Artist and theme park designer Arto Monaco was born November 15, 1913 at Elizabethtown, New York. In addition to doing a study for the train station, Arto also drew water color studies for Old West Town at Storytown USA Family Fun Park, Lake George, New York, now the Great Escape.
Arto Monaco was a 1937 graduate of the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY. After graduation, he worked in Hollywood for MGM, Paramount, Warner Brothers, and Disney Studios.
He enlisted in the army four years later and helped set up a German village for training soldiers in street fighting.
In the 1950’s, Arto set up a toy making business with his brother Jim Monaco. Arto Monaco Toys made wooden and educational toys.
When his theme park “Land of Make Believe” located in Upper Jay, N.Y. closed in 1979, he continued designing toys and parks.
Study is pen and ink on paper with watercolor wash. Signed by Arto Monaco in lower right corner.
Study is pen and ink on paper with watercolor wash. Signed by Arto Monaco to lower right of Circus poster on fence.
Study is pen and ink on paper with watercolor wash. Signed by Arto Monaco in lower right corner.
edited by Tom Lynch, Collections Manager
contact: [email protected]
Source: The Charles R Wood Collection.
Warren County NY Historical Society.