Contestants for Miss Beatnik pose beside a piece of beatnik art

1959

Five contestants for the title of Miss Beatnik of 1959 stand before a sample of beatnik artwork ahead of the judging, sponsored by the Venice Arts Committee in Venice, California. The Los Angeles Times caption names them as Michi Monteef, Sammy McCord, Patti McCrory, Shaunna Lea and, at the rear, Jan Vandaveer. The image documents how quickly the Beat scene was turned into a publicity contest.