History of Baltimore Screens
What in the world is a painted screen? What is a Baltimore screen? Why is it named that? How do you paint on a screen, it's full of holes?
What is a painted screen?
A painted screen is just that, a typical screen door though it can be a window screen or some other item utilizing a screened covering. Using very meticulous painting methods, the artist paints a scene. Interesting in that, from the outside looking in, the painted scene is readily apparent but makes it difficult to see inside, thus providing a degree of privacy. From the inside looking out, the painting is barely discernable therefore the view outside is not diminished nor is the air flow diminished which, after all, is the primary reason the screen was installed - to allow air circulation into and out of the house.
How did the Painted Screens get started?
A bit of history is required. 'Modern' wire-mesh screening used to manufacture sieves was developed in the 1830's. Later, with the Civil War in the United States developing, transportation problems developed in getting the sieves manufacutured in Connecticut to the large, southern market. The manufacturer was left wiht a huge supply of wire mesh cloth. In a brilliant marketing ploy, it was painted greay and sold as window screening. It was an instant success.
In a period where ornamentation was put on everything, soon the window screens were victim. Several manufacturers began marketing painted screens and sold it by the square foot. These screens were usually painted in rather drab colors and did not hold up well. They soon passed out of fashion.
Mr. William Oktavec
But, in 1913, by an artist immigrant from Bohenia (later known as Czechoslovakia), Mr. William Oktavec (1885-1956), began painting custom screens which resulted in a revival of the art, expecially as the "Roaring 1920's" go under way.
Mr. Oktavec is credited with developing the concept of painted screens as works of art
Mr. Oktavec painted his first screen while working as a demonstrator for Eclipse Air Brush Comapny in Newark, New Jersey. The secretary needed some privacy because she was often interupted by people on the side walk outside her office. Remember, there was little or no air conditioning systems available then. Mr Oktavec soon moved to East Baltimore intending to open an art supply store, a natural since his formal training was in drafting and commercial art. It failed. In the true entrepenourial spirit he found in his new homeland, and not to give up but perservere, he opened a grocery store at North Collington and Ashland Avenue.
Baltimore is infamous for its hot, humid days of summer. Typically a stores wares were displayed outside the store on the sidewalk or inside behind large glass, store-front windows so that passersby would know what kind of merchandise was available inside. To Mr. Oktavek, that meant his perishable fruits and vegetables were fully exposed to the heat of the hot sun. Remember, this was in 1913 so artificial refrigeration was not available nor was extensive icing of produce. So, out of desperation, he painted a screen for his store. He wanted to provide some degree of protection and realized a painted screen would partially block the sun. However, now it was not readily apparant to the passersby what products were being sold inside.
Baltimore Screens
Mr. Oktavek came up with the brilliant idea to paint pictures of his wares on the screens. How fitting that they became known as Baltimore Screens.
You can see out, but nobody can see in.
His customers loved the concept and soon noticed they could not see inside the store from outside during the day, but once inside, it was as if there was nothing on the screen at all.
Well, it didn't take long for a customer to request he paint a screen for her - a picture from a calendar to be reproduced onto her window screens. Thus the new tradition of painted screens was begun!
The catch-phrase "You can see out, but nobody can see in" was heard all over the city and everyone wanted their own 'privacy' screen.
Prime Time: 1920-1940
At its peak in the 1920's to 1940's, screen artists were quite readily available. Then 'progress' got in the way. Following World War II society began to change becoming more urban. Also, air conditioning had been invented and began to be more readily available to the general populous. Screens were not so heavily in demand as previously and the number of artists began to decline. But there were always a few around. There appears to be an emerging revival of the painted screen art form.
Finally - A successful art supply store
As the screen painting business continue to evolve, the shop located at 2407 East Monument Street began stocking other art supplies such as greeting cards,art supplies, religious items, even stained glass. It became the commuunity art center with instuction given in drawing and painting by none other than Mr. William Oktavec. He truly did see his early dream of an art supply store come to fruition. He set a goal and perservered until it was achieved.
As his three sons - Richard, Albert and Bernard - grew old enough, they helped out in the shop and took over when their father died in 1956. Albert and Bernard handled repairs and framing while Richard painted the screens. The shop/store flourished for many years. However, on a sad note, the shop was destroyed in the Baltimore riots of 1968. Then Richard died in 1979.
Baltimore Screens - An emerging revival?
This art form owes a debt of gratitude to many people for causing the art form to be rediscoverd including Dee Herget. Dee has always had an interest in art, taking various art classes, etc. She found a job using her talent, but she was expected to paint screens of all things. That was some 25 years ago.
In her quest to learn more about the art form, she found Ben Richardson (1904 - 1991), a retired screen painter, absorbing his knowledge like a sponge soaks up water. Both Ben and his brother Ted were screen painters, painting thousands of screens.
Dee has worked with a Baltimore Historian, Elaine Eff, to revive and document the screen painting art form. She was the founder of the Painted Screen Society of Baltimore.
Other Screen Painters of Note
While Mr. Oktavec is widely credited with developing the concept of painted screens, others have also contributed to it. In no particular order, John and Rob Eckhardt, Benjamin B. Richardson and his brother Ted, Tom Lipka, Stacy Grabowski, Dee Herget. In 1988, Baltimore's official folklorist, Elaine Eff, formed the Painted Screen Society (PSS) in order to educate the public about this unique art form and promote its uniqueness. That same year, the PSS produced the film, "The Screen Painters" for Public Television Outlets. It features Ted and Ben Richardson.
John Oktavec, third generation screen painter and grandson of the inventor of the popular Baltimore decorative art, continues the tradition.
A Special Note
It should be noted that Mr. Oktavec's three sons always believed that their father invented the painted screen concept. Research provided by Fred and Mary Fried in their book "America's Forgotten Folk Arts" suggests the general concept was in use even before Mr. Oktavec was born. However, that does not diminish in any way, the fact that it was he who introduced the screens to East Baltimore. It was Mr. Oktavec that established the style that still prevails today. It is HIS folk art form that continues its modern revival.