Jack
& Dorris Kinney
Prolific Helena Sign Painters, Decorators and Muralists
Active 1940s - 1990s
ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF Kathleen
Kinney, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED
Jack Kinney
(1922-2002) and Dorris Kinney (1928-1974)
Bronco Painting in Front of Studio
Door, 415 N. Oakes Street
|
Helena
area Baby Boomers grew up surrounded by Jack Kinney's art,
even if they weren't always aware of it. Jack was much in
demand as a sign painter, muralist, and decorator. With his
wife Dorris, Jack "set the stage" for many Helena
businesses and special events.
Jack N.
Kinney was born July 25, 1922, in Virginia, Minnesota. He
learned to ski at a very young age from Finlanders and step-grandfather
who had been a ski-jumper in Norway. Jack moved to Helena,
Montana in 1935. He studied art at Helena High School, and
was active in designng posters for school events. Jack grauated
in 1941.
Jack and
his brother Ken Kinney were early members of the Belmont Ski
Club, which began in 1941.
For a
time after graduating High School, Jack was employed at assistant
advertising and display manager at Fllgelman's
department store.
In 1943,
Jack enlisted in the U. S. Army ski troops. During part of
his service he was assigned as an Instructor with the ski
troops at Camp Hale, Colorado. He was discharged in March
of 1946, with the Good Conduct Medal, Infantry Badge and American
Theater Medal.
The bucking bronco painting seen above still exists, and is in Avon, Montana.
|
Helena
Newspaper Ad, 1946
|
Jack returned
to Helena after the War, and set up a sign shop with Bill
Daniel. In November of 1946, Jack married Dorris Matzich,
a native of Ennis, Montana.
As well
as running a successful sign business, Jack, assisted by Dorris,
was instrumental in creating decorations and set pieces for
numerous Helena charity functions.
|
"Needlework
Fair" Window Display at Fligelman's, 1953
CLICK
ON IMAGE FOR A BIG VERSION IN A NEW WINDOW
|
From 1954
to 1956, Jack took a job in Great Falls, Montana, as advertising
and promotional director for the Paris of Montana department
store. During his Great Falls stay, Jack also operated a sign
shop.
In 1956,
Jack returned to Helena to once again work as display manager
for Fligelman's, a position he would hold until 1962, when
he opened a full-time sign shop at his 415 North Oakes home...
For the
remainder of his career, Jack Kinney was the "go-to"
man in Helena for any sort of commercial (or charity) visual
presentation work.
|
A
Small Sampling of Kinney Signs
Do You Know of Others?
Kim Kinney
One of two truck
signs painted for Howard Beer, about 1970. The original price was
$20 per cord.
COURTESY
OF RALPH BEER
The
Kinney Murals
|
Beginning
in 1958, Jack and Dorris began painting wall murals in business
and private homes. A few still survive, but most have now
been lost. If you know of any not listed or shown here, please
let us know.
|
Lambkins of Lincoln - 1959 - Still Existing
CLICK
ON IMAGE FOR A BIG VERSION IN A NEW WINDOW
Sportsman's
Lodge, Ennis, Montana
Lodge Destroyed by Fire, January 20, 2015
Imperial
Lanes Murals, Helena - 1959 - Building Demolished, 1980s
| Between
1959 and 1963, Jack and Dorris painted a sereis of murals inside
Imperial Lanes, 607 N. Roberts. Now demolished, Imperial Lanes
was Helena's largest bowling alley for many years. Does anyone
have photos? |
CLICK
ON IMAGE FOR A BIG VERSION IN A NEW WINDOW
FROM
THE 1962 HELENA HIGH SCHOOL 'VIGILANTE' YEARBOOK
Bair's
Den at Bair's Truck Stop and Cafe, Helena
Mural Lost - Building Remodeled
Walt
and Millie's Diner - 1960 - Fate of Mural Unknown
CLICK
ON IMAGE FOR A BIG VERSION IN A NEW WINDOW
This image of
the Walt and Millie's Diner mural was created by combining two snapshots.
Other
Kinney Murals - Lost or Condition Unknown
Rosie's
Barber Shop, 22 North Main, 1960 - Mural Lost
Building
destroyed by fire, 1965
| Other Kinney
murals: The Capri Lounge, Main at Lawrence, 1958; Home of John
Morgan, 1122 Peosta, 1961; Helena Senior Center, 1421 Roberts,
1968. Does anyone have photos or knowledge of these or other
Kinney murals? |
Restoration Work in the Montana Capitol, 1967
|
The Kinneys
also painted hundreds of seasonal and special event motifs
on store windows. They were also known for the imaginative
Christmas displays they would install on their front lawn,
at 415 N. Oakes.
Jack began
slowing down when his health declined in the late 1980s. He
passed away at the VA Hospital in Columbia Falls, Montana,
June 19, 2002.
My
thanks to Kathleen Kinney for so generously sharing these
images and information.
|
