Photo courtesy of Zada Foltz-Evans Zada
Foltz-Evans, a 1927 alumna (far left) poses in Royce quad
with fellow classmates gathering for a reunion in the 1960s.
By Peijean Tsai
Daily Bruin Contributor
For Zada Folz-Evans, a 1927 alumna from UCLA’s first
graduating class, a feminist spirit and a love of art drove her to
attend college when most of her female counterparts were starting
families and expected to stay at home.
Folz-Evans, 98, was determined to make a living on her own, and
an education was part of her agenda.
While at UCLA, she balanced academics with football games and
marching songs.
“I was a ra-ra girl,” she said, looking back on her
days as a spirited UCLA student.
She was also a member of the Delta Gamma sorority, traveled
around Los Angeles in the “big red car” to attend plays
at the Hollywood Bowl and went on dancing dates at The Grove Hotel
on Wilshire Boulevard and the Biltmore Hotel downtown.
Her life devoted to the creation and teaching of art began in
college.
The curriculum was not just art itself, but how to teach art,
since UCLA was a school to teach students how to be instructors at
the time. Her major had been art, and she graduated with a Bachelor
of Education degree.
Thus began her life in art, which she says has been important in
giving her personal power and financial independence ““ she
was not dependent on a man to bring in all of the household
income.
“Teaching gives you power over other people,” she
said.
Before the Great Depression, most women did not work if they
were married, but with the poor economy it became necessary for
families to have two incomes, she said, adding it became necessary
for her to take on a job as well.
The trend has been changing however, she said.
“Now women don’t work for money reasons, but by
preference. It has become more important for women to follow a
career than stay at home,” she said. “People other than
women can take care of the children.”
Following college, Folz-Evans taught at Los Angeles High School
among others.
Today she continues to teach art to neighbors, friends and the
children of the neighborhood.
“Once a teacher, always a teacher,” she said.
Folz-Evans continues to earn income from the sales of her
paintings, which are mostly landscapes and still-life.
“It’s important to always be financially
independent,” she said.
Besides the practical aspects that art has offered her,
Folz-Evans emphasized the importance of art as a creative form of
expression and the driving force of her life:”Art keeps you
living a long time.”