Collections : [Virginia Museum of Fine Arts]

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
Primary Collecting Areas:
VMFA institutional records, Donor papers, Virginia Artists Archives, Oral histories, Artist subject files, Analog, and digital audiovisual collections
Description:

The Margaret R. and Robert M. Freeman Library provides access to a wealth of rare and unique primary source materials for scholars, researchers, and the public.

The Archives consists of a diverse and growing collection of permanent materials, covering museum history from its beginnings in the 1930s until today. The Archives includes institutional records from over 25 museum departments, thousands of artist and subject files, as well as donated collections related to the museum and the history of art in Virginia. The Archives also recently launched the Virginia Artists Archives, a collecting initiative that aims to create a rich, diverse, and unprecedented collection of Virginia artists’ papers to increase awareness about the contributions of Virginia artists, both past and present.

POC: Roxanne Winfield
Phone: (804) 340-1497
Phone: (804) 340-1495
Start Over Repository Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Collection Benjamin L. Wigfall Artist Archives and Mary Carter Wigfall Personal Papers, 1880/2023 Date range 1947

Benjamin L. Wigfall Artist Archives and Mary Carter Wigfall Personal Papers, 1880/2023 21.875 Linear Feet 50 boxes; 63 folders

Wigfall, Benjamin L., 1930-2017
The collection documents the life and work of Benjamin L. Wigfall, African American abstract expressionist artist. Benjamin L. Wigfall was the second African American artist to have a painting aquired by the VMFA, as well as the youngest ever artist to do the same. In addition to his work as an artist, Wigfall also taught and mentored in both Virginia at Hampton Institute, as well as New York at SUNY New Paltz and in his own community. Additionally, the collection contains documents related to the life and career of artist and educator, Mary Carter Wigfall, Benjamin L. Wigfall's wife. Mary C. Wigfall founded and directed the Migrant Childcare Center in New York from the early 1970s until her retirement in 1992.
  1. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

Series 1: Benjamin L. Wigfall, 1944/2023 3 boxes 2 boxes 10 folders Box VA-12 Box 1, Box VA-12 Box 2, Binder VA-12 Box 10, VA-12 Box 38, VA-12 File 1

This series is compromised of correspondence, clippings, photographs, magazines, art reproductions, and other material related to Wigfall's life, education, career, and family.

  1. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
  2. Benjamin L. Wigfall Artist Archives and Mary Carter Wigfall Personal Papers, 1880/2023

Sub-Series 1.2: Education, 1944/2020 2 boxes 1 flip-top case, 1 binder Box VA-12 Box 1, Binder VA-12 Box 10, VA-12 Box 38

This sub-series is comprised of materials related to Benjamin L. Wigfall's education from primary school to college such as correspondence, clippings, photographs, report cards, and more.

  1. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
  2. Benjamin L. Wigfall Artist Archives and Mary Carter Wigfall Personal Papers, 1880/2023
  3. Series 1: Benjamin L. Wigfall, 1944/2023

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Finding aids may contain historical terms and phrases, reflecting the shared attitudes and values of the community from which they were collected, but are offensive to modern readers. These include demeaning and dehumanizing references to race, ethnicity, and nationality; enslaved or free status; physical or mental ability; religion; sex; and sexual orientation and gender identity.

Many institutions and organizations are in the process of reviewing and revising their descriptive language, with the intent to describe materials in more humanizing, inclusive, and harm-reductive ways. As members revise their descriptive language, their changes will eventually be reflected in their ARVAS finding aids.

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