Chuck Arnett

Charles "Chuck" Arnett (February 15, 1928 in Bogalusa, Louisiana – March 2, 1988 in San Francisco, California) American artist, dancer, stage designer, choreographer and gay sex advocate.[1] Chuck Arnett was an artist who worked in a variety of media, his best known work is the Tool Box Mural (1962).[2]

History

Arnett grew up in Bogalusa and New Orleans, which he would later always claim as his hometown. He danced in the local Ballet successfully for several seasons before moving in 1951 to New York City to better pursue the career he wanted to make for himself in the world of professional Dance.

Arriving with letters of introduction and names of people to contact from his time as a dancer in New Orleans, he quickly settled into the life a traditional class on Manhattan who were proud to refer to themselves as "theatrical gypsies." His next few years his time was divided between the best dance classes he could get enrolled into, practice, auditioning for parts, and (if lucky) rehearsing and then performing on the stage.

The closest thing he would ever experience to knowing what it is like to suddenly be discovered and recognized for his talent and abilities was the day when he went to audition to dance with the National Ballet of Canada. That he was willing to move from Manhattan to relocated in the Canadian Provincial capital of Toronto, Ontario is a good indication of how important this job was to Arnett. The time he spent with the National Ballet was the only full-time, permanent employment he would ever hold in his life.

Chuck did some dancing in Las Vegas casinos. He moved to San Francisco where he worked at The Tool Box, one of the first Leather Bars, a gay bar frequented by gay motorcycle clubs.[2][3] One busy night Rudolf Nureyev came in with several men obviously from the opera house where Rudy was performing. He was seated at the bar and with many people watching, removed the coat he had on, revealing a leather jacket [to applause]. Chuck brought his drink, a cognac, in the best glass the house could provide, and when he finished it and left, Arnett took the glass

Arnett died on March 2, 1988 from AIDS.[1]

The San Francisco South of Market Leather History Alley consists of four works of art along Ringold Alley honoring leather culture; it opened in 2017.[4][5] One of the works of art is a black granite stone etched with a narrative by Gayle Rubin and a reproduction of Arnett’s mural in a former leather bar.[5] Another of the works of art is metal bootprints along the curb which honor 28 people (including Arnett) who were an important part of the leather communities of San Francisco.[5][6]

References

  1. 1 2 "AIDS AT 25 / The remembering continues". SFGate. Retrieved 2016-12-28.
  2. 1 2 Rubin, Gayle (1998). "Folsom Street: The Miracle Mile". FoundSF. Retrieved 2016-12-28.
  3. ↑ "Dress Codes: Chuck Arnett & Sheree Rose". ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives at the USC Libraries. Retrieved 2017-02-02.
  4. ↑ http://www.artandarchitecture-sf.com/ringold-alleys-leather-memoir.html
  5. 1 2 3 Paull, Laura. "Honoring gay leather culture with art installation in SoMa alleyway – J". Jweekly.com. Retrieved 2018-06-23.
  6. ↑ http://www.artandarchitecture-sf.com/ringold-alleys-leather-memoir.html


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