Pasquale Giovanni Napolitano
- Animation Department
- Costume and Wardrobe Department
- Additional Crew
Immigrated to the U.S. with his family in 1912. Worked as a machinist in the early 1920's, studying at Otis Art Institute in Los Angeles 1921-1924 under Julia Braden Wendt and F. Tolles Chamberlain. Began working in architectural murals at Gladding-McBean in an apprenticeship program, under Herman Sachs, in 1925, including murals for Bullocks Wilshire and many other commercial buildings in the 1920's. Studied ceramics in NY, later at Alfred University, and undertook a business in architectural decoration in New York circa 1930. Studied in Italy 1930, then Munich, then in Berlin. Returned to the U. S. 1932, began Modernist work,illustrated in a book about him, "Napolitano", by Merle Armitage. Napolitano worked for the W.P.A. and similar federal state organizations, including murals at Beverly Hills High School and other schools, Hollywood Turf Club, etc. Began illustrating books by Merle Armitage through 1950's. Worked with George Pal at Puppetoons early 1940's, later in set and mask designs for the king and I. A deeply religious Catholic, Napolitano began work on religious themes including major works at many churches in Southern California and Arizona, most notably a large statue at the Serra Retreat in Malibu. He did considerable work in ceramics for Judson Studios, maintained his own workshop in many media, and from the 1930's-1970's worked on textile designs with his wife Emmie Goetz, including some of her work for Maria Kipp in Los Angeles.