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Archives of American Art
A Finding Aid to the Kenneth Kerslake papers, circa 1900-2009, in the Archives of American Art
Summary
- Collection ID:
- AAA.kerskenn
- Creators:
-
Kerslake, Kenneth A., 1930-2007
- Dates:
-
circa 1900-2009
- Languages:
-
English.
- Physical Description:
-
3.8 Linear feet
- Repository:
The papers of printmaker and educator Kenneth Kerslake measure 3.8 linear feet and date from circa 1900-2009. They illustrate his career through biographical material, correspondence, personal business records, printed and photographic material, and artwork. In addition to paper records, the collection also includes digital formats.
Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents
The Kenneth Kerslake papers measure 3.8 linear feet and date from circa 1900-2009.
Biographical material includes two interviews, one with Kerslake and one by Kerslake, records relating to Kerslake's death, and a folder containing materials regarding Kerslake's son's time in the Navy. Correspondence includes letters from students, friends, and colleagues. Also included is correspondence concerning Kerslake's exhibition submissions and commissions and his teaching career at the University of Florida. Writings include a forward to a biography on Lee Chesney by Kerslake, miscellaneous typescripts of Artist Statements, and multiple record books containing writings and notes.
Personal business records consists of teaching material including notes, syllabi, and contracts from Kerslake's time at the University of Florida, as well as workshop files including the University of Georgia study abroad program in Cortona, Italy and Vitreography workshops at Littleton Studios in Spruce Pine, N.C., among others. Materials related to the CIF faculty and University of Colorado include digital formats. Printed Material includes two fellowship applications and exhibition catalogs featuring Kerslake's work. Also included are clippings, print proofs, and multiple transparencies used for printmaking designs. Photographic materials include photographs of Kerslake, his family and friends, and his exhibitions. Material relating to Kerslake's artwork and projects includes digital formats. Artwork includes multiple loose sketches and drawings by Kerslake.
Arrangement
Arrangement
This collection consists of seven series.
- Series 1: Biographical Material, circa 1930-2007 (.1 Linear feet: Box 1)
- Series 2: Correspondence, circa 1952-2008 (.9 Linear feet: Box 1)
- Series 3: Writings, circa 1965-2000 (.4 Linear feet: Box 2)
- Series 4: Personal Business Records, circa 1971-2006 (.8 Linear feet: Boxes 2-3)
- Series 5: Printed Material, circa 1952-2008 (1.2 Linear feet: Boxes 3-4)
- Series 6: Photographic Material, circa 1900-2009 (.3 Linear feet: Box 5)
- Series 7: Artwork, circa 1930-2004 (.1 Linear feet: Box 5)
Biographical / Historical
Biographical / Historical
Kenneth Kerslake (1930-2007) was a printmaker and educator who worked mainly in Florida.
Kenneth Kerslake was born in Mount Vernon, New York and went to school at the Pratt Institute in New York City to begin his formal art studies. He transferred from Pratt to the University of Illinois in Champaign in 1953 where he received both a Bachelor and Master of Fine Arts. In 1958 he joined the faculty of the University of Florida where he founded its Printmaking Program. In 1956, Kerslake married his wife Sarah "Sally" Allen, and they adopted two children Scott Paul in 1963 and Katharine Rachel in 1964.
Kerslake's first foray into lithography was in 1964 and was based on his paintings created in response to the assassination of President Kennedy. In the 1970s, Kerslake began his work using photograph processes in printmaking. In the late 1980s Kerslake spent the summer teaching with the University of Georgia's Summer Study Abroad Program in Cortona, Italy. In 1990, Kerslake became interested in Vitreography when he was invited to be an artist-in-residence to create in the technique at Littleton Studio in Spruce Pine, North Carolina.
His work is found in many museums, including a permanent display at the University of Florida's Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art.
Kerslake died on January 7th, 2007, in Gainesville, Florida.
Administration
Author
Allessandra Liberati
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.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Papers were donated in 2009 by Sarah Kerslake, widow of Kenneth Kerslake.
Processing Information
This collection was processed, and a finding aid prepared, by Allessandra Liberati in 2023.
Using the Collection
Conditions Governing Use
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.
Conditions Governing Access
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 born-digital records or audiovisual recordings in this collection must use access copies. Contact References Services for more information.
Preferred Citation
Kenneth Kerslake papers, circa 1900-2009 Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.
Keywords
| Keyword Terms | Keyword Types | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Educators -- Florida | Occupation | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
| Printmakers -- Florida | Occupation | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
| Video recordings | Genre Form | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
| University of Florida -- Faculty | Corporate Name | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
Archives of American Art
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Business Number: Phone: 202-633-7950
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