This collection consists of 754 pen-and-ink, watercolor, and gouache drawings and paintings by artist Lily Spandorf. They depict scenes from various years of the Festival of American Folklife and its successor, the Smithsonian Folklife Festival.
Scope and Contents:
The Lily Spandorf drawings consist of 754 pen-and-ink, watercolor, and gouache drawings and paintings and date from 1967-1998. Some pieces contain drawings on both the recto and verso, and some drawings are unfinished. Lily Spandorf, an Austrian-born, Washington, D.C.-based artist, created the drawings each year at the Festival of American Folklife (later the Smithsonian Folklife Festival) over a thirty-year span. Many Festival programs are represented, particularly the bicentennial programs of 1976.
Many drawings were recieved with no label information, so at present, these drawings remain undated and only very generally described. As more information regarding individual drawings is gathered, more specific descriptive information will be added.
Arrangement note:
Arranged by size in appropriate folders and boxes (oversized flat boxes and document case) and further arranged by number assigned to drawings. Numbers were randomly assigned to drawings after the collection was acquired and do not reflect a specific order, chronological or otherwise.
Sixteen drawings and paintings are framed and displayed in the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage offices.
Biographical/Historical note:
Lily Spandorf was born in Vienna, Austria in 1914. An honors graduate of the Vienna Academy of Arts, she left Austria in 1938 to continue her art education at London's St. Martin's School of Art. During World War II, she volunteered for the Red Cross in Scotland. She also worked and lived in Italy, where she became attracted to painting scenes outdoors. She first moved to New York City in 1959, but found the city too vast and hectic and eventually moved to Washington D.C. in 1960, where she settled into an apartment in Dupont Circle.
From the very first Festival of American Folklife (later the Smithsonian Folklife Festival) in 1967, she brought her cart full of materials and supplies to the National Mall and sketched Festival scenes, documenting people, performances, settings, and activities for over three decades. Her work often appeared in the Washington Star newspaper. Her paintings and drawings of Washington, D.C. scenes and cityscapes were featured in a 1988 book called Washington Never More, as well as the Washington Post, Washingtonian Magazine, and National Geographic. She was also the subject of a documentary film produced and directed by Barr Weissman. In 1988, she was the first local solo artist to be exhibited at the National Museum of Women in the Arts. Her annual paintings and drawings of the White House Christmas decorations were acquired by the White House Historical Association, and her work documenting the filming of Advise and Consent was acquired by the U.S. Senate. She continued to produce work until she passed away in February 2000 at the age of 85.
Provenance:
The Lily Spandorf drawings were acquired by Richard Kurin, former director of the Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage and Diana Parker, former director of the Smithsonian Folklife Festival. Thanks to generous donations and support from the Smithsonian Women's Committee and the general public, the Smithsonian purchased Spandorf's drawings from the Lily Spandorf Distribution Trust in 2001.
Restrictions:
Access by appointment only. Contact the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections at rinzlerarchives@si.edu or 202-633-7322 for additional information.
Rights:
Copyright restrictions apply. Contact archives staff for additional information.
Man on chair hammers stake into ground which is held down by another man. Third man stands by holding pick axe. Tents, people, and trees in background.
Access by appointment only. Contact the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections at rinzlerarchives@si.edu or 202-633-7322 for additional information.
Collection Rights:
Copyright restrictions apply. Contact archives staff for additional information.
Collection Citation:
Lily Spandorf drawings, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution.
Gary Giberson carving duck decoys. Duck decoys sit on a shelf in background. Inscribed with subject's name.
Missing Title
Subject: Gary Giberson
Festival Program: New Jersey
Signed: yes
Collection Restrictions:
Access by appointment only. Contact the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections at rinzlerarchives@si.edu or 202-633-7322 for additional information.
Collection Rights:
Copyright restrictions apply. Contact archives staff for additional information.
Collection Citation:
Lily Spandorf drawings, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution.
Simon St. Pierre plays violin and Joe Pomerleau plays guitar. Includes subject's signatures.
Missing Title
Subjects: Simon St. Pierre, Joe Pomerleau
Festival Program: NEA: National Heritage Awards
Signed: yes
Collection Restrictions:
Access by appointment only. Contact the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections at rinzlerarchives@si.edu or 202-633-7322 for additional information.
Collection Rights:
Copyright restrictions apply. Contact archives staff for additional information.
Collection Citation:
Lily Spandorf drawings, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution.
Four band members of Bernie's Orchestra play musical instruments on a stage. Two men play trumpet, one sings on microphone, and another one plays accordion. A woman and young girl dance near the stage.
Missing Title
Subjects: Bernie's Orchestra
Festival Program: New Jersey
Signed: yes
Collection Restrictions:
Access by appointment only. Contact the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections at rinzlerarchives@si.edu or 202-633-7322 for additional information.
Collection Rights:
Copyright restrictions apply. Contact archives staff for additional information.
Collection Citation:
Lily Spandorf drawings, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution.
1 Drawings (visual works) (Medium: pen/manila paper, 14 x 10.5)
Container:
Box 2, Folder 4, Item LS-0036
Type:
Archival materials
Drawings (visual works)
Date:
1969
Scope and Contents note:
Brickmaker John Poist building a kiln. Smithsonian Castle in background. See also LS-0040.
Missing Title
Festival Program: Crafts
Signed: yes
Collection Restrictions:
Access by appointment only. Contact the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections at rinzlerarchives@si.edu or 202-633-7322 for additional information.
Collection Rights:
Copyright restrictions apply. Contact archives staff for additional information.
Collection Citation:
Lily Spandorf drawings, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution.
Inscription on verso of drawing reads, "Lena McGee, Makah, Washington, basket weaving." Partial sketches of two people also on verso of drawing.
Missing Title
Festival Program: Native American Program
Subjects: Lena McGee, Makah
Signed: yes
Collection Restrictions:
Access by appointment only. Contact the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections at rinzlerarchives@si.edu or 202-633-7322 for additional information.
Collection Rights:
Copyright restrictions apply. Contact archives staff for additional information.
Collection Citation:
Lily Spandorf drawings, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution.
Isaac Doss hammers metal into shape on anvil while group of five observes him at work. Inscription on back of drawing reads, "Isaac Doss- blacksmith. Arkansas." See also LS-0562.
Missing Title
Subjects: Isaac Doss, Blacksmith
Festival Program: Crafts or Arkansas
Signed: yes
Collection Restrictions:
Access by appointment only. Contact the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections at rinzlerarchives@si.edu or 202-633-7322 for additional information.
Collection Rights:
Copyright restrictions apply. Contact archives staff for additional information.
Collection Citation:
Lily Spandorf drawings, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution.
Virgil Miller makes apple cider in press. Inscription on verso of drawing reads, "Virgil Miller, Canton, Ohio"
Missing Title
Festival Program: Ohio
Subjects: Virgil Miller
Signed: yes
Collection Restrictions:
Access by appointment only. Contact the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections at rinzlerarchives@si.edu or 202-633-7322 for additional information.
Collection Rights:
Copyright restrictions apply. Contact archives staff for additional information.
Collection Citation:
Lily Spandorf drawings, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution.
1 Drawings (visual works) (Medium: pen/manila paper, 14 x 10.5)
Container:
Box 2, Folder 4, Item LS-0048
Type:
Archival materials
Drawings (visual works)
Date:
1970
Scope and Contents note:
Woman plays guitar. Two Appalachian dulcimers and a mandolin hang from wall and two people in background. Inscription reads, "At the McSpadden 'Dulcimer Shoppe' / Sandra Hensley / Forest City, Ark."
Missing Title
Subject: Sandra Hensley
Festival Program: Arkansas
Signed: yes
Collection Restrictions:
Access by appointment only. Contact the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections at rinzlerarchives@si.edu or 202-633-7322 for additional information.
Collection Rights:
Copyright restrictions apply. Contact archives staff for additional information.
Collection Citation:
Lily Spandorf drawings, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution.
Access by appointment only. Contact the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections at rinzlerarchives@si.edu or 202-633-7322 for additional information.
Collection Rights:
Copyright restrictions apply. Contact archives staff for additional information.
Collection Citation:
Lily Spandorf drawings, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution.
1 Drawings (visual works) (Medium: pen/manila paper, 10.8 x 14.5)
Container:
Box 2, Folder 5, Item LS-0053
Type:
Archival materials
Drawings (visual works)
Date:
1967, 1968 or 1981
Scope and Contents note:
Man in hat shows toy horse and carriage to boy. Inscription on verso reads, "Willard Watson".
Missing Title
Subjects: Willard Watson
Festival Program: North Carolina
Inscription: yes
Signed: yes
Collection Restrictions:
Access by appointment only. Contact the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections at rinzlerarchives@si.edu or 202-633-7322 for additional information.
Collection Rights:
Copyright restrictions apply. Contact archives staff for additional information.
Collection Citation:
Lily Spandorf drawings, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution.
1 Drawings (visual works) (Medium: ink, 10.6 x 14)
Container:
Box 2, Folder 5, Item LS-0055
Type:
Archival materials
Drawings (visual works)
Date:
1973
Scope and Contents note:
Man treading chair. Inscription reads, "James Miracle Middlesburgh Kentucky".
Missing Title
Festival Program: Kentucky
Subjects: James Miracle
Signed: yes
Collection Restrictions:
Access by appointment only. Contact the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections at rinzlerarchives@si.edu or 202-633-7322 for additional information.
Collection Rights:
Copyright restrictions apply. Contact archives staff for additional information.
Collection Citation:
Lily Spandorf drawings, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution.
Inscription reads "Willard Watson, North Carolina".
Missing Title
Subject: Willard Watson
Festival Program: North Carolina
Signed: yes
Collection Restrictions:
Access by appointment only. Contact the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections at rinzlerarchives@si.edu or 202-633-7322 for additional information.
Collection Rights:
Copyright restrictions apply. Contact archives staff for additional information.
Collection Citation:
Lily Spandorf drawings, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution.
Man painting doll. Inscription reads, "Indian carver [illegible] / Pueblo / New Mexico / Clifford Lucas."
Missing Title
Festival Program: Crafts
Subjects: Clifford Lucas
Signed: yes
Collection Restrictions:
Access by appointment only. Contact the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections at rinzlerarchives@si.edu or 202-633-7322 for additional information.
Collection Rights:
Copyright restrictions apply. Contact archives staff for additional information.
Collection Citation:
Lily Spandorf drawings, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution.
Dewey Harmon demonstrates whittling. Inscription reads "Dewey Harmon, Elk Park, North Carolina".
Missing Title
Subjects: Dewey Harmon
Festival Program: Crafts
Signed: yes
Collection Restrictions:
Access by appointment only. Contact the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections at rinzlerarchives@si.edu or 202-633-7322 for additional information.
Collection Rights:
Copyright restrictions apply. Contact archives staff for additional information.
Collection Citation:
Lily Spandorf drawings, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution.
Inscription on drawing reads "Norman Kennedy - weaving the cloth".
Missing Title
Festival Program: Crafts
Subjects: Norman Kennedy
Signed: yes
Collection Restrictions:
Access by appointment only. Contact the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections at rinzlerarchives@si.edu or 202-633-7322 for additional information.
Collection Rights:
Copyright restrictions apply. Contact archives staff for additional information.
Collection Citation:
Lily Spandorf drawings, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution.
1 Drawings (visual works) (Medium: pen, 7.59 x 11.89)
Container:
Box 1, Folder 1, Item LS-0064
Type:
Archival materials
Drawings (visual works)
Date:
1968 or 1969
Scope and Contents note:
Inscription reads "Norman Kennedy at the spinning wheel".
Missing Title
Festival Program: Crafts
Subject: Norman Kennedy
Signed: yes
Collection Restrictions:
Access by appointment only. Contact the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections at rinzlerarchives@si.edu or 202-633-7322 for additional information.
Collection Rights:
Copyright restrictions apply. Contact archives staff for additional information.
Collection Citation:
Lily Spandorf drawings, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution.
Man demonstrating machine corn milling. Man and boy observe in background. Inscription on verso of drawing reads, "Frank Hodges, Comm. millerby."
Missing Title
Festival Program: Crafts
Subjects: Frank Hodges
Signed: yes
Collection Restrictions:
Access by appointment only. Contact the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections at rinzlerarchives@si.edu or 202-633-7322 for additional information.
Collection Rights:
Copyright restrictions apply. Contact archives staff for additional information.
Collection Citation:
Lily Spandorf drawings, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution.
Inscription on verso reads "Norman Kennedy: 'Milling the Cloth', (Shrinking), singing Gaelic songs"
Missing Title
Subject: Norman Kennedy
Festival Program: Crafts
Signed: yes
Collection Restrictions:
Access by appointment only. Contact the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections at rinzlerarchives@si.edu or 202-633-7322 for additional information.
Collection Rights:
Copyright restrictions apply. Contact archives staff for additional information.
Collection Citation:
Lily Spandorf drawings, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution.
