Curatorial Research, Programs, and Projects
Beverly Buchanan papers
bulk 1970s-1990s
34.2 Gigabytes
The papers of African American sculptor, painter, and land artist Beverly Buchanan measure 18 linear feet and 34.2 gigabytes, and date from 1912 to 2017 with the bulk of the material dating from the 1970s to the 1990s. The collection contains biographical material, including audiovisual and born-digital interview recordings; correspondence; writings; and exhibition and project files, including audiovisual documentation from Bernice Steinbaum Gallery/Steinbaum Krauss Gallery. Material related to professional activities; personal business records; printed material, including born-digital and audiovisual records; scrapbooks; photographic material, including photograph albums; and artwork are also found in the collection.
Out of Africa: from West African Kingdoms to Colonization exhibition records
Hutchinson, Louise Daniel
An exhibition on the history of the transatlantic slave trade, organized by the Anacostia Neighborhood and held there from February 1979-February 1980. Curated by Louise Daniel Hutchinson. These records document the planning, organizing, execution, and promotion of the exhibition. Materials include correspondence, research files, exhibit scripts, administrative records, brochures, press coverage, education packets, loan agreements, floor plans, and catalogues.
Freer/Sackler Files
This accession consists of records created and maintained by Patrick H. Sears documenting facilities, departments, contracts, signage, budget, and special events. Materials include correspondence, memoranda, floor plans, reports, budget files, black-and-white photographs, meeting agendas, and project memoranda lists.
Donald H. Sultner-Welles Collection
Janus, Allan
Hanfstaengl, Erna
bulk 1945-1980
This collection is primarily the work of one individual, Donald Harvey Sultner, known professionally as Donald Sultner-Welles (1914-1981). The collection forms a written and visual record of Sultner's family, life, and career from 1913-1980. Its major strength is Sultner's photographic documentation of the world during his travels, ca. 1950-1980. Work by other photographers …
Sam Gilliam papers
1957-1989
7.9 Linear feet
The papers of contemporary Color Field painter and educator Sam Gilliam measure 7.9 linear feet and date from 1957 to 1989. The papers include biographical material, correspondence, writings, business records, printed material, subject files, a scrapbook, artwork, and photographic material that document Gilliam's life beginning as a student, through to his teaching, professorial, and artistic career based in Washington D.C. The collection highlights Gilliam's close involvement with the art institutions, racial politics, and artistic innovation from the 1960s through the 1980s, and particularly showcases the planning and creation of Gilliam's large-scale three-dimensional paintings, often associated with the Washington Color School.
Exhibition Records
This accession consists of records documenting updates to the "Black Wings" exhibition at the National Air and Space Museum as well as educational outreach, publications, research, special events, and other activities pertaining to groundbreaking African American aviators. The "Black Wings" exhibition opened in 1982 in the Pioneers of Flight Gallery and …
Exhibition Records
This accession consists of records documenting the design of exhibitions for Smithsonian Institution museums and the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES) by Smithsonian Exhibits (formerly the Office of Exhibits Central). Some non-exhibition projects are also included. Materials include architectural drawings and floor plans; textual and graphic elements; images; and …
Maid of Cotton Records
National Cotton Council
The Maid of Cotton (MOC) beauty pageant was sponsored by the National Cotton Council, Memphis Cotton Carnival, and the Cotton Exchanges of Memphis, New York, and New Orleans from 1939-1993. The contest was held annually in Memphis, Tennessee until the National Cotton Council and Cotton Council International moved to Dallas, Texas. Beginning with the 1985 pageant (held December 1984) the competition was held in Dallas. The pageant was discontinued in 1993 due to lack of funds, a sponsor, and changes in marketing strategies. The records include files on contestants, photographs, and scrapbooks.
Lucy R. Lippard papers
bulk 1960-1990
0.454 Gigabytes
The papers of New York and New Mexico writer, art critic, and curator, Lucy R. Lippard, measure 70.5 linear feet and 0.454 GB and date from the 1930s to 2007, with the bulk of the material dating from the 1960s to the 1990s. Over half of the collection consists of correspondence files documenting Lippard's professional relationships with artists, writers, galleries, art institutions, and political organizations, and her interest in conceptual and minimalist art, feminism and political activism. Also found are Lippard's notes and writings including sound recordings and interviews, teaching and exhibition files, printed and digital material, several works of art, and photographs of artwork and artists. Scattered throughout the collection are a small number of records concerning Lippard's personal life. An addition of 3.0 linear feet donated 2015 includes subject files on feminist and conceptual art as well as land use, development, and local politics and history in New Mexico. There is a 17.0 linear foot unprocessed addition to this collection donated in 2015 and 2021 that incudes research files (press clippings, notes, correspondence, ephemera) related to the publications 'Lure of the Local' and 'Undermining' are a significant portion. In addition there are approximetley 50 notebooks ranging from 1965-1996, containing notes and daily tasks. Printed material and ephemera includes promotional materials for talks and public engagements, as well as press clippings of reviews and other news items featuring Lippard. Another significant portion of the addition is labeled "miscellaneous professional correspondence."Materials date from circa 1965-2010.
