Records of the Richmond Artists Association (SC-09)

Access and use

Location of collection:
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
VMFA Archives
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
Margaret R. and Robert M. Freeman Library
200 N. Arthur Ashe Boulevard
Richmond, VA 23220-4007
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Roxanne Winfield
Phone: (804) 340-1497
Phone: (804) 340-1495
Restrictions:

The collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

The collection is subject to all copyright laws. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by copyright, beyond that allowed by fair use, requires the researcher to obtain permission of copyright holders.

Preferred citation:

Records of the Richmond Artists Association (SC-09). Gift of the Richmond Artists Association by Irene Jessee Perry. VMFA Archives, Richmond, Virginia.

Summary

Extent:
5 Linear Feet 4 boxes; 161 folders
Creator:
Richmond Artists Association and Metropolitan Richmond Artists Association
Abstract:
The collection documents the history of the Richmond Artists Association (RAA), from its founding in 1955 by artist Westwood Winfree, to 2005 when the group joined with another Richmond art organization to form the Metropolitan Richmond Artists Association. The material highlights RAA's growth and achievements over five decades, including early annual exhibitions at the Carillon and Miller and Rhoads, as well as numerous other exhibitions. Meeting minutes, officer files, and membership materials detail RAA's administration over the years, while the newsletters provide an overview of all RAA activities. Several files highlight the RAA's relationship with other arts organizations, especially the Federated Arts Council of Richmond.
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

Records of the Richmond Artists Association (SC-09). Gift of the Richmond Artists Association by Irene Jessee Perry. VMFA Archives, Richmond, Virginia.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection's inclusive dates are 1955-2005, with the bulk of the material dating from 1955-1994. The collection is comprised of exhibition catalogs, correspondence, membership lists, president and officer files, meeting minutes, committee files, newsletters, and other ephemeral material.

Biographical / historical:

Looking for ways to display their artworks and introduce Richmond to contemporary fine art, a group of full time art instructors and other professional artists from the Richmond Professional Institute (now Virginia Commonwealth University's School of Arts) started the area's very first art organization. The Richmond Artists Association began in 1955 with artist/lawyer, Westwood Winfree, as its first president and Theresa Pollock as one of its founding members. The Richmond Artists Association has been a leader in encouraging and showcasing all types of art throughout the community. In the fall of 2005, members of the Richmond Artists Association and the Metropolitan Artists Association met and decided to join together to form the Metropolitan Richmond Artists Association.

Source: Metropolitan Richmond Artists Association

Custodial history:

The collection was donated by Irene Jessee Perry, past President of Richmond Artists Association in August 2005. The blue notebook belonging to Sara D. (Mrs. Israel) November was donated by Neil November in November 2011.

Processing information:

The collection was arranged chronologically and newsletters that were scattered throughout the collection were brought together in one series. When provided, original folder titles were kept.

Arrangement:

The collection is organized into two series, and items are arranged chronologically within each series. Items with no date are placed at the end of a series.

Series 1
General Files, 1955-2005, undated
Series 2
Newsletters, 1971-2002