
In 1946 Wootten rented ($15.00 per month) the second floor of the building at Park and New England Avenues. From this location he operated the Andy Wootten Studios, later purchasing property and relocating to Clay Street. His clients included: R. C. Baker Men's Clothing, Kummer Lumber, Bumby Hardware, Winter Park Land Company, Barbizon Restaurant, Cottrell's 5 and 10 Cent Store, The Golden Cricket, Taylor's Drug Store, Baldwin Hardware, Greeneda Court, Imperial House, Baggett's, the Rune Stone and other Winter Park businesses.
In the Orlando area his clients included: Crum's Fuel Oil, Heintzelman's Ford, L.A. Johnson Fuel Oil, Holloway Concrete, The Shoe Box, Tupperware, and several area banks.
One of Wootten's fondest memories, and a tradition still enjoyed by Winter Parker's, was the creation of Christmas Card Lane. Wootten remembers visiting Davis Island (Tampa area) where he saw a "Christmas Card lane". He thought the concept would work in Winter Park and approached the Chamber of Commerce. Paint and a few supplies were provided for the project. A number of the local merchants became involved. Wootten remembers cutting sheets of plywood into 4 X 4 foot squares, drawing Christmas scenes onto the plywood Christmas cards. Volunteers would gather at a garage located behind the Barbizon Restaurant and paint the Christmas Cards. The Christmas cards pictured reindeer, Santa Claus, Christmas bells, and other seasonal scenes. Many Winter Park citizens assisted with the project but Edith Tadd Little, Newton Merrill, Jim Holloway, and Tom Ferris, particularly, gave a great deal of time and energy to the project. Brackets for the cards were designed and made by Gene Beeler. City work crews hung the cards.
Andy Wooten passed away July 29, 2012.
Andy Wootten was born on August 9, 1912, in Lafayette, Georgia. His parents were Andrew J. and Lucy B. Wootten. In 1920, the family moved to Chattanooga, Tennessee, where Andy attended public schools.
In the late 1920's, when Wootten was about sixteen years old, Paramount Theaters, Inc. hired him to draw and paint "lobby posters." Hand-painted lobby posters were "on-the-cutting-edge" advertising at this time and only found at the finer theaters. Wootten painted for Paramount's three Chattanooga theaters: the Tivoli, Rialto, and State, the Tivoli being the largest and finest.
On their web page, the City of Chattanooga has photographs and a short history of the Tivoli Theater. The following is taken from their web page. "The Tivoli Theater opened on March 19, 1921 following two years of construction. Construction cost was close to $1 million...a lavish sum for its day. The Tivoli's interior reflects the Beaux Arts style popular for movie palaces of the 1920's.
Its high-domed ceiling, grand lobby, crystal chandeliers and elegant foyer were designed to transport patrons to a world of richness and splendor. Designed by the Chicago-based architectural firm of Rapp and Rapp, the Tivoli was built to accommodate both silent movies and live stage productions, making it state-of-the-art for its time. More innovations followed. In 1924 a $30,000 Wurlitzer organ was installed. The Tivoli became one of the first public buildings in the country to be air conditioned. In 1926, Paramount Studios bought the Tivoli, making it part of the Paramount-Publix Theater chain."
Popular films of the period included: "The Jazz Singer" (1927), "Tarzan, the Ape Man" (1932, "Mutiny on the Bounty" (1935), "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" (1937), "Gone With the Wind" (1939), "Pinocchio" (1940), and "Fantasia" (1941).
During World War II, (1942 - 1946), Wootten served in the U.S. Coast Guard, 7th Naval District, Miami, Fl. His artistic and creative talents were used in Coast Guard publications, and in designing and building Coast Guard recruiting exhibits. The January, 1944 and the February, 1945 issues of "U.S. Coast Guard Magazine" featured covers created by Wootten.
After his tour of duty with the U.S. Coast Guard, Wootten came to Central Florida and returned to painting lobby posters for the "Beacham, Vogue, and Roxy" theaters in Orlando, and the "Baby Grand" and "Colony" theaters, in Winter Park. In addition to his "theater art" he began expanding his work to include commercial sign painting and interior design work.
In 1946 Wootten rented ($15.00 per month) the second floor of the building at Park and New England Avenues. From this location he operated the Andy Wootten Studios, later purchasing property and relocating to Clay Street. His clients included: R. C. Baker Men's Clothing, Kummer Lumber, Bumby Hardware, Winter Park Land Company, Barbizon Restaurant, Cottrell's 5 and 10 Cent Store, The Golden Cricket, Taylor's Drug Store, Baldwin Hardware, Greeneda Court, Imperial House, Baggett's, the Rune Stone and other Winter Park businesses.
In the Orlando area his clients included: Crum's Fuel Oil, Heintzelman's Ford, L.A. Johnson Fuel Oil, Holloway Concrete, The Shoe Box, Tupperware, and several area banks.
One of Wootten's fondest memories, and a tradition still enjoyed by Winter Parker's, was the creation of Christmas Card Lane. Wootten remembers visiting Davis Island (Tampa area) where he saw a "Christmas Card lane". He thought the concept would work in Winter Park and approached the Chamber of Commerce. Paint and a few supplies were provided for the project. A number of the local merchants became involved. Wootten remembers cutting sheets of plywood into 4 X 4 foot squares, drawing Christmas scenes onto the plywood Christmas cards. Volunteers would gather at a garage located behind the Barbizon Restaurant and paint the Christmas Cards. The Christmas cards pictured reindeer, Santa Claus, Christmas bells, and other seasonal scenes. Many Winter Park citizens assisted with the project but Edith Tadd Little, Newton Merrill, Jim Holloway, and Tom Ferris, particularly, gave a great deal of time and energy to the project. Brackets for the cards were designed and made by Gene Beeler. City work crews hung the cards.
Andy Wooten passed away July 29, 2012.
Collection Items
Andy Wootten Close Up
Andy Wootten's photo was taken April 2003 at the Winter Park Public Library after he met with
the archivist, Dean Padgett. Mr. Wootten presented to the Winter Park Public Library History
and Archives Department his collection of photographs,…
the archivist, Dean Padgett. Mr. Wootten presented to the Winter Park Public Library History
and Archives Department his collection of photographs,…
