Augustana Art Association records

Collection

Identifier: MSS 202

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Augustana Art Association records, 1927-1960 and undated, contains articles, membership lists, a guest register, minutes, financial records, correspondence, lists of information, and other papers. The collection has been arranged into six series: Administration, Correspondence, Scrapbooks, Exhibitions, Catalog, and Miscellaneous.

The Administration (1927-1960 and undated) series contains lists of members and a register of attendance at exhibits; copies of the proposed constitution and the final approved draft; a binder of minutes of the Executive Committee and annual business meetings, including reports, correspondence with Conrad Bergendoff, financial records, and programs; and financial reports, invoices, and license agreements.

The Correspondence (1932-1960) series contains correspondence that was not originally included in the group's scrapbooks. The bulk of the correspondence from 1948 to 1953 involves Mr. Hedman of the Swedish Club of Chicago, regarding the Club-sponsored exhibits. Also included is correspondence with Arvid Nyholm, who painted an oil painting given to Augustana by Carl R. Chindblom.

The Scrapbooks (1927-1959 and undated) contain clippings related to all aspects of the Association's activities, biographical notes on artists who exhibited for the Association, correspondence relating to exhibits and lectures, copies of meeting notices mailed to members, lists of newly-elected Association officers, and other materials.

The Exhibitions (1945-1959 and undated) series includes materials on exhibits, notices sent to members, and proposals for exhibits. Also included is information about an exhibition of watercolor paintings by Prince Eugen of Sweden (who was the first member of the royal family to make painting his profession), including clippings, correspondence, and exhibition catalogs, as well as exhibition catalogs of art exhibits sponsored by the Swedish Club of Chicago.

The Catalog (1940-1965 and undated) series contains lists of works of art owned by the association in 1940 and in 1953, a list of Scandinavian artists in America, and a card index of works of art on campus compiled by Mrs. O. Z. Cervin around 1965.

The Miscellaneous (1953-1954 and undated) series consists of exhibit labels, an informational plaque for a work of art, and a booklet about collecting art, and a 12-page booklet that provides a brief overview and history of the Augustana Art Association, which that was compiled by Ruth Carlson, Alma Johnson, and Loma McDermott in 1953, the 25th anniversary of the Association.

Dates

Creation: 1927-1960 and undated

Creator

Augustana Art Association (Organization)

Conditions Governing Access

There are no restrictions on the use of this collection.

Conditions Governing Use

Unpublished manuscripts are protected by copyright. Permission to publish, quote, or reproduce must be secured from Augustana College Special Collections and the copyright holder.

Historical Note

The Augustana Art Association was founded 26 October 1927 at an evening meeting of art enthusiasts in the home of Gustav Andreen, then president of Augustana College. The founders included Andreen, his wife, and Alma Johnson, an instructor in the art department. The group's purpose, as stated in its constitution, was "to promote art education and aesthetic appreciation by means of exhibits and lectures, and to collect works of art for the beautification of Augustana and for a permanent art collection." The Association consisted primarily of Augustana College faculty and staff but was open to anyone willing to pay dues. At its peak, the group had upwards of 200 members.

The Augustana Art Association is credited with initiating the Augustana College art collection as well as raising awareness of art on the campus and in the community. The group's major activities included mounting exhibitions, bringing in lecturers, and procuring works of art to add to the Augustana College collection. One of the initial projects of the Association was placing works of art in buildings on campus. The group also maintained a rental library of art reproductions.

In May 1959, due to decreasing interest, the election of officers and Executive Board for the Association was ended, and the leadership of the group fell to the appointment of Board members by the head of the art department. This action put the Association under the de facto control of the Art Department, which apparently saw the group's activities as insignificant. By 1966, the group had vanished completely, with no mention of its existence in college publications.

Extent

0.8 Cubic Feet (/ 2 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Custodial History

This collection was apparently assembled by Alma Johnson and other officers of the Association and probably came to Special Collections sometime between Johnson's retirement from the college art department in July 1953 and February 1959. Additional papers were received from A. Ben Jasper, January 1975.