The Andy Nasisse files relating to self-taught artists measure 0.8 linear feet and date from 1979 to 1986, with additional undated materials. Included are artist files on twenty-five self-taught artists. Files consist primarily of black and white photographs of artists, their artworks, and photographs of unidentified artworks. Also included is a letter discussing artist Howard Finster's first dealer, Jeffrey Camp, and in which Nasisse offers his advice to Finster to limit production of his work. An audio recording of an interview with Miles Carpenter conducted by Nasisse, and a documentary about J. B. Murray, A Video Documentary of an Artist and His Work, are also present in these files. The documentary features many of Murray's paintings and drawings, as well as his comments on his art and visions.
The artists included in the files are Eldren M. (E. M.) Bailey, Miles Carpenter, Tessie Carroll, Emanuel "Litto" Damonte, Samuel Perry (S.P.) Dinsmoor, Sam Doyle, John Ehn, Howard Finster, Laura Pope Forrester, Dilmus Hall, Irene Hall, Bessie Harvey, St. EOM (Eddie Owens Martin), Jeff McKissack, John Milkovitch, J. B. Murray, Grandma Tressa Prisbrey, Dow Pugh, W.T. Ratcliffe (or Ratliff), William Carlton Rice (Mr. Rice), Royal Robertson, James "Son Ford" Thomas, Mose Tolliver, Frank van Zant (Chief Rolling Mountain Thunder), and Brother Joseph Zoetl.
Scope and Contents:
The Andy Nasisse files relating to self-taught artists measure 0.8 linear feet and date from 1979 to 1986, with additional undated materials. Included are artist files on twenty-five self-taught artists. Files consist primarily of black and white photographs of artists, their artworks, and photographs of unidentified artworks. Also included is a letter discussing artist Howard Finster's first dealer, Jeffrey Camp, and in which Nasisse offers his advice to Finster to limit production of his work. An audio recording of an interview with Miles Carpenter conducted by Nasisse, and a documentary about J. B. Murray, A Video Documentary of an Artist and His Work, are also present in these files. The documentary features many of Murray's paintings and drawings, as well as his comments on his art and visions.
The artists included in the files are Eldren M. (E. M.) Bailey, Miles Carpenter, Tessie Carroll, Emanuel "Litto" Damonte, Samuel Perry (S.P.) Dinsmoor, Sam Doyle, John Ehn, Howard Finster, Laura Pope Forrester, Dilmus Hall, Irene Hall, Bessie Harvey, St. EOM (Eddie Owens Martin), Jeff McKissack, John Milkovitch, J. B. Murray, Grandma Tressa Prisbrey, Dow Pugh, W.T. Ratcliffe (or Ratliff), William Carlton Rice (Mr. Rice), Royal Robertson, James "Son Ford" Thomas, Mose Tolliver, Frank van Zant (Chief Rolling Mountain Thunder), and Brother Joseph Zoetl.
Biographical / Historical:
Andy Nasisse (1946-) is a ceramicist sculptor, potter, and former professor at the University of Georgia. Starting in the 1970s, he visited self-taught artists and photographed their art, environments and, in some cases, conducted interviews with them. He has had a solo exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art Georgia and is the recipient of the Art Regional Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts.
Miles Carpenter (also known as Miles Burkholder Carpenter or Miles B. Carpenter) (1889-1985) was a sculptor active in Waverly, Virginia who carved figures and animals from wood and referred to some as "advertisements."
Tessie Carroll was an Oklahoma folk artist known for her rock sculptures and carvings.
Eldren M. (E.M.) Bailey (1903-1987) was an African American sculptor and painter from Atlanta, Georgia whose sculptures were influenced from his background making grave markers.
Emanuel "Litto" Damonte (1892-1985) started collecting hubcaps in 1957 and created an art environment on his property in Napa Country, California, known as Hubcap Ranch.
Samuel Perry (S.P). Dinsmoor (1843-1932) was a Kansan sculptor who designed a sculpture garden at his home called the Garden of Eden," consisting of over 200 concrete works reflecting his religious and political beliefs.
Sam Doyle (1906-1985) was an African American artist born on St. Helena, an island off the coast of South Carolina, whose colorful paintings document the island's people and Gullah culture.
John Ehn (1887-1981) was a former trapper turned sculptor who decorated the landscape of his Californian motel, Old Trapper's Lodge, with sculptures depicting myths and the Old West.
Howard Finster (1916-2001) was a Georgian folk artist and Baptist minister known for his former home, Paradise Garden, consisting of constructions, found objects and sculptures.
Laura Pope Forrester (1873-1953) was a sculptor who created figurative works in her Georgian garden that depicted notable women and fictional characters.
Dilmus Hall (1896-1987) was an African American artist whose sculptural works are associated with religious customs that combine African traditions and Christianity.
Irene Hall was an Oklahoman artist who decorated her home with sculptural works she had made with found objects.
Bessie Harvey (1929-1994) was an African American folk artist from Tennessee who created wooden sculptures often inspired by nature.
Eddie Owens Martin "St. EOM" (1908-1986) was a Georgian artist who created a visionary art environment called Pasaquan.
Jeff McKissack (1902-1980) is the creator of The Orange Show, an art environment constructed in Houston Texas to honor his favorite fruit.
John Milkovitch (1912-1988) was a retired upholsterer who constructed the Beer Can House, by decorating his home with over 50,000 fattened beer cans.
J. B. Murry (1910-1988) (also known as J.B. Murray) was an African American painter who incorporated illegible text in his work which he interpreted with the use of a bottle of well water.
Tressa "Grandma" Prisbrey (1896-1988) constructed numerous structures out of bottles and found objects at her home creating what became known as Grandma Prisbrey's Bottle Village.
Dow Pugh (1906-1993) was an artist from Tennessee who created paintings and sculptural works.
W. T. Ratcliffe was an engineer who, in the 1930s created sculptures in Boulder Park in Jacumba, California.
William Carlton Rice (1930-2004) was a self-ordained minister who created a Cross Garden around his home in Alabama.
Royal Robertson (1936-1997) was an African American artist and self-proclaimed prophet from Louisiana whose work incorporated biblical themes, and references to "girlie magazines" and comic strips.
James "Son Ford" Thomas (1926- 1993) was an African American sculptor and blues musician from Mississippi who is known for his clay skull sculptures.
Mose Tolliver (1919-2006) was an African American folk painter from Alabama who painted with house paint on wood.
Frank van Zant "Chief Rolling Mountain Thunder" (1921-1989) was an Oklahoman artist who created a park in Nevada dedicated to the American Indian known as Thunder Mountain Monument.
Brother Joseph Zoettl (1878-1961) was a monk who constructed a miniature city of famous religious buildings at St. Bernard Abbey known as Ave Maria Grotto.
Related Materials:
Also found in the Archives of American Art are the Photographs and videos of self-taught artists; Willie Ann Wright photographs; Howard Finster papers; John F. Turner research material on Howard Finster; Howard Finster interview and recordings; Videos and slides on Dilmus Hall, Mary T. Smith, and J.B. Murry; Willem Volkersz interviews; and J. B. Murray drawings. There is also an oral history interview with Howard Finster conducted by Liza Kirwin in 1984.
The California State University, Channel Islands holds the Prisbrey bottle village collection. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill holds the Judith McWillie papers. The University of Georgia Special Collections Libraries holds the Howard Finster collection and the Howard Finster Tapes.
Provenance:
The Andy Nasisse files relating to self-taught artists were donated to the Archives of American Art by Andy Nasisse in 1985.
Restrictions:
This collection is open for research. Access to original papers requires an appointment and is limited to the Archives' Washington, D.C. Research Center.
Researchers interested in accessing audiovisual recordings in this collection must use access copies. Contact References Services for more information.
Rights:
Video on J.B. Murray: Authorization to publish, quote, or reproduce requires written permission from Andy Nasisse. Contact Reference Services for more information.
The Archives of American Art makes its archival collections available for non-commercial, educational and personal use unless restricted by copyright and/or donor restrictions, including but not limited to access and publication restrictions. AAA makes no representations concerning such rights and restrictions and it is the user's responsibility to determine whether rights or restrictions exist and to obtain any necessary permission to access, use, reproduce and publish the collections. Please refer to the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for additional information.
An interview of Howard Finster conducted 1984 June 11, by Liza Kirwin, for the Archives of American Art at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C.
Finster speaks of his early childhood; his earliest vision; working as a preacher and a repairman; the construction of his GARDEN OF PARADISE; his mission in life; dealers and exhibitions; and his Chapel of the World's Folk Art Church, Inc.
Biographical / Historical:
Howard Finster (1916-2001) was a self-taught visionary artist and minister from Georgia. Full name: William Howard Finster.
Provenance:
This interview is part of the Archives' Oral History Program, started in 1958 to document the history of the visual arts in the United States, primarily through interviews with artists, historians, dealers, critics and others.
Restrictions:
Transcript available on the Archives of American Art website.
Paradise garden : a trip through Howard Finster's visionary world / by Robert Peacock with Annibel Jenkins ; photography by Mary Ellen Mark, Karekin Goekjian, David Graham, and Alan David
The Willem Voklersz interviews measure 2.6 linear feet and date from 1975-1985. The collection consists of twenty-nine sound cassettes containing thirty-one interviews of folk artists conducted by Volkersz for a personal research project, a monologue, and readings by Volkersz of notes on individual artists. Subjects include folk artists such as Howard Finster, Jesse Howard, and St. EOM (Eddie Owens Martin). Also found are thirty-seven transcripts of the recordings.
Scope and Contents:
The Willem Voklersz interviews measure 2.6 linear feet and date from 1975-1985. The collection consists of twenty-nine sound cassettes containing thirty-one interviews of folk artists conducted by Volkersz for a personal research project, a monologue, and readings by Volkersz of notes on individual artists. Subjects include folk artists such as Howard Finster, Jesse Howard, and St. EOM (Eddie Owens Martin). Also found are thirty-seven transcripts of the recordings.
Arrangement:
The collection is arranged as one series.
Biographical / Historical:
Willem Volkersz is a teacher, collector, and sculptor of Bozeman, Montana, who was born in Holland and came to the United States following World War II. He completed his education at the University of Washington in 1965, and completed a Masters of Fine Art at Mills College in 1967.
Volkersz began researching and collecting work by visionary and naive artists while a professor at the Kansas City Art Institute. His collection is now at the John Michael Kohler Arts Center in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, and the Missoula Art Museum, in Missoula, Montana.
Provenance:
Sound recordings of the Willem Volkersz interviews were donated to the Archives of American Art in 1986 by Willem Volkersz, who made them primarily for his own use as a researcher, collector and teacher of folk art. They were transcribed in 1989 for the Archives of American Art by Toni Reineke.
Restrictions:
This collection is open for research. Access to original papers requires an appointment and is limited to the Archives' Washington, D.C. Research Center. Researchers interested in accessing audiovisual recordings in this collection must use access copies. Contact References Services for more information.
Rights:
The Archives of American Art makes its archival collections available for non-commercial, educational and personal use unless restricted by copyright and/or donor restrictions, including but not limited to access and publication restrictions. AAA makes no representations concerning such rights and restrictions and it is the user's responsibility to determine whether rights or restrictions exist and to obtain any necessary permission to access, use, reproduce and publish the collections. Please refer to the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for additional information.
Willem Volkersz interviews, 1975-1985. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institute.
Sponsor:
The processing of this collection received Federal support from the Smithsonian Collections Care and Preservation Fund, administered by the National Collections Program and the Smithsonian Collections Advisory Committee.
194 slides of the Reverend Howard Finster and his paintings, sculpture, and his garden environment taken by Oppenhimer and others. Included are a copy of Finster's slide set for his lecture on his art and slides of Finster exhibitions: "Sermons in Paint," at the University of Richmond, 1984; "Horse of a Different Drummer," at the Carriage House Gallery, Richmond Arts and Humanities Center, 1982; and an exhibition at Wake Forest University, 1980.
Arrangement:
The slides have been kept in their original storage units that separate Reverend Finster's slides from those taken by Oppenhimer.
Biographical / Historical:
Collector; Richmond, Virginia. Organized the "Sermons in Paint" exhibition and Finster Folk Art Festival at the University of Richmond in 1985.
Provenance:
Donated 1987 by Ann F. Oppenhimer.
Restrictions:
Use of original papers requires an appointment and is limited to the Archives' Washington, D.C., Research Center. Contact Reference Services for more information.
A letter from Finster to Barbara Shissler Nosanow at the National Museum of American Art, discussing his upcoming visit to Washington, D.C. The letter is illustrated in pencil with sketches of Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson, William Henry Harrison, Andrew Jackson and William Shakespeare. Finster writes: "I am excited to be coming to Washington where these great men once had our future responsibility upon them I feel so unworthy to live in a world of luxery (sic) and these great men paved our way..." Also included are several handmade cards and leaflets, enclosed in a note to Nosanow: "I was going to demastrat (sic) how I make these card in the show but we ran out of time."
Biographical / Historical:
Barbara Shissler Nosanow was the curator of an exhibit titled "More than land or sky: art from Appalachia," which ran at the National Museum of American Art from October 30, 1981 to January 3, 1982, and featured works by self-taught artist Howard Finster.
Provenance:
Transferred 1993 from the National Museum of American Art, which received the materials from Howard Finster.
Restrictions:
Use of original papers requires an appointment and is limited to the Archives' Washington, D.C., Research Center. Microfilmed materials must be consulted on microfilm. Contact Reference Services for more information.
Correspondence of Florence Laffal regarding the quarterly newsletter the "Folk Art Finder" (1980-2000); photographs (photocopies); correspondence with John Turner concerning his book manuscript on Finster; photographs of self-taught artists; and printed material concerning exhibitions of the Flo and Jules Laffal collection; and miscellany. Correspondents include Barbara Archer, Julie Ardery, Didi Barrett, Robert Bishop, Russell Bowman, Barbara Brackman, Roger Cardinal, Robert Cargo, Richard Edson, Richard Gasperi, Anton Haardt, John Maizels, Roger McKay, Randall Morris, Marcia Muth Ann F. Oppenhimer, Tom Patterson, Chuck Rosenak, Allie Light and Irving Saraf, John Turner (regarding his manuscript on Howerd Finster), Willem Volkersz, Maude Wahlman, and others. Also included are letters from Howard and Pauline Finster, writings, and color copies of photographs concerning a surprise party honoring Howard Finster on his 67th birthday, November 12, 1983, in Trion, Georgia, organized by Florence and Jules Laffal; a typescript of a talk delivered by Florence Laffal at the symposium "The Cutting Edge, 20th Century American Fok Art Panel: Age of Discovery, 1960-1990"; photographs (mounted on foamcore) are of John Vivolo, Minnie Black, Jack Savitsky, Edgar Tolson, Jimmie Lee Sudduth, Carl McKenzie, William Dawson, and Felicien Levesque that were included in the exhibition 20th Century Folk Art from the Collection of Flo and Jules Laffal at the Lyman Allyn Museum, New London, Conn, 1997.
Biographical / Historical:
Editor, publisher; Essex, Conn.; b. 1921. Florence Laffal was editor and publisher of the quarterly newsletter "Folk Art Finder." Her husband, Julius, was contribution editor and co-publisher. The couple owns and maintains works of art in the Collection of Flo and Jules Laffal.
Provenance:
Donated 2004 by Florence Laffal.
Restrictions:
Use of original papers requires an appointment and is limited to the Archives' Washington, D.C., Research Center. Contact Reference Services for more information.
Reels 4033-4034: Correspondence; writings; printed material; photographs; financial material; and works of art, including stencils, drawings, prints and 'fiber art' by Finster.
Reel 4211: Annotated Polaroid photographs of Finsters' paintings and sculpture, ca. 1977-1980; prints and drawings; "thought cards," "true storys [sic],"poems, song lyrics and other writings by Finster; photographs of his environment, "Paradise Garden," and other works of art.
Biographical / Historical:
Self-taught visionary artist; Georgia.
Provenance:
Material on reels 4033-4034 lent for microfilming 1988 by Howard Finster; material on reel 4211 lent for microfilming 1989 by Jeffrey T. Camp.
Restrictions:
The Archives of American art does not own the original papers. Use is limited to the microfilm copy.
8 Linear feet ((partially microfilmed on 5 reels))
5.4 Linear feet (Addition)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Date:
1969-[ca. 1990]
Scope and Contents:
Correspondence, photographs, slides, files, consigment of works of art to Cavin-Morris, Inc., and an account book for works of art by Howard Finster and Miles B. Carpenter, printed material concerning the Camp's interest and business in American folk art.
REELS 4067-4070: Correspondence with dealers, artists, and others, including Miles B. Carpenter, S.L. Jones, Herbert Waide Hemphill, Jr., Randall and Shari (Cavin) Morris, Phyllis Kind, Carl Hammer, Robert Bishop, Susan Hankla, Victor Musgrave, Roger Cardinal, Gregg Blasdel, Edwin Shelton, Elsa Weiner, and John Beardsley; files on artists Howard Finster, S.L. Jones, Carpenter, Sister Gertrude Morgan, Nellie Mae Rowe, Uncle Jack Dey, Lanier Meaders, Leslie J. Payne, Patsy Billups, and others; photographs of Miles Carpenter, his wood sculpture, and his family, and autobiographical writings by Carpenter; printed material on the American Folk Art Company; clippings, articles, exhibition catalogs, and other printed material about American folk art; and ca. 2,000 photographs of folk art.
REEL 4080: Ca. 50 letters from Howard Finster to Jeffrey Camp; writings by Finster; Camp's notes on Finster; price lists of works by Finster; receipts; and a letter from Camp's lawyer concerning Finster.
UNMICROFILMED: Slides, 1973-1983, of works of art and artists including Patsy Billups, Miles B. Carpenter, Howard Finster, Russell Gillespie, Charles T. Gleason, S.L. Jones, Sister Gertrude Morgan and Leslie J. Payne taken by Camp.
ADDITION: Papers, received in 1999, are primarily a donation of the material previously lent and microfilmed on reels 4067-4070, although some additional material was also donated. The addition most likely does not include material on reel 4080 relating to Howard Finster.
Biographical / Historical:
Folk art dealers, collectors; Richmond, Va. Owned and managed the American Folk Art Company, 1972-1976, Richmond and Tappahannock, Virginia, whose stock included paintings and sculpture by self-taught artists Howard Finster, Miles B. Carpenter, S.L. Jones, Leslie J. Payne, Russell Gillespie and others. The Camps are recognized as key figures in the folk art market of the 1970s.
Provenance:
Papers on reels 4067-4070, and 4080 were lent for microfilming 1987 by Jeffrey and C. Jane Camp. The collection of slides was copied by the Archives. In 1999, the Camps donated much of the material previously lent on reels 4067-4070, as well as some additional papers.
Restrictions:
Use of original papers requires an appointment and is limited to the Archives' Washington, D.C., Research Center. Microfilmed materials must be consulted on microfilm. Contact Reference Services for more information.
An interview of C. Jane and Jeffrey Camp conducted 1987 Dec. 2-1988 Jan. 15, by Liza Kirwin, for the Archives of American Art.
The Camps speak of their family backgrounds and education; Jeffrey's training in public relations; his first wife Emily; opening their store, the American Folk Art Company, in Richmond, Va., in 1972; their early inventory; Emily's role and personality as business partner; the ethics of art dealing; meeting and marrying his second wife, C. Jane Simpson; representing woodcarver Miles B. Carpenter; Jane's role in the American Folk Art Company; dealers, including Randall and Shari Morris, Phyllis Kind, and Jay Johnson in New York, Judith Alexander in Atlanta, and Carl Hammer in Chicago; emotions felt when acquiring objects; their private collection; advice received from Herbert Waide Hemphill, Jr., Michael Hall, and Phyllis Kind about working with artists; discovering and learning about folk art; collecting trips with Hemphill and others; dealings and falling out with Howard Finster; and publications of the American Folk Art Company; specific pieces of art collected and sold; and changing prices in the folk art market.
Biographical / Historical:
C. Jane Camp (1953- ) and Jeffrey Camp (1944- ) are folk art collectors from Richmond, Va. and Ross Shire, Scotland
Provenance:
These interviews are part of the Archives of American Art Oral History Program, started in 1958 to document the history of the visual arts in the United States, primarily through interviews with artists, historians, dealers, critics and others.
Restrictions:
This interview is access restricted; written permission required. Contact Reference Services for more information.
Topic:
Art -- Collectors and collecting -- Virginia -- Richmond -- Interviews Search this
An interview of James and Beth Arient conducted 1988 April 27-29, by Betty Blum, for the Archives of American Art.
The Arients describe their backgrounds and talk about their initial interest in art and early collecting, their philosophy of collecting, their discovery of Eskimo sculpture and their first awareness of folk art. They comment on meeting Howard Finster and their subsequent relationship with him, Finster's relationship with collector Jeff Camp, the marketability of folk art, a 1987 exhibition of part of their collection at Northern Illinois University Art Gallery, and folk art patronage. They recall William Dawson and Derek Webster.
Biographical / Historical:
James Arient (1946-) and Beth Arient (1946-) are folk art collectors from Chicago, Illinois. James Arient is a dentist.
General:
Originally recorded on 3 sound cassettes. Reformatted in 2010 as 6 digital wav files. Duration is 4 hr., 29 min.
Provenance:
These interviews are part of the Archives' Oral History Program, started in 1958 to document the history of the visual arts in the United States, primarily through interviews with artists, historians, dealers, critics and others.
Topic:
Art -- Collectors and collecting -- Illinois -- Chicago -- Interviews Search this
Folk art -- Collectors and collecting -- United States Search this
Genre/Form:
Sound recordings
Interviews
Sponsor:
Funding for the digital preservation of this interview was provided by a grant from the Save America's Treasures Program of the National Park Service.
