Alson Skinner Clark was born in Chicago, Illinois on May 25, 1876. At age 14 Clark enrolled at the Art Institute of Chicago and continued in New York City under William Merritt Chase and the Art Students League, followed by study in Paris. In 1899 he studied at Academie Julian, the Whistler School, and with Simon, Cottet, Merson, and Mucha. Returning to the U.S. in 1901, Clark established a studio in Watertown, New York, then returned to Chicago, where in 1903 a successful exhibition allowed for travel in Europe and Canada for several years. He served as an aerial photographer in World War I, and in 1919 settled in Southern California. In 1922 Clark and fellow painter Guy Rose formed the teaching faculty of Pasadena’s Stickney Art School. During this period he also maintained a studio in Palm Springs. Clark was an instructor of landscape painting at Occidental College in Eagle Rock in the late 1930's. Clark died of a heart attack on March 22, 1949. Clark is one of the most renowned Impressionists of Southern California.

Member: American Art Association of Paris; Chicago Society of Artists; Pasadena Society of Artists; Salmagundi Club; Society of Western Artists; California Art Club; California Printmakers; Los Angeles Art Association.

Exhibited: San Diego Fine Art Gallery, 1923; Los Angeles County Museum of History, Science and Art, 1929; Golden Gate International Exposition, 1939.

Awards: Bronze medal, Louisiana Purchase Exposition, St. Louis, 1904; Cahn Prize, Art Institute of Chicago, 1906; Bronze medal, Panama-Pacific International Exposition, 1915; Honorable Mention, Los Angeles County Museum of History, Science and Art, 1922; Grand Prize, Southwest Museum, 1923; Huntington Prize, Los Angeles County Museum of History, Science and Art, 1924; Second Prize, Pasadena Art Institute, 1931, First Prize, 1933.

Works held: Victoria & Albert Museum, London; Art Institute of Chicago; Los Angeles County Museum of Art; Muskegon Art Gallery, Michigan; San Diego Museum of Art; Watertown Public Library, New York; Gardena High School; Pasadena Community Theatre; First National Bank, Pasadena (mural); California State Library; University Club Pasadena; Women’s Athletic Club, Los Angeles; Cathay Circle Theatre, Los Angeles (murals).