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Walter Heil papers, 1929-1973

Creator:
Heil, Walter, 1890-1973  Search this
M.H. De Young Memorial Museum  Search this
Subject:
Public Works of Art Project  Search this
Place:
United States -- Social conditions -- California -- San Francisco
Citation:
Walter Heil papers, 1929-1973. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.
Topic:
New Deal, 1933-1939 -- California  Search this
Federal aid to the arts -- California -- San Francisco  Search this
Theme:
Research and writing about art  Search this
Record number:
(DSI-AAA_CollID)7706
(DSI-AAA_SIRISBib)209870
AAA_collcode_heilwalt
Theme:
Research and writing about art
Data Source:
Archives of American Art
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:AAADCD_coll_209870

Walter Heil papers

Creator:
Heil, Walter, 1890-1973  Search this
M.H. de Young Memorial Museum  Search this
Public Works of Art Project  Search this
Extent:
5.6 Linear feet
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Place:
United States -- Social conditions -- California -- San Francisco
Date:
1929-1973
Scope and Contents:
UNMICROFILMED: Correspondence; photographs; engagement calendars; printed and manuscript material; catalogues; business material.
Reel NDA 3: Two notebooks containing names and addresses of San Francisco and Bay area artists interested in being employed on the Public Works of Art Project (PWAP); payroll data; artists submitting work ideas; reports of artists; record of sketches and paintings submitted by Bay area artists, Dec. 1933-Jan. 1934; report of the Regional Committee of PWAP (Region 15)--Northern California discussing the work executed for the Project in Northern California, Nevada, Utah, and Hawaii; and miscellaneous correspondence.
Biographical / Historical:
Director of the M.H. de Young Memorial Museum, San Francisco, Calif., 1933-196 and the Region 15--Northern California, Nevada, and Utah--director of the Public Works of Art Project (PWAP).
Provenance:
Mrs. Leyland Stevens, daughter of Walter Heil, donated the papers in 1974. In 1983, 2 engagement calendars and 5 items of correspondence were found at the M.H. De Young Museum and turned over to the Archives. In 1964, Lewis Ferbrache loaned some material for microfilming on reel NDA 3; originals were returned to Lewis Ferbrache after microfilming.
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.
Occupation:
Art historians -- California -- San Francisco  Search this
Museum directors -- California -- San Francisco  Search this
Topic:
New Deal, 1933-1939 -- California  Search this
Federal aid to the arts -- California -- San Francisco  Search this
Identifier:
AAA.heilwalt
Archival Repository:
Archives of American Art
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/mw999ad5cea-6531-42dc-aaf1-46b375caa3b9
EDAN-URL:
ead_collection:sova-aaa-heilwalt

Prisoner's Plea

Artist:
Josephine Joy, born North River Mills, WV 1869-died Peoria, IL 1948  Search this
Medium:
oil on fiberboard
Dimensions:
23 7/8 x 28 in. (60.8 x 71.0 cm)
Type:
Painting
Folk Art
Date:
ca. 1935-1937
Topic:
Figure group  Search this
Fantasy  Search this
Asian Indian  Search this
New Deal\Works Progress Administration, Federal Art Project\California  Search this
Architecture Interior\civic\prison  Search this
Architecture Interior\castle  Search this
State of being\other\imprisonment  Search this
Credit Line:
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from General Services Administration
Object number:
1971.447.38
Restrictions & Rights:
Usage conditions apply
See more items in:
Smithsonian American Art Museum Collection
Department:
Painting and Sculpture
Data Source:
Smithsonian American Art Museum
GUID:
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/vk7747d3f12-2c34-406e-9232-a945d7f9e03c
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:saam_1971.447.38

Edward Bruce papers

Creator:
Bruce, Edward, 1879-1943  Search this
Names:
Public Works of Art Project  Search this
United States. Dept. of the Treasury. Section of Fine Arts  Search this
Biddle, George, 1885-1973  Search this
Dornbush, Adrian  Search this
Dows, Olin, 1904-1981  Search this
Roosevelt, Eleanor, 1884-1962  Search this
Roosevelt, Franklin D. (Franklin Delano), 1882-1945  Search this
Stein, Leo, 1872-1947  Search this
Sterne, Maurice, 1878-1957  Search this
Extent:
8.9 Linear feet
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Diaries
Scrapbooks
Photographs
Place:
United States -- Politics and government -- 1933-1945
United States -- Social conditions -- 1933-1945
Date:
1902-1960
bulk 1932-1942
Summary:
The Edward Bruce papers measure 8.9 linear feet and date from 1902 to 1960, with the bulk of the material dating from 1932 to 1942. The collection documents Bruce's work as an artist, art collector, exhibition juror, and federal government art administrator, particularly his tenure as Director of the U. S. Treasury Department's Section of Fine Arts. Well over one-half of the collection consists of extensive correspondence with artists, art collectors and dealers, arts associations, galleries, and government officials, including President and Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Scope and Content Note:
The Edward Bruce papers measure 8.9 linear feet and date from 1902 to 1960, with the bulk of the material dating from 1932 to 1942. The collection documents Bruce's work as an artist, art collector, exhibition juror, and federal government art administrator, particularly his tenure as Director of the U. S. Treasury Department's Section of Fine Arts. Well over one-half of the collection consists of extensive correspondence with many notable artists and government officials. Also found is scattered biographical material, office diaries and speeches, personal financial material, printed material, four scrapbooks, and photographs.

A small amount of biographical material includes birth records and many awards and certificates. Bruce's correspondence files comprise over half of this collection, containing correspondence with family, friends, artists, art organizations, political figures, museums, art galleries, and government agencies. Found within the files is extensive correspondence with friend and art critic Leo Stein and artist friend Maurice Sterne. Additional artists Bruce corresponded with include George Biddle, Adrian Dornbush, and Olin Dows. Also included is correspondence documenting his career as Chief of the Treasury Department's Section of Fine Arts with government colleagues and officials, much of it concerning his role on various federal arts committees, including the Commission of Fine Arts. There is also extensive correspondence with Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt concerning federal and public art projects.

Writings include office diaries and notebooks containing notes, addresses, lists of Section of Fine Arts projects, and dated work entries. There are copies of numerous written speeches given by Bruce on the importance of art, public art projects, and political issues. Financial material consists of a small number of items documenting Bruce's financial activity such as tax and insurance records, bills, a cash book, and house leases. Printed material documents Edward Bruce's career as an artist and federal arts projects and programs. Found are news clippings and magazine articles, exhibition catalogs, brochures, bulletins from the Section of Fine Arts, published speeches, and miscellaneous publications. Four scrapbooks contain news clippings, letters, photographs, and other printed material highlighting Bruce's career.

Extensive photographs include photographs of Bruce's artwork, portraits of Bruce, the Bruces with family and with friends and at many special events, including an NBC radio broadcast and at an exhibition with Eleanor Roosevelt. There are also photographs taken by Bruce during his travels and while living in Anticoli Carrado, Italy.
Arrangement:
The Edward Bruce collection is arranged into 7 series:

Missing Title

Series 1: Biographical Material, circa 1904-1938 (Box 1, OV 11; 3 folders)

Series 2: Correspondence, circa 1921-1957 (Boxes 1-6; 5.5 linear feet)

Series 3: Writings, circa 1931-1942 (Box 6; 0.3 linear feet)

Series 4: Financial Material, circa 1909-1913, circa 1928-1943(Box 6, 0.3 linear feet)

Series 5: Printed Material, circa 1919, circa 1926-1943, 1960 (Box 7, 0.5 linear feet)

Series 6: Scrapbooks, 1922-1941 (Box 7-8; 0.8 linear feet)

Series 7: Photographs, circa 1902-1943 (Box 7, 9-10; 1.0 linear foot)

Although the collection no longer matches the exact filmed order, large groups of materials have been maintained in film order, particularly the correspondence. Microfilm reel and frame number notations are provided at the folder level when known.
Biographical Note:
Edward Bruce was born in 1879 in Dover Plains, New York. Though he enjoyed painting at a young age, he pursued a career in law and graduated from Columbia Law School in 1904. He practiced law in New York and in Manila, Philippines and was actively involved in international issues. He became president of the Pacific Development Corporation of California, was a lobbyist for the Philippine Independence Bill, and, in 1933, attended the London Economic Conference as a silver expert.

In 1923 Bruce gave up his career in law and business and began to paint, particularly landscapes. He and his wife Peggy spent the next six years in Anticoli Carrado, Italy where he studied painting from his friend and fellow artist Maurice Sterne. Bruce returned to the United States in 1929 and settled in California, exhibiting his artwork to much public and critical praise. In addition, Bruce was an avid collector of Chinese art.

In 1933 Bruce was appointed Chief of the newly established Public Works of Art Project, a federal government New Deal program within the U.S. Treasury Department, that employed artists to decorate numerous public buildings and parks. Though this federal program lasted less than a year, Bruce worked with Secretary of the Treasury Henry Morgenthau, Jr., to establish the Treasury Department's Section of Painting and Sculpture in 1934 - later renamed the Section of Fine Arts in 1938. Bruce was appointed Director of the department and played a primary role in securing federal government support for American artists. In 1940 he was appointed to the Commission of Fine Arts by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

Bruce received many honors and awards during his lifetime both for his work as an artist and for his capable and dedicated administration of federal arts programs. Despite poor health, he continued his work for the Section of Fine Arts until shortly before his death in 1943.
Related Material:
Other resources in the Archives relating to Edward Bruce include an oral history interview with Margaret (Peggy) Bruce on October 11, 1963 conducted by Harlan Phillips. Miscellaneous Manuscript Collections include one file of material, 1933-1960, concerning Edward Bruce that was donated by the U.S. General Services Administration in 1986 and microfilmed on reel 3960.

Also available at the Archives are two collections of records loaned by the U.S. National Archives from their Public Buildings Administration records and the records of the Public Works of Art Project for microfilming by the Archives. Microfilm reels DC1-DC 13 and DC116-DC128 contain Edward Bruce's files and correspondence, respectively.
Separated Material:
A book Art in Federal Buildings by Forbes Watson and Edward Bruce was donated to AAA with Bruce's papers and microfilmed with the rest of collection on Microfilm Reel D91-D92, and then transferred to the Smithsonian American Art Museum Library.
Provenance:
The Edward Bruce papers were donated by Margaret (Peggy) Bruce, Edward Bruce's wife, in 1962. Additional printed material, financial records, and photographs of artwork were donated by Mrs. Bruce's niece, Maria Ealand in 1979.
Restrictions:
The collection is open for research. The collection is partially microfilmed. Use of material not microfilmed requires an appointment.
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.
Occupation:
Painters  Search this
Arts administrators  Search this
Topic:
New Deal, 1933-1939  Search this
Federal aid to the arts  Search this
Art, American  Search this
Art and state  Search this
Art, Modern -- 20th century -- United States  Search this
Genre/Form:
Diaries
Scrapbooks
Photographs
Citation:
Edward Bruce papers, 1902-1960 (bulk 1932-1942). Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.
Identifier:
AAA.brucedwa
See more items in:
Edward Bruce papers
Archival Repository:
Archives of American Art
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/mw974a5ae73-b9a3-4cce-a3ec-77c07cc1ce18
EDAN-URL:
ead_collection:sova-aaa-brucedwa
Online Media:

William E. L. Bunn papers

Creator:
Bunn, William E. L., 1910-2009  Search this
Names:
United States. Dept. of the Treasury. Section of Fine Arts  Search this
United States. Dept. of the Treasury. Section of Painting and Sculpture  Search this
United States. General Services Administration  Search this
W.A. Sheaffer Pen Company  Search this
Allen, Lee, 1910-2006  Search this
Wood, Grant, 1891-1942  Search this
Extent:
13.4 Linear feet
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Photographs
Blueprints
Sketchbooks
Drawings
Transcriptions
Watercolors
Sketches
Interviews
Designs
Diaries
Date:
1863-2009
Summary:
The papers of painter, muralist, and designer William E. L. Bunn measure 13.4 linear feet and date from 1863-2009. The collection documents Bunn's career as a painter, industrial designer, and his work on Treasury Department post office mural commissions through biographical material, scattered correspondence, project files, industrial design records, diaries and journals, writings and notes, printed material, photographs, and artwork. Also found are Bunn's papers regarding Grant Wood.
Scope and Content Note:
The papers of painter, muralist, and designer William E. L. Bunn measure 13.4 linear feet and date from 1863-2009. The collection documents Bunn's career as a painter, industrial designer, and his work on Treasury Department post office mural commissions through biographical material, scattered correspondence, project files, industrial design records, diaries and journals, writings and notes, printed material, photographs, and artwork. Also found are Bunn's papers regarding Grant Wood.

Biographical material consists of certificates, school records, Bunn family genealogy records, an interview transcript, and an autobiographical file maintained by Bunn containing professional summaries, lists of works, one motion picture film reel of home movies, and other records. Correspondence documents exhibitions, awards, mural projects, and other commissions. Of note is correspondence with the General Services Administration, friend and fellow artist Lee Allen, and illustrated envelopes Bunn sent to his wife Annavene.

Project files contain photographs, notes, sketches, correspondence, and news clippings. Included is Bunn's notebook "Index to Projects" which provides additional information. Industrial design records include drawings and blueprints, employment records, photographs and publications, primarily from his work at Sheaffer Pen Company and Cuckler Steele Span Company.

Bunn's papers relating to Grant Wood include documentation from the Grant Wood Art Festival, as well as printed material, notes, and correspondence about Wood. Also found are photographs, including two photographs of Wood and photographs of his residence in Iowa City. Forty-one diaries and journals date from 1929-1951 and 1969-2003. Early diaries document art projects and school activities while he was a student at University of Iowa. Later journals document his work, travel, expenditures, and goals. Writings and notes include to-do lists, documentation on people Bunn knew, his artworks, lists of personal belongings, and topics of interest, such as astrology and steamboats. Also found are five notebooks on various subjects.

Printed material consists of exhibition catalogs, magazines, news clippings, and Treasury Department bulletins. Also found are announcements of mural competitions, postcards, and published images of steamboats. Photographs depict Bunn, his family, friends, and artwork. Additional photographs depict various subjects that were of interest to Bunn, including nature scenes, steamboats, airplanes, and bridges.

Artwork includes costume and theater designs created as part of William Bunn's thesis at University of Iowa. Also included are drawings and watercolors for potential art projects, as well as preliminary drawings and studies or technical drawings from his work as an industrial designer. Additionally, there are four sketchbooks, two of which include sketches and notes for the post office murals in Minden, Nebraska, and Hamburg, Iowa.
Arrangement:
The collection is arranged as 10 series:

Missing Title

Series 1: Biographical Material, 1910-2009 (Box 1, 12, FC 33; 0.7 linear feet)

Series 2: Correspondence, 1927-2006 (Box 1; 0.3 linear feet)

Series 3: Project Files, circa 1925-2002 (Box 1-3, 12, OV 15-19, RD 31; 2.2 linear feet)

Series 4: Industrial Design Records, circa 1944-1977 (Box 3, 12, OV 20; 0.6 linear feet)

Series 5: Papers Relating to Grant Wood, 1935-2006 (Box 3-4, 12; 0.5 linear feet)

Series 6: Diaries and Journals, 1929-2003 (Box 4-6; 2.2 linear feet)

Series 7: Writings and Notes, circa 1928-2004 (Box 6-7; 1.0 linear foot)

Series 8: Printed Material, 1896-2009 (Box 7-8, 12, OV 21; 1.4 linear feet)

Series 9: Photographs, 1863-1990s (Box 8-9, 13; 1.6 linear feet)

Series 10: Artwork, circa 1926-2004 (Box 9-11, 14, OVs 22-30, RD 32; 2.3 linear feet)
Biographical Note:
William E. L. Bunn (1910-2009) was a designer, muralist, and painter in Ft. Madison, Iowa and Ojai, California. Bunn was born in Muscatine, Iowa and received his B.A. in Graphic and Plastic Arts and an M.A. in Theater Design, both from the University of Iowa. In 1937 he was awarded a one-year post-graduate fellowship as an art intern for Grant Wood. From 1938 to 1942 he won four commissions from the Treasury Department to produce murals for Federal buildings. He also exhibited paintings, primarily depicting Mississippi River steamboats, at the National Academy of Design, Art Institute of Chicago, Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, and other group shows. Beginning in 1943 Bunn worked as an industrial designer at several companies including Sheaffer Pen Company (1946-1967) and Cuckler Steele Span Company (1967-1977). After his retirement, he and his wife, Annavene, moved to California, and he continued to paint. Bunn was also active in the Theosophical Society and had an interest in aviation.
Provenance:
The collection was donated by William E. L. Bunn in 1989 and in 2010 by Bunn's daughter, Chari Petrowski. In 1986 two sketchbooks and sketches were transferred with Bunn's permssion from the General Services Administration, which had received them from Bunn.
Restrictions:
Use of original papers requires an appointment. Use of archival audiovisual recordings with no duplicate copy requires advance notice.
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.
Topic:
Designers -- Iowa  Search this
Federal aid to the arts  Search this
Muralists -- Iowa  Search this
Mural painting and decoration -- Middle West  Search this
New Deal, 1933-1939  Search this
Genre/Form:
Photographs
Blueprints
Sketchbooks
Drawings
Transcriptions
Watercolors
Sketches
Interviews
Designs
Diaries
Citation:
William E. L. Bunn papers, 1863-2009. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.
Identifier:
AAA.bunnwill
See more items in:
William E. L. Bunn papers
Archival Repository:
Archives of American Art
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/mw91212b330-04e0-4bcb-8ed7-8787c0f37d84
EDAN-URL:
ead_collection:sova-aaa-bunnwill

PWAP Region 15 (Calif.) records

Creator:
Public Works of Art Project  Search this
Names:
United States. Dept. of the Treasury. Section of Fine Arts  Search this
Bruce, Edward, 1879-1943  Search this
McChesney, Mary Fuller  Search this
Strong, Ray, 1905-2006  Search this
Extent:
11 Items ((on partial microfilm reel))
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Place:
United States -- Economic conditions -- 1918-1945 -- California -- San Francisco
United States -- Social conditions -- 1933-1945 -- California -- San Francisco
Date:
1934-1964
Scope and Contents:
Miscellaneous correspondence of Walter Heil, regional director of PWAP, 1934; form letters from Edward Bruce, national director; and a typescript reminiscence of the PWAP and a letter from Ray Strong addressed to Mary McChesney and dated 1964.[Microfilm title, "Ray Strong"]
Biographical / Historical:
Federally funded art project of the Treasury Department initiated in order to provide jobs for unemployed artists during the Depression. Under the PWAP the country was divided into 16 regions each of which had its own director who answered to the national director in Washington, D.C. The PWAP was succeeded by the Section of Painting and Sculpture, which subsequently became the Section of Fine Arts.
Provenance:
Lent for microfilming 1964 by the M.H. De Young Museum.
Restrictions:
The Archives of American art does not own the original papers. Use is limited to the microfilm copy.
Topic:
New Deal, 1933-1939 -- California -- San Francisco  Search this
Federal aid to the arts -- California -- San Francisco  Search this
Federal aid to the public welfare -- California -- San Francisco  Search this
Art and state -- California -- San Francisco  Search this
Identifier:
AAA.publwoca
Archival Repository:
Archives of American Art
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/mw96976178e-0249-4eed-8ea0-643dfa364f7e
EDAN-URL:
ead_collection:sova-aaa-publwoca

Bernice Fisher letter and photographs

Creator:
Fisher, Bernice  Search this
Names:
Federal Art Project (Calif.)  Search this
Extent:
6 Items ((on partial microfilm reel))
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Date:
1939-1942
Scope and Contents:
One letter to Fisher from Joseph Allen, state director, Northern California Federal Art Project; a photograph of Fisher; and four photographs of her work.
Biographical / Historical:
Bernice Fisher is a ceramist and painter from San Francisco, Calif. Painted canvases and created ceramics for the Federal Art Project.
Provenance:
Lent for microfilming 1965 by Bernice Fisher.
Restrictions:
The Archives of American art does not own the original papers. Use is limited to the microfilm copy.
Occupation:
Painters -- California -- San Francisco  Search this
Ceramicists -- California -- San Francisco  Search this
Topic:
New Deal, 1933-1939  Search this
Federal aid to the arts  Search this
Federal aid to the public welfare  Search this
Art and state -- California  Search this
Women artists  Search this
Women painters  Search this
Women ceramicists  Search this
Identifier:
AAA.fishbern
Archival Repository:
Archives of American Art
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/mw9b97e59ec-18f9-4ce3-94c7-f3cecc4eca31
EDAN-URL:
ead_collection:sova-aaa-fishbern

Marian Simpson clippings and photographs

Creator:
Simpson, Marian Hahn, 1899-1978  Search this
Names:
Federal Art Project (Calif.)  Search this
Extent:
2 Reels (ca.20 items (on partial microfilm reels))
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Reels
Place:
United States -- Economic conditions -- 1918-1945 -- California -- Oakland -- Photographs
United States -- Social conditions -- 1933-1945 -- California -- Oakland -- Photographs
Date:
1934-1958
Scope and Contents:
Photographs and clippings.
Reel NDA 1: Photographs of marble panels for the Alameda County Courthouse in Oakland, California done for the Federal Art Project.
Reel NDA 3(frames 21-30): Newpaper clippings from San Francisco, Oakland and Los Angeles papers on Simpson's murals and mosaics, 1934 and 1958.[untitled on microfilm]
Biographical / Historical:
Marian Simpson (1899-1978) was a painter and mosaicist from Berkeley, Calif. Worked on the Federal Art Project of the Work Projects Administration.
Provenance:
Material on reel NDA 1 lent for microfilming 1964 by Marian Simpson; and material on reel NDA 3 lent 1964 by Lewis Ferbrache.
Restrictions:
The Archives of American art does not own the original papers. Use is limited to the microfilm copy.
Occupation:
Muralists -- California -- Berkeley  Search this
Painters -- California -- Berkeley  Search this
Topic:
New Deal, 1933-1939 -- California -- Oakland -- Photographs  Search this
Federal aid to the arts -- California -- Oakland -- Photographs  Search this
Federal aid to the public welfare -- California -- Oakland -- Photographs  Search this
Art and state -- California -- Oakland -- Photographs  Search this
Women artists  Search this
Women painters  Search this
Women muralists  Search this
Identifier:
AAA.simpmari
Archival Repository:
Archives of American Art
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/mw934251519-d757-49e0-aa3f-d03f3ad40387
EDAN-URL:
ead_collection:sova-aaa-simpmari

Dorothy Collins papers

Creator:
Collins, Dorothy, 1893-  Search this
Names:
Hardy, Merlin C., 1910-1984  Search this
Kerr, Florence  Search this
Lehman, Carlton, 1911-  Search this
Overmyer, Grace  Search this
Stackpole, Adele  Search this
Zakheim, Bernard Baruch, 1898-1985  Search this
Extent:
2 Reels (ca. 35 items (on 2 microfilm reel))
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Reels
Place:
United States -- Economic conditions -- 1918-1945 -- California
United States -- Social conditions -- 1933-1945 -- California
Date:
1939-1942
Scope and Contents:
Typescripts, correspondence, clippings, photographs, and building plans.
Reel NDA 10: Clippings, photographs, building plans, and blueprints relating to the mural decoration of Fort Ord, California, Enlisted Men's Club for the Federal Art Project by artists Carlton Lehman and Merlin Hardy; and a report from Florence Kerr and a document relating to work of the supervisors of WPA and FAP projects [The report and document are under the microfilm title Florence Kerr];
and a FAP publication, WPA GOVERNMENT AID DURING THE DEPRESSION TO PROFESSIONAL, TECHNICAL, AND OTHER SERVICE WORKERS, 1936, by Grace Overmyer [Microfilm title Grace Overmyer].
Reel NDA 14: Typescript of an article by Adele Stackpole, "Relief Again? What Will You Get for What They Give?" in which she is critical of the WPA; and CALIFORNIA'S MEDICAL STORY IN FRESNO, anon., 1939, which includes illustrations of Bernard Zakheim's murals for the medical school in Fresno; a clipping, and articles by him and his wife; and group photograph of supervisors, artists and assistants in the FAP in San Francisco, April 1936.[Microfilm titles Adele Stackpole, Bernard Zakheim, and WPA-FAP, San Francisco]
Biographical / Historical:
Supervisor, Federal Art Project, Northern California. Supervised the decoration of the Fort Ord's Enlisted Men's Club, which was the last large Federal Art Project and WPA building project in Northern California.
Other Title:
WPA-FAP, San Francisco [microfilm title]
Overmyer, Grace [microfilm title]
Stackpole, Adele [microfilm title]
Zakheim, Bernard [microfilm title]
Provenance:
Lent for microfilming 1964 by Dorothy Collins.
Restrictions:
The Archives of American art does not own the original papers. Use is limited to the microfilm copy.
Occupation:
Arts administrators -- California  Search this
Topic:
New Deal, 1933-1939  Search this
Federal aid to the arts  Search this
Federal aid to the public welfare  Search this
Mural painting and decoration  Search this
Art and state -- California  Search this
Women arts administrators  Search this
Identifier:
AAA.colldoro
Archival Repository:
Archives of American Art
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/mw93b21b4d1-69d3-488b-b77f-57ab51e9b4bb
EDAN-URL:
ead_collection:sova-aaa-colldoro

Arthur Painter papers of the Federal Art Project

Creator:
Painter, Arthur  Search this
Names:
Federal Art Project (Calif.)  Search this
Federal Art Project. National Art Week  Search this
United States Information Service  Search this
Forbes, Helen, 1891-1945  Search this
Puccinelli, Dorothy Wagner, 1901-  Search this
Extent:
40 Items ((on partial microfilm reel))
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Place:
United States -- Economic conditions -- 1918-1945 -- California -- San Francisco
United States -- Social conditions -- 1933-1945 -- California -- San Francisco
Date:
1938-1941
Scope and Contents:
Publicity, correspondence, clippings, photographs, travel receipts, and telegrams relating to the dedication of the Noah's Ark murals by Dorothy Puccinelli and Helen Forbes at Fleishacker Mother's House in San Francisco Zoo; and correspondence, field reports, committee lists, publicity, photographs relating to National Art Week in Northern California.
Biographical / Historical:
Director of Information, Federal Art Project; Northern California.
Provenance:
The materials microfilmed are from the files of Arthur Painter, but were loaned to AAA through Lewis Ferbrache who was a collector for AAA's "New Deal and the Arts" project.
Restrictions:
The Archives of American art does not own the original papers. Use is limited to the microfilm copy.
Occupation:
Arts administrators  Search this
Public officers  Search this
Topic:
New Deal, 1933-1939 -- California -- San Francisco  Search this
Federal aid to the arts -- California -- San Francisco  Search this
Federal aid to the public welfare -- California -- San Francisco  Search this
Art and state -- California -- San Francisco  Search this
Mural painting and decoration -- 20th century -- California -- San Francisco  Search this
Identifier:
AAA.painarth
Archival Repository:
Archives of American Art
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/mw965057b8b-25a9-4a05-974c-17484dcb88d6
EDAN-URL:
ead_collection:sova-aaa-painarth

Russell Vernon Hunter papers

Creator:
Hunter, Russell Vernon, 1900-1955  Search this
Names:
Federal Art Project (N.M.)  Search this
Blumenschein, Ernest Leonard, 1874-1960  Search this
Dehn, Adolf, 1895-1968  Search this
Mozley, Loren, 1905-  Search this
Mozley, Loren, 1905-  Search this
O'Keeffe, Georgia, 1887-1986  Search this
O'Keeffe, Georgia, 1887-1986  Search this
Extent:
420 Items ((on 4 microfilm reels))
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Place:
United States -- Economic conditions -- 1918-1945 -- New Mexico
United States -- Social conditions -- 1933-1945 -- New Mexico
Date:
1923-1979
Scope and Contents:
Biographical data; correspondence; sketches; exhibition materials; photographs; clippings; and press releases.
Reels 3028-3030: Biographical data; correspondence with Ernest Blumenschein, Adolf Dehn, Loren Mozley, Georgia O'Keeffe and others; a transcript of an interview with Hunter's widow, Virginia Hunter Ewing, Janaury 7, 1964, regarding Hunter's tenure as State Director for the Federal Art Program of WPA in New Mexico; illustrated typescripts of Hunter's manuscripts; price lists and appraisals of his work; 4 undated sketchbooks of figure studies; annotated drawings of furniture, interior designs and mural studies; a scrapbook, 1925-1960, of newspaper clippings and other printed material; exhibition catalogs; magazine clippings; photos of Hunter, his paintings and murals, and his interior design for the Officer's Club, Army Air Base, Clovis, New Mexico.
Reel NDA 1: Press clippings and a memorial bulletin from the Roswell Museum in New Mexico where he was an administrator.
Biographical / Historical:
Painter, administrator and designer; Sante Fe, New Mexico. State director of the Federal Art Project of the Work Projects Administration, a federally aided project to provide employment to artists during the Depression.
Provenance:
The lender, Mrs. Ewing, is the widow of Hunter. Material on reel NDA 1 lent by Mrs. Ewing.
Restrictions:
The Archives of American art does not own the original papers. Use is limited to the microfilm copy.
Occupation:
Arts administrators -- New Mexico  Search this
Designers -- New Mexico  Search this
Painters -- New Mexico  Search this
Topic:
New Deal, 1933-1939 -- New Mexico  Search this
Federal aid to the arts -- New Mexico  Search this
Art and state -- New Mexico  Search this
Federal aid to the public welfare -- New Mexico  Search this
Identifier:
AAA.huntruss
Archival Repository:
Archives of American Art
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/mw93beb0a5a-c613-4993-b0e7-237c8861c4cc
EDAN-URL:
ead_collection:sova-aaa-huntruss

Photographs relating to the WPA Southern California Art Project

Creator:
Perret, Ferdinand, 1888-1960  Search this
Names:
Federal Art Project (Calif.) -- Photographs  Search this
Extent:
0.2 Linear feet
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Place:
United States -- Social conditions -- 1933-1945
Date:
circa 1937-1941
Scope and Contents:
137 b&w photographs compiled by Ferdinand Perret relating to the WPA Southern California Art Project. Depicted are the WPA-FAP Print Department, Los Angeles; Canoga Park petrachrome in progress, 1940; George Washington High School petrachrome in progress; Long Beach Municipal Auditorium tile mosaic; petrachrome seal of Santa Monica, Santa Monica City Hall, 1941; and works of art by Paul Babcock, Glenn Bannister, Grace Clements, Henry Gilbert de Kruif, Ethel Evans, Miriam Farrington, Lorser Feitelson, Henry Helmle, Donal Hord, E.D. Horsky, Harold Gebhardt, Paul Julian, Albert King, Ludwig Kuszewski, Paul Hambleton Landacre, Henry Lion, Helen Lundeberg, Stanton Macdonald-Wright, Buckley MacGurrin, Benjamin Newton Messick, Marjorie Morse, Jean Swiggett, Harry Mann Waddell, and others. Many of the photographs are duplicates. Also found is a letter from California artist, Benjamin Messick to Perret regarding printed material for Perret's research libary.
Biographical / Historical:
Perret was a painter and art restorer whose work led him to begin serious art research. He amassed a large collection of material relating to California art and artists.
Related Materials:
The Ferdinand Perret research material on California art and artists collection is located at the Smithsonian Institution Smithsonian American Art Museum Library.
Provenance:
Transferred in 1993 and 2015 from the National Museum of American Art Library, where it been received in 1949 as part of the Ferdinand Perret Research Library of the Arts and Affiliated Sciences.
Restrictions:
Use requires an appointment and is limited to the Archives' Washington, D.C. Research Center.
Topic:
Art, American -- California -- Photographs  Search this
Federal aid to the arts -- California -- Photographs  Search this
New Deal, 1933-1939 -- California  Search this
Art and state -- California  Search this
Identifier:
AAA.perrferd1
Archival Repository:
Archives of American Art
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/mw98968364c-6426-46c1-8b77-1beef9921256
EDAN-URL:
ead_collection:sova-aaa-perrferd1

California Federal Art Project papers

Creator:
Federal Art Project (Calif.)  Search this
Names:
United States. Work Projects Administration  Search this
United States. Works Progress Administration  Search this
McChesney, Mary Fuller  Search this
Extent:
6 Reels (ca. 700 items (on 6 partial microfilm reels.))
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Reels
Place:
United States -- Social conditions -- California
United States -- Economic conditions -- California
Date:
1935-1964
Scope and Contents:
Photographs, clippings, writings, and publications relating to the Federal Art Project in California, particularly San Francisco.
Reel NDA 1, frames 752-767: Correspondence and lists relating to exhibitions of works by San Francisco artists.
Reel NDA 2: Articles from the San Francisco Art Association BULLETIN, 1934-1940 and MAGAZINE OF ART, October 1937.
Reel NDA 3(frames 13-20): Exhibtion catalog of Federal Art Project work at the University of California, Berkeley, Art Gallery, 1936.[Microfilm title University of California Art Gallery]
Reel NDA 14: Clippings, photographs, and press releases relating to the decoration by the FAP of the Enlisted Men's Club at Fort Ord, California; and photographs and biographical information relating to about 20 artists employed by FAP in Northern California.[Microfilm title Fort Ord, California and WPA-FAP, San Francisco]
Reel NDA 17: Photographs of sculpture, murals, easel work, graphics, and other works of art by various artists working for the FAP in California; and a list of artists on the Graphic Arts Project, San Francisco.
Reel NDA 20: Photographs of artists and works of art for the FAP in San Francisco.
Reel NDA 27: One publication of the University of California's Medical School murals, 1939; one photograph of project personnel, San Francisco; one newspaper article: "Bernard Zakheim and the U.C. Medical School," December 6, 1964.
Biographical / Historical:
Federal aid art project during the Depression. The Federal Art Project (FAP) fell under the jurisdiction of Federal Project No. 1 of the Works Progress Administration (WPA). Established in May 1935 specifically as a work relief program for unemployed artists. Each state and territory had its own programs and were administered aid from the federal government via a local agency.
Other Title:
Fort Ord, California [microfilm title, reel NDA 14]
WPA-FAP, San Francisco [microfilm title, reel NDA 14]
Provenance:
Material on reels NDA 1, NDA 3, NDA 14, NDA 17, NDA 20 and NDA 27 lent for microfilming 1964 by Lewis Ferbrache; and material on reel NDA 2 lent for microfilming 1964 by Marian Simpson.
Restrictions:
The Archives of American art does not own the original papers. Use is limited to the microfilm copy.
Topic:
New Deal, 1933-1939 -- California  Search this
Federal aid to the arts -- California -- San Francisco  Search this
Federal aid to the public welfare -- California  Search this
Mural painting and decoration -- 20th century -- California -- Fort Ord  Search this
Function:
Programs (organizations)
Agencies
Identifier:
AAA.fedeartp02
Archival Repository:
Archives of American Art
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/mw9a6c96a20-2643-4e49-8283-7ee17bfa9ee7
EDAN-URL:
ead_collection:sova-aaa-fedeartp02

Federal Art Project (Calif.) photographs

Creator:
Federal Art Project (Calif.)  Search this
Names:
United States. Work Projects Administration  Search this
United States. Works Progress Administration  Search this
Extent:
0.6 Linear feet ((ca. 165 items))
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Date:
1935-1943
Scope and Contents:
Photographs of artists at work and photographs of their works of art.
Biographical / Historical:
The Federal Art Project (FAP) fell under the jurisdiction of Federal Project No. 1 of the Works Progress Administration (WPA). The WPA was established in May 1935 specifically as a work relief program for the millions of individuals left unemployed during the Depression. Its name changed to the Work Projects Administration in 1939 when it fell under the administrative hand of the newly created Federal Works Agency. The FAP was created in August 1935 to aid unemployed artists, following the precedent set by the Public Works of Art Project and other Treasury department art relief projects. The 48 states and territories were divided into regions and administered through the regional office.
Provenance:
Donated 1975 by Richard Russell.
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.
Topic:
New Deal, 1933-1939 -- California -- Photographs  Search this
Federal aid to the arts -- California -- Photographs  Search this
Art and state -- California -- Photographs  Search this
Federal aid to public welfare -- California -- Photographs  Search this
Artists -- California -- Photographs  Search this
Function:
Agencies
Programs (organizations)
Identifier:
AAA.fedeartp01
Archival Repository:
Archives of American Art
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/mw9711cb7e7-9c61-46e4-b337-0732be0d3471
EDAN-URL:
ead_collection:sova-aaa-fedeartp01

Charles Howard papers

Creator:
Howard, Charles, 1899-1978  Search this
Names:
Federal Art Project (Calif.)  Search this
Extent:
11 Items ((on partial microfilm reel))
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Place:
United States -- Economic conditions -- 1918-1945 -- California
United States -- Social conditions -- 1933-1945 -- California
Date:
[ca. 1940]
Scope and Contents:
Photographs of Howard and his paintings and a critique; and analysis by Sidney Peterson.
Biographical / Historical:
Painter; Northern California. Painted for the Federal Art Project in California.
Provenance:
The lender, Lewis Ferbrache, was an administrator of the Oakland Museum of Art and collected materials relating to federally funded art projects for AAA during its New Deal and the Arts project.
Restrictions:
The Archives of American art does not own the original papers. Use is limited to the microfilm copy.
Topic:
New Deal, 1933-1939 -- California  Search this
Federal aid to the arts -- California  Search this
Federal aid to the public welfare -- California  Search this
Art and state -- California  Search this
Painting, American  Search this
Identifier:
AAA.howachar
Archival Repository:
Archives of American Art
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/mw9b0e7aa1a-24ce-49ca-9b29-6927de88daa3
EDAN-URL:
ead_collection:sova-aaa-howachar

Oral history interview with Wilma Harris

Interviewee:
Harris, Wilma, 1910-  Search this
Interviewer:
McChesney, Mary Fuller  Search this
Creator:
New Deal and the Arts Oral History Project  Search this
Names:
New Deal and the Arts Oral History Project  Search this
Arnautoff, Victor Mikhail, 1896-1979  Search this
Bufano, Beniamino, 1898-1970  Search this
Extent:
1 Sound tape reel (Sound recordings (1 hour), 5 in.)
39 Pages (Transcript)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Sound tape reels
Pages
Sound recordings
Interviews
Date:
1964 Apr. 22
Scope and Contents:
An interview of Wilma Harris conducted by Mary McChesney on 1964 Apr. 22 for the Archives of American Art.
Harris speaks of her background and art education at the California School of Fine Arts; the Federal Art Project weaving project in San Francisco and her involvement in it. She recalls Victor Arnautoff and Beniamino Bufano.
Biographical / Historical:
Weaver; California.
General:
The recording ends before the conclusion of the interview.
Provenance:
Conducted as part of the Archives of American Art's New Deal and the Arts project, which includes over 400 interviews of artists, administrators, historians, and others involved with the federal government's art programs and the activities of the Farm Security Administration in the 1930s and early 1940s.
Restrictions:
This interview is open for research. Contact Reference Services for more information.
Occupation:
Weavers -- California  Search this
Topic:
New Deal, 1933-1939  Search this
Federal aid to the arts  Search this
Decorative arts  Search this
Women artists  Search this
Women textile artists  Search this
Genre/Form:
Sound recordings
Interviews
Identifier:
AAA.harris64
Archival Repository:
Archives of American Art
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/mw965c7d5c7-b34e-4e61-92fb-e706ba22ab4e
EDAN-URL:
ead_collection:sova-aaa-harris64
Online Media:

Glenn Wessels typescripts

Creator:
Wessels, Glenn A. (Glenn Anthony), 1895-  Search this
Names:
Federal Art Project (Calif.)  Search this
Extent:
2 Items ((on 2 partial microfilm reels))
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Place:
United States -- Economic conditions -- 1918-1945
United States -- Social conditions -- 1933-1945
Date:
[ca. 1935-1945]
Scope and Contents:
Reel NDA 1: Typescript of an article by Wessels, "Modern American Art," concerning government patronage of the arts.
Reel NDA 10: A typescript of an address by Wessels delivered to the Pacific Art Teachers Association, ca. 1938.
Biographical / Historical:
East Bay supervisor of the Federal Art Project (Calif.) and educator, Berkeley, California; Born Capetown, South Africa. Teaches at the University of California, Berkeley. Was a painter for the Federal Art Project in California during the Depression.
Provenance:
Lent for microfilming 1964 by Glenn Wessels.
Restrictions:
The Archives of American art does not own the original papers. Use is limited to the microfilm copy.
Occupation:
Educators  Search this
Painters  Search this
Topic:
New Deal, 1933-1939  Search this
Federal aid to the arts  Search this
Federal aid to the public welfare  Search this
Art and state  Search this
Art patronage  Search this
Identifier:
AAA.wessglet
Archival Repository:
Archives of American Art
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/mw9f6e5a4f4-e93b-4649-b5c5-605d8470e7bf
EDAN-URL:
ead_collection:sova-aaa-wessglet

The WPA Federal art project : its contribution to the American people / by Fanny Bowles Vanderkooi

Creator:
Vanderkooi, Fanny Bowles  Search this
Names:
Federal Art Project  Search this
Extent:
1 Volume ((on partial microfilm reel))
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Volumes
Place:
United States -- Economic conditions -- 1918-1945 -- California
United States -- Social conditions -- 1933-1945 -- California
Date:
1940 May
Scope and Contents:
Thesis (M.A.)--University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, May 1940, concerning the effect of the Federal Art Project on the American people.
Biographical / Historical:
Art historian, Los Angeles, California. Federal Art Project was a federally aided art project during the Depression initiated under Roosevelt's New Deal project.
Provenance:
Lent for microfilming 1965 by the University of Southern California, Los Angeles.
Restrictions:
The Archives of American art does not own the original papers. Use is limited to the microfilm copy.
Topic:
New Deal, 1933-1939 -- California  Search this
Federal aid to the arts -- California  Search this
Federal aid to the public welfare -- California  Search this
Art and state -- California  Search this
Identifier:
AAA.vandfann
Archival Repository:
Archives of American Art
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/mw912fa6aac-cfbc-42b8-bf7e-01d6cd09f91f
EDAN-URL:
ead_collection:sova-aaa-vandfann

Robert Bruce Inverarity papers

Creator:
Inverarity, Robert Bruce, 1909-1999  Search this
Names:
Federal Art Project (Calif.)  Search this
Federal Art Project (Ill.)  Search this
Federal Art Project (Iowa)  Search this
Federal Art Project (N.Y.)  Search this
Federal Art Project (Or.)  Search this
Federal Art Project (Utah)  Search this
Federal Art Project (Wash.)  Search this
Museum of International Folk Art (N.M.)  Search this
Deutsch, Hilda, 1911-  Search this
Duchamp, Marcel, 1887-1968 -- Photographs  Search this
Graves, Morris, 1910- -- Photographs  Search this
Morris, Carl, 1911-1993  Search this
Ray, Man, 1890-1976 -- Photographs  Search this
Tobey, Mark  Search this
Extent:
13.8 Linear feet
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Scrapbooks
Sound recordings
Sketchbooks
Interviews
Photographs
Drawings
Place:
United States -- Economic conditions, 1918-1945 -- Washington (State)
Date:
circa 1840s-1997
Summary:
The papers of artist, photographer, museum director, anthropologist, and writer Robert Bruce Inverarity are dated circa 1840s-1997 and measure 12.7 linear feet. Biographical information, correspondence, writings and notes, subject files, art work, scrapbooks, sound recordings, printed material and photographs are found within the papers. They document Inverarity's work as Director of the Federal Art Project in Seattle and Director of the Art and Craft Project for the State of Washington, as well as his other professional work. Nineteenth century material consists of a Japanese print, printed material, and photographs.
Scope and Content Note:
The papers of artist, photographer, museum director, anthropologist, and writer Robert Bruce Inverarity are dated circa 1840s-1997 and measure 13.8 linear feet. Biographical information, correspondence, writings and notes, subject files, art work, scrapbooks, sound recordings, printed material and photographs are found within the papers. They document Inverarity's work as Director of the Federal Art Project in Seattle and Director of the Art and Craft Project for the State of Washington, as well as his other professional work. Nineteenth century material consists of a Japanese print, printed material, and photographs.

Among the biographical information are awards and certificates, biographical and genealogical notes, and educational records. Correspondence concerns Inverarity's activities as Director of the WPA Federal Arts Project in Washington State, 1936-1941. Additional personal and professional correspondence, 1929-1993, documents his activities as a museum director, consultant, collector, and writer. Among the friends and colleagues with whom he corresponded are: Max Ernst and Dorothea Tanning, Rockwell and Sally Kent, Stanton MacDonald-Wright, Wolfgang Palen, Juliet and Man Ray, Mark Tobey, Edward Weston, and various individuals associated with the WPA.

Manuscripts of a few of Inverarity's many articles on topics such as anthropology, museology, and information storage and retrieval are among his writings and notes. Also included are the manuscript of an unpublished book, Tobey Remembered, along with drafts, notes, correspondence, research materials, and photocopies of Tobey's letters to him and others. Other writings consist of book reviews, children's books, a catalog of the Inverarity Collection, and a copy of his 1946 master's thesis, "The Social-Economic Position of the American Artist." Several journals, 1928-1966, survive, including one that records his 1932 trip to study the Haida Indians of the Queen Charlotte Islands.

Subject files include general subjects such as "Folk Art" and "Preservation." Files on the museums where Inverarity was the director contain some official records as well as general information. Art work by Inverarity includes eight volumes of sketch books, 1928-1942, commercial work for Boeing, notes and drawings for book designs. Among the work by other artists are drawings, paintings and prints by friends. Of particular interest are display panels for a small exhibit on airbrush stencil prints produced by the Washington State WPA Federal Art Project. Other noteworthy items are pencil sketches and a watercolor by Mark Tobey, and prints by Hiroshige and Jan Matulka.

Five scrapbooks, 1928-1979, contain newspaper clippings, miscellaneous printed items, and a small number of photographs and letters. Three volumes document his career as an artist and museum director. One consists of biographical information and items designed by Inverarity, and another concerns publication and marketing of his monograph Art of the Northwest Coast Indians.

Sound recordings consist of interviews and conversations. An extensive interview with Inverarity about his life and career was conducted by Craig Gilborn in 1990. Bruce and Jane Inverarity in conversation with former colleague Ernie Johnson and his wife Helen about his departure from the Museum of International Folk Art were recorded in 1980. Also included is a 1981 conversation with Grace T. Stevenson containing references to Mark Tobey and Morris Graves.

Printed material includes many items about or produced by the WPA Federal Art Project. Among the items written by Inverarity are many articles on a wide variety of topics, his book Art of the Northwest Coast Indians, and two published portfolios. Printed material by other authors includes articles, books and reports about or mentioning Inverarity, and books designed or illustrated by him. Among the miscellaneous printed items are catalogs and brochures of the schools where Inverarity taught and studied, and a few ephemeral items designed by him.

Photographs are of art work, people, places, the Washington State WPA Federal Art Project, and miscellaneous subjects. All photographs known to be by Inverarity are clearly marked. Art work includes views of Inverarity's collection of his own work and that of other artists hanging in his home. Photographs of people include artists, friends, colleagues, and various groups. Of special interest are Inverarity's portraits of artists, among them Marcel Duchamp, Max Ernst, Morris Graves, Hilaire Hiler, Rico Le Brun, Stanton Macdonald-Wright, Man Ray, Dorothea Tanning, and Mark Tobey. Photographs of places include the museums where Inverarity was director, places in which he lived, and travel pictures. Of note are a large group of photographs (copy prints) taken in 1932 while studying the Haida Indians in British Columbia. Nineteenth century photographs of family homes, Europe, and South America may have been taken by his father. Photographs of the Washington State WPA Federal Arts Project are of individual works of art, exhibition installations, mosaic procedures and local art centers. Many, probably intended for display, are mounted in groups on large cardboard panels. Miscellaneous subjects include art photographs by Inverarity and the microreader he invented.
Arrangement:
The collection is arranged as nine series. Correspondence is in chronological order, Biographical Information and Subject Files are arranged alphabetically by folder title. Other series have been organized into subseries and arrangement is as described in the Series Descriptions/Container List below. Unless noted otherwise, material within folders is arranged chronologically.

Missing Title

Series 1: Biographical Information, 1934-1997, undated (Box 1, OV 18; 0.25 linear ft.)

Series 2: Correspondence, 1928-1993, undated (Box 1; 0.75 linear ft.)

Series 3: Writings and Notes, 1928-1993, undated, (Boxes 2-3; 1.5 linear ft.)

Series 4: Subject Files, 1938-1990, undated (Boxes 3-6, OV 19-20; 2.5 linear ft.)

Series 5: Art Work, circa 1840s-1969, undated (Boxes 6, 12, 16, OV 21; 1.3 linear ft.)

Series 6: Scrapbooks, 1928-1991, undated (Boxes 7-8; 1.1 linear ft.)

Series 7: Sound Recordings, 1980-1990 (Box 8; 3 folders)

Series 8: Printed Material, 1902-1995, undated (Boxes 8-13, OV 22; 3.4 linear ft.)

Series 9: Photographs, circa 1870s-1990, undated (Boxes 11, 14-17, OV 23; 3.0 linear ft.)
Biographical Note:
Robert Bruce Inverarity (1909-1999) showed artistic leanings as a boy, and from an early age was fascinated by puppetry and Northwest Coast native culture. During much of his youth, Inverarity's family lived in Canada, but returned to their native Seattle when he was a teenager. After graduating from high school, he made a 500 mile journey on foot along the coasts of the Vancouver Islands, collecting Indian artifacts and studying the area's tribal legends.

He studied briefly with Mark Tobey in Seattle, where the two shared a studio; when Tobey departed for Chicago, Inverarity succeeded him as an art teacher at the Cornish School. He spent the next few years in California working as an artist, exhibiting, and occasionally teaching. From there, he moved to Vancouver where he was Director of the School of Creative Art. In 1932, Inverarity made a three month trip to the Queen Charlotte Islands, British Columbia, for the purpose of studying the Haida Indians.

Upon his return to the United States in 1933, Inverarity joined the University of Washington Drama School as a puppetry instructor; in 1938 he published a highly regarded Manual of Puppetry. During 1936-37, he took a leave of absence from the university to assume the position of State Director of the Federal Art Project, where he remained until 1939. He then became State Director of the Art and Crafts Project (1939-1941). The U.S. Navy appointed Inverarity Chief of Design for Camouflage (1941-1943) and he later served as an Official Navy War Artist (1943-1945).

During his early years as a teacher and administrator, Inverarity continued making art and participated in a wide variety of exhibitions. He published a portfolio, 12 Photographs by R. B. Inverarity (1940). In the following year, Movable Masks and Figures of the North Pacific Coast Indians, a portfolio of his watercolors reproduced as silkscreen prints, appeared. Although Inverarity stopped exhibiting in 1941, he continued to produce art; notable work of this period includes photographic portraits of a number of artist friends (Max Ernst, Dorothea Tanning, Marcel Duchamp, and Man Ray).

After World War II, Inverarity completed his formal education. He earned a Bachelor's degree in art and anthropology from the University of Washington (1946), and then studied with Hilaire Hiler at Freemont University in Los Angeles, where he was awarded a Master's degree in fine arts (1947) and a Ph.D. (1948).

Inverarity began his museum career in 1949 when he was appointed the first director of the Museum of International Folk Art in Santa Fe, New Mexico, a position that combined his interest in, and knowledge of, anthropology and art. While in Santa Fe, he published Art of the North West Coast Indians (1950). During his five year tenure as director, the museum participated in a pilot study for coding visual files, a project of the anthropological group, Human Resources Area Files, Inc. When Inverarity was dismissed from the Museum of International Folk Art in 1954, most of the staff resigned in protest, and the American Association of Museums investigated the situation.

Inverarity then became the first director of the Adirondack Museum, Blue Mountain Lake, New York, where he remained for eleven years. In addition to planning the museum's building, and developing collections and programs, Inverarity continued his involvement with the visual files project of the Human Resources Area Files, Inc., studying information storage and retrieval, developing a "microreader," and publishing Visual Files Coding Index (1960). In addition, he published many articles on a variety of topics and was active in organizations for anthropologists and museum professionals.

After his 1965 departure from the Adirondack Museum, Inverarity went to California and worked as an illustrator and book designer at the University of California Press. He returned to the east coast in 1969 to assume the directorship of the Philadelphia Maritime Museum. During this period, he remained active in professional associations and traveled to study museums abroad. He retired in 1976 and moved to La Jolla, California.

Robert Bruce Inverarity died in 1999.
Separated Material:
Originals of most of the drawings and sketches loaned by Mr. Inverarity were returned to him after filming and were not subsequently donated. This material is available on 35 mm microfilm reel D/NDA/I, frames 392-409.
Provenance:
Robert Bruce Inverarity donated his papers to the Archives in several installments between 1965 and 1993. Additional papers were received from his estate in 1999. He also loaned a small number of additional drawings and sketches for microfilming which were returned to him. A few of these drawings were included with the papers he subsequently donated to the Archives of American Art.
Restrictions:
The collection is open for research. Use requires an appointment.
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.
Occupation:
Arts administrators  Search this
Painters  Search this
Topic:
Puppet theater  Search this
New Deal, 1933-1939 -- Washington (State)  Search this
Works of art  Search this
Federal aid to the arts -- Washington (State)  Search this
Art and state -- Washington (State)  Search this
Genre/Form:
Scrapbooks
Sound recordings
Sketchbooks
Interviews
Photographs
Drawings
Citation:
Robert Bruce Inverarity papers, circa 1840s-1997. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.
Identifier:
AAA.inverobe
See more items in:
Robert Bruce Inverarity papers
Archival Repository:
Archives of American Art
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/mw9460b503e-0657-430a-9244-ead53bd5066f
EDAN-URL:
ead_collection:sova-aaa-inverobe
Online Media:

Edith Hamlin photographs of murals

Creator:
Hamlin, Edith  Search this
Names:
Federal Art Project (Calif.)  Search this
Extent:
6 Items ((on partial microfilm reel))
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Date:
1937
Scope and Contents:
Six photographs showing Hamlin at work on Federal Art Project murals for the Mission High School Library in San Francisco, 1937.
Biographical / Historical:
Edith Hamlin (1902-1992) was a painter and muralist from San Francisco, Calif. Worked for the Federal Art Project of the Works Progress Administration during the Depression.
Provenance:
Lent for microfilming 1964 by Lewis Ferbrache.
Restrictions:
The Archives of American art does not own the original papers. Use is limited to the microfilm copy.
Occupation:
Painters -- California -- San Francisco  Search this
Muralists -- California -- San Francisco  Search this
Topic:
Art and state -- California -- San Francisco  Search this
New Deal, 1933-1939  Search this
Federal aid to the arts  Search this
Federal aid to the public welfare  Search this
Mural painting and decoration  Search this
Women artists  Search this
Women painters  Search this
Identifier:
AAA.hamledit
Archival Repository:
Archives of American Art
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/mw9e26d095a-6e5b-4acd-af77-beb460c8e11d
EDAN-URL:
ead_collection:sova-aaa-hamledit

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