Reynolds, Harry Reuben, 1898-1974.

Early art photographer and a pioneer in the use of slides for theater backdrops.

From the description of Papers, 1930-1970. (Utah State University). WorldCat record id: 86161974

Reynolds was an instructor in the art department at Utah State University for forty-five years, an early art photographer, and a pioneer in the use of slides for theatre backdrops.

From the description of Harry Reuben Reynolds papers, 1930-1970. (Utah State University). WorldCat record id: 16141472

Harry Reuben Reynolds was born to Alex and Dora Reynolds on January 29, 1898. Reynolds grew up in Centerburg, Ohio and attended the Art Institute of Chicago graduating from the Art Education Division in 1923. That same year he joined the art staff at Utah State Agricultural College. He spent the next forty-seven years with the University teaching a variety of classes such as photography, history of art, painting, art education, jewelry, crafts, and design. Although Reynolds initial interest in art centered on painting and art crafts, during his first sabbatical year in 1930 he became interested in photography and purchased a small German camera. Gradually photography and experimentation with color photography became his main focus. He designed and constructed a puppet theater switchboard used to demonstrate lighting techniques, a slide projector for theatrical productions, and a new technique on stereo photomicrograph work. His second sabbatical year (1939-1940) was spent in travel to Chicago, Columbus, Washington D.C., New York, as well as completing two semesters of graduate study at the University of Iowa. His third sabbatical in 1961 was spent at the Brooks Institute of Photography, Santa Barbara, California.

Reynolds service to the University extended beyond his teaching load. He was an advisor for the Buzzer student yearbook and he served as the first USU Art Gallery Curator (now the Nora Eccles Harrison Museum of Art) in 1967. Reynolds also held a great interest in the theater. He was involved in student and Old Lyric Repertory Company productions and he directed and produced the "Look on the Land," an all-original musical, in 1956. Reynolds also tirelessly promoted art appreciation and education throughout Utah through exhibitions, lectures, and serving on numerous committees.

In 1931 Reynolds married Zina Catharine Harris of Spring Valley, Wyoming. Zina received a B.S. degree in education from Utah State University and became the first supervisor of the L.D.S. Hospital in Logan. In 1972 he and Zina were recognized by the USU Alumni Association for distinguished service. Professor Reynolds died on March 10, 1974 in Logan.

From the guide to the Harry Reuben Reynolds photograph collection, 1930-1980, 1930-1960, (Utah State University. Merrill-Cazier Library. Special Collections and Archives)

Harry Reuben Reynolds came to Utah State University in 1923 as an art instructor. For the next forty-five years, Reynolds taught in the art department at Utah State. During his time at the college, Reynolds played an important role in promoting the arts at the University and in the community and state. His papers reflect that involvement and are a testament to the recognition he received as an artist and as a civic leader.

Reynolds was born in Centerburg, Ohio on January 29, 1898 and passed away in Logan, Utah March 10, 1974. Reynolds received his initial schooling in art at the Chicago Art Institute and graduated from that school in 1923. During his time at Utah State, Reynolds continually worked at furthering his education. In 1930, he spent nine months touring in France, Spain, and in the Canary Islands. While in Europe, he studied and photographed sculpture, paintings, and formal gardens. After returning to USU, he incorporated these photographs into his art classes as visual aids. In 1939, he spent a year taking classes in Art History at the University of Iowa and in 1961, he completed a short course at the Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara, California.

In addition to his ongoing efforts to enhance his education, Reynolds was involved in promoting the arts in Utah. One area in which he made an impact was his involvement with the Utah State Fair. Reynolds served on the Board of Directors from 1940 until the 1960's and in 1962 was elected President of that Board. As general Art Chairman for the "Days of '47" Centennial Celebration Committee, he was instrumental, in bringing the noted art exhibit "100 Years of American Painting" to Utah from the Whitney and the Metropolitan Museums of Art in New York.

As a recognition for his promotion of and contributions to the advancement of art in Utah, Reynolds was selected as the Distinguished Service Award recipient by the Utah Art Educators Association. Reynolds was also honored in an appointment by the Governor to spearhead the major project of inventorying all art owned by the State of Utah.

At Utah State University, in addition to his duties as an instructor and lecturer, Reynolds was also involved in many extra-curricular activities. Reynolds served as the faculty advisor to the Buzzer yearbook from 1946-1962 and chaired the Utah State University Art Committee for a number of years. In 1955, he accepted the position of Production Manager for USU production "Look On he Land," a play written to celebrate Cache Valley's Centennial. The Play was an outstanding success and has been revived again in recent years. Because of Professor Reynolds fine work as an educator, he was nominated and became a finalist for the "Instructor of the Year" award in 1959.

H. Reuben Reynold's civic work aside probably his most important contributions came as a professional photographer Reynolds did pioneering work in the use of slides as backdrops for theater performances. He was also one of the first to produce quality photomicrographs and was asked to do such work for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Reynolds work was of such high quality, that he was often invited to display his art at shows throughout the country He was specially invited to show his work at the National Professional Photographers Convention and in 1939 was asked to lecture on the topic "The Why of the Additive and Subtractive Processes in Direct Color Portraitures."

Reynolds in his years at Utah State University brought a lasting quality and reputation to Utah art and to the Utah State University Art and Photography Departments.

From the guide to the Harry Reuben Reynolds papers, 1930-1970, (Utah State University. Special Collections and Archives)