Francis
Austin "Pop" Cloonan arrived in San Antonio in 1909 having been the
chief designer at Luna Park, Coney Island for seven years. He had
emigrated to the United States as a boy from Ireland. While in New
York he also painted scenery for the New York stage. He opened a
paint supply store and became active with the San Antonio Art League
and the San Antonio Artists Guild, first exhibiting in 1924. He also
exhibited in the San Antonio Local Exhibitions at the Witte Memorial
Museum and at River Art Shows shortly before his death. While in San
Antonio, he painted scenery at the Grand Opera House and at the
Empire, Royal and Princess theaters. He also designed floats in New
York and at the Fiesta de San Jacinto in San Antonio.