Archives West Finding Aid

Leland Karr Irvine (1909-1998) was born in Salt Lake City, Utah. He graduated from the University of Utah in 1932 with a degree in electrical engineering, and later served in various capacities at that same institution, including adjunct professor of architecture. He was a member of many national engineering societies and authored several publications concerning acoustical engineering.

Ada Lemuella Chamberlin (1910-2001) was born in Salt Lake City. She was the daughter of Wycliffe Lenoir Chamberlin and Ada Wilson Chamberlin. She grew up in Salt Lake City and attended West High School, graduating in the class of 1927. She attended the University of Utah where she performed in some of the early dance concerts of Orchesis. She graduated from the University of Utah with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art Education in 1932. Ada married Leland Karr Irvine in 1933. He died in 1998, a few months after their 65th anniversary.

Ada was an active, professional artist who worked in a variety of media. She worked in cut paper silhouettes, pencil sketches, ink drawings, clay sculptures, fiber designs, watercolors, oils and etchings. She was best known for her pastel portraits, figure drawings and abstract serigraph prints. Her work has been exhibited at Phillips Gallery, the Intermountain Biennial Utah State Show, the Springville Art Museum, the Salt Lake Art Center and the Salt Lake County Art Collection. Her works are also in private collections in many states.

She was an active supporter of the arts in Utah. She served for several years on the Board of the Repertory Dance Theater at the time of its inception. She also served several years on the Board of the Children's Dance Theater.

Ada Irvine and Lee Irvine often organized and hosted activities for many local civic organizations such as the Salt Lake Junior Chamber of Commerce, Associated Utah Artists, the Utah Symphony Board, the Salt Lake City Library Board, Kawanis Club, Children's Dance Theater, and several professional engineering organizations.

Source: Deseret News. "Obituary: Ada Chamberlin Irvine." Deseret News, April 27, 2001. https://www.deseret.com/2001/4/27/19583212/obituary-ada-chamberlin-irvine.