Archives of American Art

A Finding Aid to the Mary Kretsinger papers, 1951-1981, in the Archives of American Art

Summary

Collection ID:
AAA.kretmary
Creators:
Kretsinger, Mary, 1915-
Dates:
1951-1985
Languages:
English
.
Physical Description:
1.1 Linear feet
Repository:
The papers of metal-worker Mary Kretsinger measure 1.1 linear feet and date from 1951 to 1985. The collection comprises professional files documenting Kretsinger's activities with various exhibitions, commissions, and galleries and museums, and photographic materials of Kretsinger and her artwork that include a binder and photograph album.

Scope and Contents

Scope and Contents
The papers of metal-worker Mary Kretsinger measure 1.1 linear feet and date from 1951 to 1985. The collection comprises professional files documenting Kretsinger's activities with various exhibitions, commissions, and galleries and museums including the Brookfield Craft Center, Philadelphia Art Alliance, Museum of Contemporary Crafts, and others; and photographic materials of Kretsinger and works of art that include a binder and photograph album.

Arrangement

Arrangement
The collection is arranged as 2 series.
  • Series 1: Professional Files, 1951-1985 (0.9 linear feet; Box 1, OV 2)
  • Series 2: Photographic Materials, 1960s (0.2 linear feet; Box 1)

Biographical / Historical

Biographical / Historical
Mary Kretsinger (1915-2001) was a metal-worker in Emporia, Kansas, who excelled in liturgical objects and was also known for her formed and constructed containers and cloisonné boxes.
Kretsinger began painting and drawing while attending Emporia High School, and then attended the University of Kansas graduating in 1937. Kretsinger went on to receive a Master of Arts degree in 1941 from the University of Iowa. Early in her career she studied with prominent metal-workers such as Rudolf Brom in Kansas and with Adda Husted-Andersen at the Craft Students League in New York.
Kretsinger taught at Emporia State Teachers College from 1950 to 1964, and opened her own workshop in 1957. Kretsinger left her teaching position in 1964 to focus on her art full time.

Administration

Author
Sarah Mundy
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The Mary Kretsinger papers were donated in 1996 by Mary Kretsinger.
Processing Information
The collection was processed, and a finding aid prepared by Sarah Mundy in 2022.

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.
Preferred Citation
Mary Kretsinger papers, 1951-1985. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.

Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Metal-workers -- Kansas Occupation Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Women artists Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Women educators Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Educators -- Kansas Occupation Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Philadelphia Art Alliance Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
American Crafts Council. Museum of Contemporary Crafts Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

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