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College Of Liberal Arts And Sciences. Department Of Art (University Of Maine) Records

 Record Group
Identifier: UA RG 0006-003-002

Scope and Contents

The records mainly contain illustrations with describing text in University of Maine Department of Art publications regarding art exhibitions, but there is also photographic material. The record group currently only contains records regarding outward facing activities of the Department, not administrative records regarding the internal workings of the Department. The record group also contains general information regarding the University of Maine's art collection.

The record series Art Collection Management Records contains inventories of the University of Maine’s art collection, lists of University of Maine art acquisitions and collections, an article regarding art displayed on the University of Maine campus, a copy of the University of Maine art gallery’s plan and scope, and photographs of the art collection in the University of Maine’s Carnegie Hall.

The record series Art Exhibition Records contains promotional material for various exhibitions, the vast majority of which were on the University of Maine campus. Also, contains newspaper clipping regarding specific exhibits.

The record series Art Education Records contains promotional material regarding art courses, seminars, and lectures that were held at the University of Maine. Also, contains newspaper clipping on the subject of art education.

The record series Fund Raising Records contains records regarding the University of Maine Patrons of the Fine Arts member group that provided support for University of Maine’s fine art exhibits, shows, and events including details of exhibits, invitations to events, member correspondence, and lists. The series also contains details of the Hassam Fund and an “Arts Update” publication regarding fund raising for a Center for the Performing Arts and a plan for the visual arts.

Dates

  • 1928-1992
  • Majority of material found within 1946-1980

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Kept at Fogler Library's offsite storage facility. One week's notice required for retrieval. Personal identifiable and legally protected information will be redacted before release.

Conditions Governing Use

Information on literary rights available in the Raymond H. Fogler Library Special Collections Department.

Biographical / Historical

The University of Maine Department of Art offers a range of undergraduate degrees including in art education, art history, and studio art.

Vincent A. Hartgen came to the University of Maine in 1946 as head of the newly formed art department and curator of the university art collection. He served in this position until his retirement in 1983. He also painted and sketched extensively throughout his career and his works are represented in numerous public and private collections. The record groups includes promotional material for exhibitions of Hartgen’s work. Vincent A. Hartgen died on Nov. 27, 2002.

In fall 2006, the Department moved into the newly renovated Lord Hall which is also home to the Lord Hall Gallery, a venue for exhibitions by students, faculty, and national and international artists. The Department of Art also works closely with the University of Maine Museum of Art in downtown Bangor.

University of Maine faculty member John Homer “Paddy” Hiddilston was instrumental in establishing the University’s art collection. A museum for the art collection was housed in the old gymnasium and then later moved to Carnegie Hall. Huddilston also founded the art guide and delivered monthly lectures on art (1900-1904). Vincent A. Hartgen was also a key figure in the history of the University of Maine’s art collection as the curator of the collection.

In the early 1980s the University Art Collection became the University of Maine Museum of Art. The museum relocated in December 2002 to downtown Bangor where it has taken on a new role as a regional fine arts center.

Extent

2 boxes

Language of Materials

English

Arrangement

The Record Group is broken down intellectually into subseries: 1. Art Collection Management Records, 2. Art Exhibition Records, 3. Art Education Records, and 4. Fund Raising Records. Physically the records are arranged by subject. The art exhibition artist records are secondary organized in alphabetic order by last name of artist. Some file names were changed to make them more meaningful, add dates, and to correct errors. Material had already been rehoused into archival quality storage.

Box numbers have changed:

  1. Old Box #259 (New Box 1)
  2. Old Box #259a (New Box 2)

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Much of the material is addressed to Raymond H. Fogler Library staff members Frances Hartgen and Muriel A. Sanford.

Accruals

Accurals from the University of Maine Department of Art are anticipated.

Related Materials

Hartgen, (Vincent A.) Papers, 1922-2000, SpC MS 1457 includes the personal papers of University of Maine Department of Art faculty member Vincent A. Hartgen, including correspondence and subject files about exhibits, art shows, galleries, etc. It also includes photographs of Hartgen, his art shows and other exhibits, and his paintings and drawings.

Self Study Report: Art Department by the University of Maine Department of Art, UPub 6.3.2 -1 ART 1975.

Office Of the President Records, UA RG 0004 includes records on the Department of Art.

Bibliography

Smith, David C. "The First Century A History of the University of Maine 1865-1965" (Orono, ME: University of Maine at Orono Press, 1979).

"Museum of Art", University of Maine, https://umma.umaine.edu/about/information-history/ (accessed October 30, 2016).

"Department of Art", University of Maine, https://umaine.edu/art/home/welcome/ (accessed October 30, 2016).

Processing Information

Processed by Matthew Revitt, October 2016, Raymond H. Fogler Library Special Collections Department. Processing involved a collection survey and intellectual arrangement into series and the creation of this finding aid. The boxes and folders still need to be numbered and titled using information from ArchivesSpace.

Title
University Of Maine. Department Of Art Records
Status
Completed
Author
Matthew Revitt
Date
October 30, 2016
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English.

Repository Details

Part of the Raymond H. Fogler Library University Archives Repository

Contact:
5729 Raymond H. Fogler Library
University of Maine
Orono ME 04469-5729 United States
207-581-1686