REESE, Harry

REESE, HARRY, b. United States, and Harry Reese, one of UC Santa Barbara’s many pioneers, created and developed the university’s highly regarded Book Arts Program. With the intention to study Political Science at UC Santa Barbara in 1965, Reese eventually graduated and earned a Master of Arts degree in Religious Studies. As well as a Master of Fine Arts degree in Creative Writing from Brown University. While earning his MFA at Brown, Reese established his own publishing imprint and printed his own books, much to his success. In 1977 Reese and his wife, Sandra, decided to return to Isla Vista, and after asking to serve UC Santa Barbara’s staff and being initially rejected, Reese started a class called “The Art of the Book” at UC Santa Barbara’s College of Creative Studies. After gaining much praise and popularity, “The Art of the Book” class transformed into the Book Arts Program, officially established in 1985. After many years as the Book Art Program Director and other positions, such as the Chair of the Art Studio from 1996 to 2000 and again in 2004, Reese decided to retire in 2018., “REESE, Harry,” UCSB ADA Museum Omeka, accessed April 25, 2024, http://art-collections.museum.ucsb.edu/items/show/4691.