sedona legend helen frye

An Accomplished Artist-

Helen Varner Vanderbilt Frye

Examples of her Work....

Sedona Legend Profile Series

Sedona Arts Center, late 1950's, as shown above. Photo courtesy of Bob Bradshaw the renowned Sedona photographer. Helen Vanderbilt Frye, one of the co-founders of the Sedona Arts Center Inc., (Sedona Arts Barn) is seen reclining under the tree on the far left, cloaked in shadow. Per Helen's good friend, Marie Stilley: "Nassan Gobran and Cecil J. Lockhart-Smith stood right here in front of my fireplace and told me that Helen had suggested they secure the former barn (seen above) for an art center. It had been previously used for apples and peaches." Marie went on to say emphatically, "if it had not been for Helen Frye, Nassan, and Cecil, there would have been no Sedona Arts Center!"

On a clear April 19, 1959, just 2 months after Jack Frye's tragic death, the Sedona Red Rock News joined Helen Frye for a very special occasion, to find the perfect location for a new Sedona art center. On that chilly April day, a photographer followed Helen and her guests, Nassan Gobran, George Babbitt, Jr., his wife Madeline Hunter Babbitt, and Nick Duncan (Crescent Moon Ranch foreman) on locations near Cathedral Rock. Nick was Walter Duncan's brother- (long-time ranch foreman of Smoke Trail Ranch.) The name of the art center would be 'Canyon Kiva' later evolving into the present Sedona Arts Center. Helen Frye attended the School of Art Institute of Chicago, one of the most prestigious art institutes in the nation. This led her to an early career as an artist, fashion designer, and magazine illustrator of note. By 1932, she met her soon to be second husband, Cornelius Vanderbilt, Jr., while sketching in Albuquerque, N.M. They were married in 1935. It must be noted that Helen's dear friend, Dorothea Tanning, also attended the School of Art Institute of Chicago. Dorothea, along with her husband, Max Ernst, became two of Sedona's earliest artists spending much of their time with Jack and Helen Frye at their Deer Lick Ranch. Dorothea Tanning, after living in Paris for a time, currently resides in New York City. She last returned to Sedona in the late 1970's, when she came to see Helen Frye at her Wings of the Wind home shortly before Helen passed away. Jack and Helen Frye, both, collected a variety of exquisite art work throughout their lives. It has often been said by guests visiting Jack and Helen through the years that their homes contained a surprising collection of rare art and literary works.

Two of Jack and Helen Frye's dearest friends- the beautifully exotic Dorothea Tanning, and Max Ernst, Sedona, Arizona. (about 1948) The two white dogs were remembered to accompany Dorothea to the Sedona parties Jack and Helen would throw for their friends in the 1940's. Photo courtesy of Max Ernst and Dorothea Tanning Collection.

Please note: Helen Frye was one of the original founders of the Stagecoach Players (designing the logo for the group) others founders were, Bill and Margaret Leenhouts, (Bill, a retired attorney drew up the legal paper work for the new group) other founders were Helen's friends, Nassan Gobran and Cecil Lockhart-Smith. Helen also helped found the Sedona Humane Society, and with Nassan, Cecil, and others, the Sedona Arts Center.

The Santa Fe New Mexican Newspaper
Society page
Monday February 14, 1944

Mrs. Jack Frye Buys Oils

Mrs. Jack Frye, on visit to Santa Fe, bought two oil paintings by Foster Jewell, 834 El Caminito, last week, it was learned today.
One of the paintings, “As in a Dream,” has been on display at the Museum, and the second, “Symphony in December,” was bought by Mrs. Frye on a visit to the artist’s studio. Mrs. Frye whose husband is president of TWA, lives in Washington D.C. and has a ranch in Arizona. Jewell is a recent resident of Santa Fe. The transaction was one of the most important of the art season.

Sedona Red Rock News
April 19, 1959
Helen Varner Frye (right) from left: George Babbitt Jr., Nick Duncan, (co-owner Cresent Moon Ranch) and Madeline Hunter Babbitt, (all founders of Sedona Arts Center.) As they stood near Red Rock Loop Road on this chilly spring day. They were searching for a natural amphitheater for Canyon Kiva, the predecessor of the Sedona Arts Center. Mrs. Frye is a great lover of animals and is always accompanied by a couple of dogs.

Helen Frye and her Sedona friends were all early founders of the Sedona Arts Center. All were movers and shakers of early Sedona society. Nassan for a time attempted to turn the Apache Fires house into an arts center. For many years he was the Art Director of the Verde Valley School. Helen for many years opened up her Apache Fires home as a remote classroom location for the students. These images are on file at the Sedona Historic Society. Permission for me to photograph the images was granted by former director, Edith Denton. Photos were from the collection of long time Red Rock News reporter, Elizabeth Rigby who generously donated her personal historical archive to the people of Sedona. Photos were captured off Upper Red Rock Loop Road.

Helen Varner Frye with dear friend, Faye Crenshaw, (said to be Sedona's first realtor) and Elisa Armijo, at the entrance to the Winged Arts building in the
1960's. This building still stands today at the corner of Airport Road and Highway 89A in Sedona Arizona.

To the left is Helen's portrait of Al and Pat Purchase. Helen captured this musical couple quite realistically- their home was always filled with music, warm friends and good times. Al worked for the Bureau of Indian Affairs (the Hopi Nation.) Pat was a Sedona socialite who loved to entertain and also taught music.

This portrait of Rosie, (one of Helen's most devoted and life long friends) was meant to represent two distinct personalities. The painting was based on a photo Helen took of Rosie on the
Hopi Reservation. Rather then try to explain the meaning of the painting please click here and read what Helen said about this work in a personal letter to Rosie in 1960.

Portrait of Elisa Armijo, this was the daughter of Helen's close friend Rosie. Helen was like a Godgrandmother to Elisa.

Black and white photo, of an unfinished color painting Helen was working on portraying Nassan Gobran. Her intent was to reveal three spritual pinnacles of his oversoul. Location is House of Apache Fires studio. Eventually, this painting was given to Helen's dear friends, Pat and Al Purchase.

No known photos are available of Helen at work on her art except this blurry image, which shows Helen in the late 1970's working on a canvas at her Wings of the Wind home outdoor patio. Helen worked in a variety of formats to include magazine sketches, sculptures, and paintings, for over 45 years. Helen signed her work a variety of ways, for instance: Helen Varner, Helen Renvar (Varner reversed,) Helen Vanderbilt, HVAN, and of course, Helen V. Frye. Although some of Helen's work likely survives to this day, it is supposed that many collectors don't realize the true identity of the artist. Helen did do landscapes. One such painting survives, last seen many years ago, hanging in a Kansas City rest home. The Sedona landscape painting was a treasured possession of one of Jack Frye's most loyal secretaries, the late, Mrs. Meriam Furse Filkins. "A gift" she once exclaimed proudly to a visitor, "from Mrs. Jack Frye!"

It would be wonderful if some of Helen's work could be represented in a collection of Arizona woman artists. One of the finest such national collections is represented right here in Sedona, known as Arizona Women Artists. "Creative Women of the West" spearheads this wonderful legacy as associated with the National Museum of Women in the Arts, Washington D.C. For Arizona information, please contact, Fran Elliott in Sedona, Arizona. Mrs. Elliott is one of Sedona's most dedicated art patrons. Her extensive art collection of early women artists is one of the finest in the nation. Helen, too, was passionate about encouraging the arts, although sadly, she has been overlooked and forgotten in regard to many of her associations. In her philanthropy work Helen supported and helped launch the Sedona Arts Center, Sedona Humane Society, and the Stagecoach Players, (1952) to name just a few organizations. She also incidently, was part of the committee to name Red Rock Loop Road, which accessed the Frye ranch, likley at that time the largest ranch reached by this famous Sedona scenic boulevard.

Helen Frye, center, with Rosie Armijo, and her husband, Frank, in 1955
at Baldwin's Crossing, now known as, Red Rock Crossing.

Thank you to Rosie Armijo, dear friend to both Jack and Helen Frye,
for the invaluable photos utilized on this page! Without Rosie's priceless assistance,
many precious aspects of Helen and Jack's lives would be lost to time.

IN LOVING MEMORY
HELEN VIRGINIA VARNER VANDERBILT FRYE
November 28, 1908
December 4, 1979
Both paintings commissioned by Jack Frye in 1942
Artist: Sir Arnold G. Mountfort

Please note: Arnold "Monty" G. Mountfort, and his wife Patricia "Paddy" were intimate friends of the Frye's. Mountfort painted these two portraits in 1942, possibly at Deer Lick Ranch, now Cross Creek Ranch. However, it is more likely they were painted at the Willow House, as the Fryes had moved in there by late fall of 1941. Mountfort's wife Paddy managed the Sedona property for the Fryes it is thought, from about 1945 to 1947 several years after Arnold passed away (1942.)

It must be noted that Helen Varner Vanderbilt Frye was certainly well-connected in her love of the arts. Her aunt (by marriage) to Cornelius Vanderbilt Jr., was none other than Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, (Mrs. Harry Payne Whitney.) This prominent woman, one of America's most valued women artists and art patrons founded the Whitney Museum of American Art. For more information on this period of Helen's life please see this section.

To the left is an exquisite painting done by Helen Vanderbilt (Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt, Jr.) likely from the time frame of 1936 to 1939. Helen Vanderbilt named all her homes and titled most of her paintings. This one she appropriately named, "In The Tall Ones." Beautiful reflection of a less traveled road through a grove of Redwoods. On the back of the painting, Helen notated that it was painted at "Jedediah Smith St. Pk." This lovely park is located south of Crescent City, California, on Highway 101 and is graced by the one last undisturbed swaths of giant trees left in the United States. The painting is signed "HVAN." and on the back it is written "Helen Vanderbilt," with the title notated, and "OIL." The painting was purchased at an auction in San Francisco and is now held in a private collection near New Orleans.

Please see Part 2 of this odyessy

This new page explores Helen's association
with Sedona's artistic past featuring more art and stories!

The incredible Native American Music is graciously provided by Elan Michaels. The music not only enhances this page but perfectly accompanies Helen Frye's journey into the Navajo-Hopi Lands. To find out more about this amazing musician,
please click below on his logo.

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