Jeanne D'Orge

Jeanne D'Orge (November 22, 1877 – May 2, 1964) was an American lyric poet, artist, and patron of the arts. She founded the Carl Cherry Center for the Arts in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, United States, for artists and writers, and where actors and musicians perform.[1]

Jeanne D'Orge
Born
Lena Dalkeith Yates

(1877-11-22)November 22, 1877
Donisthorpe, England
DiedMay 2, 1964(1964-05-02) (aged 86)
Occupation(s)Artist, writer and poet
Known forCarl Cherry Center for the Arts
Spouses
Alfred Edgar Burton
(m. 1906; div. 1925)
    Carl William Cherry
    (m. 1931)
    Children3
    Websitecarlcherrycenter.org

    Early life

    Jeanne D'Orge was born on November 22, 1877, in Donisthorpe North West Leicestershire, England. Her birthname was Lena Dalkeith Yates. Her father was Walter Yates (b. 1853). Her mother was Emily Fowler (b. 1853).[2][3] At an early stage of their lives, her family faced the desertion of her father, who worked as a seed merchant.[4]

    During her formative years, D'Orge and her mother traveled the cities of Edinburgh, London, and Paris. Voice in the Circle, a poignant book of verse centering on the author's childhood experiences in Europe, was written by D'Orge and published in 1955.[5]

    It was in Paris, on a walking trip, where she encountered and later married Alfred Edgar Burton (1957-1935) on July 19, 1906, in Ashby-de-la-Zouch, England. Burton was widowed with two sons. His son Harold H. Burton served as the 45th mayor of Cleveland, Ohio, as a U.S. Senator from Ohio, and as an associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. Alfred Burton and D'Orge had three children, Alexander Ross (1911-1970), Virginia Lee (1909-1968), and Christine (1907–1981).[2] Her daughter Virginia Lee Burton became a illustrator and children's book author. Alfred Burton was a geographer and first of Student Affairs at the M.I.T. for twenty years reporting to the president.[6] Burton was twenty-two years older than D'Orge. Having been an explorer in the past, Burton had joined Commodore Robert Peary on numerous expeditions to the North Pole.[7]

    However, upon settling in Boston, the role of a dean's wife proved to be constricting for her creative spirit. Seeking an outlet for her artistic expression, she gravitated towards a group of poets known as Others.[8][3]

    Career

    In 1906, D'Orge, Burton, and their three children arrived in Newton Centre, Massachusetts and established a residence on Beacon Hill. This home soon transformed into a gathering spot for artists, musicians, and writers, fostering a creative community. During this period, D'Orge penned her children's books under the pseudonym Lena Dalkeith, a name she supposedly borrowed from a village located near Edinburgh.[4] In the 1900s, using the name Lena Dalkeith, she already had several children's books under her belt, including titles like "Aesop's Fables," "Little Plays," and "Stories from French History."[4] Her books and poetry, earning widespread critical acclaim across the nation. Her literary talents flourished in this environment, capturing the hearts of readers young and old alike.[3]

    Her poetic works found their way into the pages of magazine and publications like Scribners and Poetry. Alongside Others magazine poets such as William Carlos Williams, Marianne Moore, and Wallace Stevens, she participated in poetry reading at the New York Armory Show in 1913. In 1915, she released a collection of verse titled "Prose Chants," published under the pen name Lena Dalkeith Burton.[4] These events marked a milestone in her literary journey, as it allowed her to showcase her poetic prowess to a wider audience and further cemented her place in the avant-garde poetry scene of that era.[8]

    In 1917, due to the New Massachusetts winters taking a toll on D'Orge's health, the family made a move to San Diego, California. At that time, Burton, who was nearing his retirement after a forty-year tenure at MIT, took a leave of absence.[4]

    Carmel-by-the-Sea

    In 1920, accompanied by her three children and Burton, her recently retired husband, she made her way to the town of Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, then a small, artistic community.[7]

    D'Orge and Burton found themselves drawn to the Forest Theater, where they, along with their children, Virginia, and Christine Burton, actively participated in various theatrical productions. During their time there, they unexpectedly crossed paths with a former student of Burton's, the inventive Carl William Cherry (1900-1947), who was overseeing the lighting arrangements. Little did they know that this chance meeting would spark something between D'Orge and Cherry, despite the substantial age difference and the fact that he was not conventionally attractive. Chery's appearance was described as gangly and elf-like, while D'Orge herself was of a plumper and matronly disposition.[8] The Carmel community was scandalized by her desertion of her husband and children. Her parents divorced in 1925, and her father returned to Boston.[8][4]

    On March 2, 1922, at the Little Theater committee's Arts and Crafts Hall, D'Orge wrote a one-act tragedy, Crazy Anne, with light effects and stage pictures.[9]

    In December 1922, she wrote an article called Christmas Masque and Ball Tonight at Arts & Crafts Hall that talked about Ira Remsen and his Christmas play Shepherd's Bridge, at the Carmel Arts and Crafts Hall, which was produced by John Hillard.[10][9]

    In the November 24, 1923, issue of Scribner's Magazine, a set of drawings featuring the ancient trees at Point Lobos took center stage. These drawings arc done by painter Cornelis Botke. Alongside the drawings is a poem by D’Orge. Through this artistic collaboration, the spirit of these ancient trees is conveyed.[11]

    In December 1928, she wrote the book Lobos, published by Seven Arts Press. The black and white cover was designed by Cherry. A review published in the Carmelite said: "One feels in reading these poems that Lobos has been translated perfectly into the most elusive language, Poetry."[12]

    On March 30, 1931, she married Carl Cherry in San Benito, California. Upon moving in with Cherry, D'Orge adopted the name Jeanne D'Orge permanently, combining a tribute to her heroine Joan of Arc and the Orge River in France. From that point forward, she embraced this new name as her own.[4] Chery, a prosperous individual, encouraged her to pursue painting, and she embraced the craft with the same enthusiasm that had characterized her poetry.[13] In 1936, he crafted the blind rivet, a self-sealing fastener that could be effortlessly installed by a single person.[14] This invention revolutionized aircraft manufacture during World War II, earning Chery a considerable fortune and recognition for his contributions.[8] The patent was later acquired by the Textron, which continues to manufacture the Cherry rivet to this day.[4]

    In 1957, D'Orge's paintings were displayed at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art. Her paintings were an embodiment of creativity and resourcefulness. Facing the challenge of costly canvas, she turned to Dupont window shade material and various remnants from Cherry's workshop, including masonite, glassine, and aluminum. Embracing unconventional techniques, she experimented with layering machine oil as a base, onto which she directly applied paint from the tube. Her artistic process involved tools, such as brushes, whiskbrooms, forks, fingers, and combs, allowing her to manipulate the paint and create a unique texture and form. The resulting artworks exuded a distinctive soft outline, at times evoking enigmatic ritual processions of somber-hued hooded figures. This unparalleled approach to painting showcased her ingenuity and artistic prowess, leaving an indelible mark on the world of art.[15][8]

    In January 1962, encouraged by her peers, the 83-year-old artist was eventually persuaded to host a one-man exhibition at San Francisco's De Young Museum located in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, which displayed forty-seven of her paintings.[16][3] Later, in 1977, a retrospective show of her work was organized in Santa Barbara.[8]

    Carl Cherry House

    Two Queen Anne-style cottages built by Delos E. Goldsmith. The one on the left was built for Augusta Robertson (later the Carl Cherry Center for the Arts) and the one on the right was for Abbie Jane Hunter.

    Real estate developer Abbie Jane Hunter's uncle, carpenter Delos Edward Goldsmith (1828-1923) from Ohio, moved to Carmel in late 1888.[17] Between 1892 and 1894, Goldsmith worked with Hunter to build two identical historic Queen Anne-style cottages, designed by contractor Douglas Knox Fraiser.[18] The first house is on the northeast corner of Guadalupe Street and 4th Avenue.[7] It was the home for Hunter and her son, now known as the Abbie Jane Hunter House.[19] The second house, on the northwest corner of Guadalupe and 4th Avenue was built for Goldsmith‘s wife's sister's daughter, Augusta Robertson. They were the first houses in the area next to what was known as the Paradise Park.[7][20][13][21]

    In 1937, As a wedding gift, Cherry's mother, Mrs. C.W. Thatcher sold her son the former Augusta Robertson House for one dollar.[7][13]

    Over the course of the next decade, the house underwent extensive expansion and modification to cater to the working requirements of both the Cherry and D'Orge. Cherry's inventive pursuits led to the establishment of a machine workshop, now known as Cherry Hall, where he could bring his innovative ideas to life.[13]

    After Chery's passing on April 15, 1947 in Carmel,[22] D'Orge experienced profound grief.

    Carl Cherry Center for the Arts

    "There are no strings attached to the help we give. We don’t care whether those we help become famous or not. Our reward is in making it possible for an artist to be true to himself."

     Jeanne D’Orge

    In June 1948, D'Orge established the Carl Cherry Foundation, a non-profit philanthropic organization. Its primary objectives were to run an art gallery, provide an experimental laboratory for scientists and inventors in Carmel, and offer assistance to "artists, authors, playwrights, and composers."[23]

    Today this is the home of the Carl Cherry Center for the Arts in honor of her late husband serving as a testament to their enduring love and his significant contributions to the field of invention. Continuing Cherry's legacy, D'Orge's mission was to "advance the culture of America by supporting experimental fine arts, sciences, and education." The Center became a nurturing ground for emerging talents, offering mentorship and support to aspiring artists and writers. Through scholarships and grants, the center enabled individuals from diverse backgrounds to pursue their creative dreams, fostering inclusivity and diversity within the arts community.[8]

    D'Orge remained committed to managing the Carl Cherry Foundation, dedicating herself to funding an array of events. These included concerts, lectures, plays, puppet shows, dance recitals, and seminars, with a noteworthy feature being that almost all of them were offered free of charge. Despite being free, the events showcased world-class lecturers and performers. Carmel's streets would often see her presence, clad in ankle-length Chinese robes, paint-stained tennis shoes, and her signature pink hat.[8]

    On June 15, 1951, the Carl Cherry Foundation invited 12-year-old Leon Panetta (former Secretary of Defense) to give a piano concert at the Sunset Center. The Carmel Pine Cone said: "It will be interesting to follow the progress of this young man. He certainly has great possibilities."[24]

    In 1952, D'Orge expanded the main building block, adding classroom, gallery, and reading room spaces. Toward the west, she attached studio and meditation areas in 1953. These additions allowed the Carl Cherry Foundation to flourish, providing a space for artistic expression and community engagement. It was at this residence that D'Orge began to nurture her passion for painting. To accommodate D'Orge's artistic pursuits, carpenters were employed to convert the second story into a spacious studio, adding skylights to flood the space with natural light.[3][25][13]

    D'Orge, a self-taught artist, expressed her desire to evoke the imaginative process in her audience. Instead of selling her frequently untitled paintings, she chose to showcase them at the Cherry Foundation, exhibiting only a few at a time, while she recited her poetry. Despite limited public exposure, her paintings consistently exhibited high quality. This led to exhibitions at prestigious venues like the Park Lane Gallery in New York.[8] D'Orge's artistic creations varied in style, with some resembling Chinese landscapes, while others took on a more surreal and abstract form.[4]

    In 1992, the Carl Cherry Foundation changed its name to the Carl Cherry Center for the Arts.

    In the archives, you can find her papers, comprising a permanent art collection of twelve hundred works from her portfolio, along with some memorabilia. Additionally, the collection houses a miscellaneous assortment of Burton family artifacts.[8][4]

    Carmel Valley

    As time passed, D'Orge eventually transitioned to a studio in Carmel Valley, where she persisted in her painting and writing pursuits until her passing in 1964.[13]

    Her primary focus centered around the Tantamount Theater. Her charm graced the Green Room receptions and opening nights of the theater's productions, endearing herself to fellow artists and audience members alike.[3] In 1960, D'Orge provided support to Francois Martin and John Ralph Geddis in establishing their puppet theater in Carmel Valley. She constructed a one-room studio adjacent to their Tantamount Theater, and in return, Martin and Geddis looked after her.[8]

    Death

    D'Orge died in her apartment at the Carl Cherry Center for the Arts, at the age of 87, on May 2, 1964, in Carmel, California. The funeral service was held at Shady Grove Cemetery in Gloucester, Massachusetts.[3][8]

    Legacy

    Her enduring dedication to the arts, along with her significant contributions to the Carl Cherry Center for the Arts, have left an enduring legacy that continues to inspire artists and creatives to this day.[13]

    Selected works

    • Aesop's Fables (1906)[26]
    • Little Plays (1907)[27]
    • Stories from French History (1909)[28]
    • Prose Chants (1915)[4]
    • Matins (1917)[29]
    • Joy (1918)[30]
    • The Sewing Bee (1920)[31]
    • The Enchanted Castle (1920)[31]
    • To a Fumbling Lover (1920)[31]
    • The Prayer Rug (1920)[31]
    • Defeat (1920)[31]
    • Annabel' (1920)[31]
    • Crazy Anne (1922)[9]
    • Poem in Scribner's Magazine (1923)[11]
    • Lobos (1928)[12]
    • Cosmic Sneeze (1929)[32]
    • Lawrence the Wayfarer (1930)[33]
    • Gawpy Ballet (1931)[34]
    • Christmas Masque and Ball Tonight at Arts & Crafts Hall [9]
    • Stolen (1936)
    • Voice in the Circle (1955)[5]

    References

    1. Watson, Lisa Crawford (July 6, 2015). Legendary Locals of Carmel-by-the-Sea. Carmel-by-the-Sea, California: Arcadia Publishing Incorporated. pp. 9–10. ISBN 9781439651179. Retrieved May 1, 2023.
    2. "Historical Information for Lena Yates". FamilySearch. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
    3. "Jeanne D'Orge Cherry". Carmel Pine Cone. Carmel-by-the-Sea, California. May 7, 1964. p. 3. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
    4. Barbara Elleman (2002). Virginia Lee Burton: A Life in Art. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. pp. 7–9. ISBN 9780618003426. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
    5. Jeanne Yates Cherry (1955). Voice in the Circle. Retrieved July 23, 2023. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
    6. "MIT History: Office of the MIT Dean for Undergraduate Education and Student Affairs". Library, MIT. 1995. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
    7. Hale, Sharron Lee (1980). A tribute to yesterday: The history of Carmel, Carmel Valley, Big Sur, Point Lobos, Carmelite Monastery, and Los Burros. Santa Cruz, California: Valley Publishers. p. 6. ISBN 9780913548738. Retrieved January 18, 2022.
    8. Connie Wright (2014). "Jeanne D'Orge: Eccentric Benefactor". Stories of Old Carmel: A Centennial Tribute From The Carmel Residents Association. pp. 119–120. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
    9. "Arts and Crafts Club Scrapbook". Harrison Memorial Library. Carmel-by-the-Sea, California. 1912. Retrieved June 9, 2022.
    10. "Ira Mallory Remsen (1876-1928)" (PDF). Traditional Fine Arts Organization. Arizona. p. 587. Retrieved September 9, 2022.
    11. "Point Lobos in Poem and Picture". Carmel Pine Cone. Carmel-by-the-Sea, California. December 1, 1923. p. 1. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
    12. "Point Lobos in Poem and Picture". Carmelite. Carmel-by-the-Sea, California. December 19, 1928. p. 14. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
    13. "DPR 523 Forms Volume I A-69" (PDF). City of Carmel-by-the-Sea. Carmel-by-the-Sea, California. May 13, 2002. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
    14. "Rivet". IFI CLAIMS Patent Services. March 27, 1943. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
    15. "Emphemeral D'Orge Paintings Give Hint of Poetic Vision". Santa Barbara News-Press. Santa Barbara, California. February 3, 1957. p. 30. Retrieved July 22, 2023.
    16. "Carmel artist's art show". The Peninsula Times Tribune. Palo Alto, California. January 23, 1962. Retrieved July 22, 2023.
    17. "Wesley Hunter". Carmel Pine Cone. Carmel-by-the-Sea, California. June 23, 1966. pp. 26–27. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
    18. Seavey, Kent (2007). Carmel, A History in Architecture. p. 16. ISBN 9780738531229. Retrieved January 16, 2022. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
    19. "Carmel Inventory Of Historic Resources Database" (PDF). City Of Carmel-by-the-Sea. Carmel-by-the-Sea, California. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
    20. Dramov, Alissandra; Momboisse, Lynn A. (2016). Historic Homes And Inns Of Carmel-by-the-Sea. Carmel-by-the-Sea, California: Arcadia Publishing. p. 88. Retrieved March 2, 2023.
    21. Dramov, Alissandra (2019). Historic Buildings of Downtown Carmel-by-the-Sea. Carmel-by-the-Sea, California: Arcadia Publishing. pp. 36, 73. ISBN 9781467103039. Retrieved April 20, 2022.
    22. "Noted Inventor Dies At Carmel". Santa Cruz Sentinel. Santa Cruz, California. April 16, 1947. p. 8. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
    23. "Art Gallery Is Planned". The Californian. Santa Cruz, California. June 30, 1948. p. 7. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
    24. Eben Whittlesey (June 22, 1951). "Performance In Piano Concert Sponsored by Cherry Foundation". Carmel Pine Cone. Carmel-by-the-Sea, California. p. 9. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
    25. "Abbie Jane Hunter". Adventures Of A Home Town Tourist. Carmel-by-the-Sea, California. October 30, 2014. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
    26. Dalkeith, Lena (1906). "Aesop's Fables". T.C.& E.C. Jack.
    27. Dalkeith, Lena (1907). "Little Plays". T.C.& E.C. Jack.
    28. Dalkeith, Lena (1909). Stories from French History. ISBN 9781531277734. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
    29. Monroe, Harriet (1917). "Poetry Volume 10". Modern Poetry Association. p. 13. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
    30. Kreymborg, Alfred (April 2, 1898). "Art and Artists". Times Union. Brooklyn, New York. p. 13. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
    31. "Others, an Anthology of the New Verse". Alfred A. Knopf. 1920. p. s25-29. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
    32. "Cosmic Sneeze". Carmelite. Carmel-by-the-Sea, California. July 24, 1929. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
    33. "Art and Artists". Carmelite. Carmel-by-the-Sea, California. March 19, 1930. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
    34. "Gawpy's Adventures Thrill Big Audience". Carmel Pine Cone. Carmel-by-the-Sea, California. January 16, 1931. p. 7. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
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