Vince Proby Explained

Vincent J. Proby (1928 - 1987) was an artist and architect in the United States.^[1] Tulane University has a collection of his papers^[2] at its Amistad Research Center.^{[3] [4]}

Early life

Proby was born in Wichita County, Texas and moved with his family to Los Angeles.^[1] He studied at Los Angeles high schools, Los Angeles Junior College, and University of Southern California.

Career

He was project manager for several large projects before establishing his own architectural firm.^[5]

He was the first African American to serve on California's State Board of Architectural Examiners.^{[1] [6]}

Proby designed the A. C. Bilbrew Public Library including its interior colored glass ornamentation.^{[7] [8]} He was photographed at the library in 1984 next to Frances E. Williams as she was honored by Kenneth Hahn.^[9] He was also photographed at the Paul R. Williams tribute event in 1973 by Thelner B. Hoover.^[10]

Work

• Howard Family home in Ladera Heights
• West Bleacher Structure (1968)^[11]
• A. C. Bilbrew Public Library in Willowbrook, Los Angeles (1974)
• California African American Museum with Jack Haywood in Willowbrook (1984)^[12]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Untitled | LA County Arts Commission. www.lacountyarts.org.
2. Web site: Proby, Vincent J. papers, 1977-1989 | Amistad Research Center. amistadresearchcenter.tulane.edu.
3. Web site: Proby, Vincent J. | Amistad Research Center. amistadresearchcenter.tulane.edu.
4. Web site: Amistad Reports. April 27, 1987. The Center. Google Books.
5. Web site: LA County Library. LA County Library.
6. Web site: Black Enterprise. Earl G. Graves. Ltd. March 27, 1978. Earl G. Graves, Ltd.. Google Books.
7. Web site: LA Curbed: 15 notable Los Angeles projects where black architects left their mark. Nourmand & Associates.
8. Web site: Untitled. Public Art Archive.
9. Web site: Kenneth Hahn Honors Frances Williams at African American Living Legends Series Program. 19 February 1984 .
10. https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/collection/search?edan_q=*:*&edan_fq[]=p.edanmdm.indexedstructured.name:%22Proby,+Vincent+J.%22&edan_local=1&op=Search
11. Book: The Performance of Public School Plants During the San Fernando Earthquake. 1974. California Institute of Technology.
12. Web site: The California African American Museum founded. 2014-12-14 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141214204646/http://www.aaregistry.org/historic_events/view/. 2020-05-31. 2014-12-14.