MINNESOTA FOLK ART SURVEY AND EXHIBITION:

An Inventory of the Its Research Files at the Minnesota Historical Society

Manuscripts Collection

Expand/CollapseOVERVIEW

Title:Minnesota folk art survey and exhibition research files.
Dates:1945-1989.
Abstract:Records documenting the results of a survey (1984-1985) of Minnesota folk arts and artists, and an exhibition based on the survey (1989). The records include photographs, slides, negatives, contact sheets, standardized research forms, correspondence (1947-1951, 1984-1989), grant proposals (1983, 1985), a bibliography (1950), press releases and clippings (1984-1989), and posters.
Quantity:5.25 cubic feet (7 boxes and 1 oversize folder, unboxed).
Location:See Detailed Description for shelf locations.

Expand/CollapseHISTORICAL NOTE

The exhibition, entitled "Circles of Tradition: Folk Arts in Minnesota," was held at the University Art Museum and brought together more than 200 objects fashioned by Minnesota artisans.

The survey (Oct. 1, 1984-Sept. 30, 1985) established a network of interested contributors including practicing folk artists, regional arts councils, academic personnel, and historical societies. It documented with slides and standardized field research forms the location and processes of folk art in Minnesota including artifacts, architecture, ritual process, folk songs, and narratives, and also gathered biographical information about 350 folk artists. The survey was funded through a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, administered by the University Art Museum of the University of Minnesota, and conducted by Willard Moore, a Minneapolis folklorist.

The exhibition at the University Art Museum (April 9-June 18, 1989) was based on an analysis of the data gathered through the survey and brought together more than 200 objects fashioned by Minnesota artisans working in three traditions defined by Moore: the "integrated" tradition where the folk art is inseparable from the general culture; the "perceived tradition" in which the techniques of older generations are followed; and the "celebrated tradition" in which artists honor the idea of tradition and work to please clients and collectors.


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Expand/CollapseSCOPE AND CONTENTS

The bulk of the collection consists of slides, photographs, negatives, and contact sheets. The slides and photographs include a series documenting artists and objects represented in the survey and exhibition arranged alphabetically by artist name; a series arranged by ethnic group; and another documenting artists and objects represented in other collections. There is also a corresponding series of individual artist files containing the survey research forms, correspondence, and biographical data.

There are a few administrative files including press releases, clippings, and a National Endowment for the Arts grant proposal (1985), which provide a detailed description of the history and objectives of both the survey and the exhibition. There is also a small amount of material related to the Folk Arts Foundation including a reprint from Western Folklore entitled, "North Star Folklore in Minnesota History: A Bibliography," by Bertha L. Heilbron.


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Expand/CollapseARRANGEMENT

The collection materials are organized into the following sections:

Traditional Artists of Minnesota Photograph Files
Other Image Files
Individual Artists Files
Administrative Files


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Expand/CollapseADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Availability:

The collection is open for research use.

Preferred Citation:

[Indicate the cited item and/or series here]. Minnesota Folk Art Survey and Exhibition Research Files. Minnesota Historical Society.

See the Chicago Manual of Style for additional examples

Accession Information:

Accession number: 15,116

Processing Information:

Processed by: Frank Hennessy, July 1996

Catalog ID number: 990017331110104294


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DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Expand/CollapseTRADITIONAL ARTISTS OF MINNESOTA PHOTOGRAPH FILES

LocationBox
143.J.13.3B1Slides and Photographs (mounted in 3-ring binders):
Aas, Elizabeth, Warroad, Minnesota.
Abbott, Carolyn, Brainard, Minnesota.
Abramowicz, Henry, St. Paul, Minnesota.
AIDS Quilt Project.
Alexis, Cliff, Dekalb, Illinois.
Anderson, Myrtle E., Aitkin, Minnesota.
Ange, Monsieur Bernard, Eveleth, Minnesota.
Austin, Truman, Lanesboro, Minnesota.
Barvels, Mary, Montevideo, Minnesota.
Bayers, Max A., Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Beedle, Hannah.
Benoit, Virgil, Red Lake Falls, Minnesota.
Berge, Marjorie, Milan, Minnesota.
Berkmier, John, Marshall, Minnesota.
Berlin Work (Berlin Wool Work).
Bernier, Nancy Munoz, St. Paul, Minnesota.
Bessy, Tuula, Bloomington, Minnesota.
Beverage, Marian, Appleton, Minnesota.
Blake, Jeanne, St. Paul, Minnesota.
Blanck, Helen, Princeton, Minnesota.
Boquist, Terry, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Borstad, Stella, Dawson, Minnesota.
Bredeson, Nelle A., New Brighton, Minnesota.
Brightnose, Terri, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Bromley, Victor, Askov, Minnesota.
Brustuen, Selma, Appleton, Minnesota.
Bucklin, Joyce, Mountain Lake, Minnesota.
Carlson, Mary, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Carlton, Mauria, St. Paul, Minnesota.
Chaney, Michael, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Chang, Yee, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Chanthraphone, Bounxou, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Cheung, Bik Yin, St. Paul, Minnesota.
Christenson, Lars.
Cieslak, Malgorzata, Westbrook, Minnesota.
Clarine, Barb, Brainard, Minnesota.
Clark, Susan, Clearwater, Minnesota.
Clauson, Anges, Bismarck, N. D.
Cook, Emeline Dziabas, Akeley, Minnesota.
Cooney, Richard, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Cotter, Mike, Austin, Minnesota.
Crawford, Wilma, Brainerd, Minnesota.
Dahl, Gayle, Byron, Minnesota.
Dahlin, Judith B., St. Paul, Minnesota.
Dalen, Agnes.
Dalen, Thelma, Milan, Minnesota.
Damer, William, Long Prairie, Minnesota.
Davis, Barb, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Davis, Mack, St. Paul, Minnesota.
Davis, Peggy H., Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Demeules, Joni, Plymouth, Minnesota.
Dietmaier, Edward, La Crescent, Minnesota.
Doberstein, Thora, Braham, Minnesota.
Dodge, Harry, Duluth, Minnesota.
Drift, Roberta, Nett Lake, Minnesota.
Een, Andrea, Northfield, Minnesota.
Ellison, Nancy, Hayfield, Minnesota.
Elmstrom, Eleanor, Forest Lake, Minnesota.
Esping, Ruth, Waseca, Minnesota.
Falk, Mamie, Murdock, Minnesota.
Falling, Patrick, Cloquet, Minnesota.
Farnell, Oscar.
Fields, Diane, Brainerd, Minnesota.
Fitzgerald, Arlene, Brainard, Minnesota.
Flemming, Mary, Little Canada, Minnesota.
Fordell, Macy, Guthrie, Minnesota.
Fulop, Magdolna, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Gelpe, Dennis, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Gemmill, Beulah, Sherburn, Minnesota.
Gilberston, Florence, Milan, Minnesota.
Gingerich, Susie, Utica, Minnesota.
Gjerset, Verna, Renville, Minnesota.
Glewwe, Wesley, St. Paul, Minnesota.
Glowka, Mietek, St. Paul, Minnesota.
Goga, Karen (and Larry), Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Goggleye, Jess, Nett Lake, Minnesota.
Gonske, Edna, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Good, Carl, Stockholm Township, Minnesota.
Goodsky, Gene, Nett Lake, Minnesota.
Goodsky, Hank, Tower, Minnesota.
Goodsky, Harold, Orr, Minnesota.
Gruhlke, Lois, Mazeppa, Minnesota.
Guerrero, Pat, St. Paul, Minnesota.
Gundersen, John H., Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Gunderson, Knut, Vining, Minnesota.
Gunvalson, Olaf, St. Paul, Minnesota.
Hall, Melvin, Lanesboro, Minnesota.
Hammel, Ginger, St. Paul, Minnesota.
Hanna, Rose, St. Paul, Minnesota.
Hanson, Arnold, Spring Grove, Minnesota.
Hanson, Mary, Spring Grove, Minnesota.
Harder, Eva.
Harmala, John, Cloquet, Minnesota.
Harris, Richard, Belgrade, Minnesota.
Haymarket Press Workers' Coop, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Heglen, Lois, Bemidji, Minnesota.
Hemmington, Alta J., Fergus Falls, Minnesota.
Hengel, Christy, New Ulm, Minnesota.
Herron, Elaine, Fairbault, Minnesota.
Hershberger, Fanny, Preston, Minnesota.
Hershberger, Lydia, Lanesboro, Minnesota.
Holcomb, Lyli, Kelly Lake, Minnesota.
Homme, Lena, Wilmar, Minnesota.
House, Lawerence, Spring Valley, Minnesota.
Huggenvik, Ina, Preston, Minnesota.
Hyatt, Burt, Waubun, Minnesota.
Immanuel Lutheran Christian Day School, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
In the Heart of the Beast Theatre Puppet and Mask, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Isham, Linda, Nett Lake, Minnesota.
LocationBox
143.J.13.4F2Jackson, Jewelean, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Jedlicke, Al, Underwood, Minnesota.
Jenson, Karen, Milan, Minnesota.
Jenson, Larry, Brainerd, Minnesota.
Johnson, Helga, Two Harbors, Minnesota.
Johnson, Mel, Red Wing, Minnesota.
Johnson, Rollie, St. Paul, Minnesota.
Jokinen, Senja, Angora, Minnesota.
Jorgenson, Sharlene, Montevideo, Minnesota.
Juhala, John, Makinen, Minnesota.
Juslin, Victor, Brimson, Minnesota.
Kakaygeesick, Karen, Warroad, Minnesota.
Karron, Constantino Demitrios.
Kaufman, Emma, Sauk Centre, Minnesota.
Kege, Maude, Milaca, Minnesota.
Kelley, Helen, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Kessel, Brandon, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
King, Arlene, Nett Lake, Minnesota.
Kittleson, Alicia, Milan, Minnesota.
Kittleson, Ted, Ceylon, Minnesota.
Kleven, Ruth, Milan, Minnesota.
Klinger, Bill, Wadena, Minnesota.
Kmit, Ann, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Kohl, Mabel, Atwater, Minnesota.
Koskie, John, Angora, Minnesota.
Kramer, Arnold, Wabasso, Minnesota.
Kramer, Riet, Milan, Minnesota.
Kroshus, Allan, Spring Grove, Minnesota.
Kuha, Jalmar, Sebeke, Minnesota.
Kurkowski, Gloria, St. Paul, Minnesota.
Kydd, Emma Jean, Roseville, Minnesota.
Landscape, Arboretum, Chanhassen, Minnesota.
Landwehr, Roman, St. Paul, Minnesota.
Lang, Lillian, Milan, Minnesota.
Langos, Ole, Brandon, Minnesota.
Landsverk, Halvor, Whalan, Minnesota.
Larson, Gustaf, St. Paul, Minnesota.
Larson, Ralph, Minnesota, Minnesota.
Lee, Kathryn, Sherburn, Minnesota.
Lee, Lao, St. Paul, Minnesota.
Lee, Ma, St. Paul, Minnesota.
Lee, Viola Kjeldahl, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Lensegraz, Arthur.
Lindstrom, Mary (and Bergman, Miranda), Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Lomen, Elisabeth, Zumbrota, Minnesota.
Long, Larry, St. Paul, Minnesota.
Lowell, Lester.
Lucius, John M., St. Paul, Minnesota.
Lucker, Dean (Wood, Ann), Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Lundahl, Ruby, Alpha, Minnesota.
Lundberg, Ole, Butterfield, Minnesota.
Lyson, Mabel, Battle Lake, Minnesota.
Maaki, Axel, Angora, Minnesota.
Makinen, August, Britt, Minnesota.
Malwitz, William, Red Lake Falls, Minnesota.
Mannausau, Joseph, Loman, Minnesota.
Mansfield, Susan, Golden Valley, Minnesota.
Mast, John (and Mary), Wadena, Minnesota.
Mattson, Martti, Esko, Minnesota.
McLeod, Edith Peterson, Edina, Minnesota.
Meany, Janet, Duluth, Minnesota.
Melgaard, Leif, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Melheim, Herman, Lake Kabetogama, Minnesota.
Menchaca, Carlos, (Acosta, John), St. Paul, Minnesota.
Mertes, Pat, Winona, Minnesota.
Miller, Lovina, Canton, Minnesota.
Miller, Rachel V., Lanesboro, Minnesota.
Mills, Mike, Buffalo, Minnesota.
Mizens, Anna, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Mizra, Frank, Ely, Minnesota.
Montzka, Tim, Forest Lake, Minnesota.
Moore, Jennifer (and Joshua), Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Morton, Larkspur, St. Paul, Minnesota.
Morton, Shirley, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Mouja, Yee, St. Paul, Minnesota.
Muas, Xaiv, St. Paul, Minnesota.
Mueller, Pauline, St. Paul, Minnesota.
Muller, Karen, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Myles, Quan Ester, St. Paul, Minnesota.
Nelson, Judith, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Niemala, Mike.
Nusbaum, Alice, St. Louis Park, Minnesota.
O'Keefe, Thomas, St. Paul, Minnesota.
Olson, Albert H., Redwing, Minnesota.
Olson, Franklin, Henning, Minnesota.
Olson, Hans, Lanesboro, Minnesota.
Oum, Phom (Oung, Leng), St. Paul, Minnesota.
Owen, Amos, Welch, Minnesota.
Perchyshyn, Luba, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Perderson, Roy (Mrs.), Battle Lake, Minnesota.
Pelkie, Mae, Tower, Minnesota.
Petersheim, Jacob (Mrs.),
Petersen, Alta, Bloomington, Minnesota.
Peterson, Carl E., St. James, Minnesota.
Peterson, Lois, Bloomington, Minnesota.
Pickek, Pearl, Angora, Minnesota.
Pittlekow, Addie, St. Paul, Minnesota.
Plamann, Carrie, Glenwood, Minnesota.
Porter, Mary, Nett Lake, Minnesota.
Prebich, Liz, Virginia, Minnesota.
Puutio, William, Idington, Minnesota.
Quaal, Mathilda, Appleton, Minnesota.
Quiring, Sam, Mt. Lake, Minnesota.
Raschka, Gladys, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
LocationBox
143.J.13.5B3Rasmuson, Severt, Detroit Lakes, Minnesota.
Redick, Mary, Brandon, Minnesota.
Reid, Avis, Glencoe, Minnesota.
Reimer, Jakey, Jarrett, Minnesota.
Rein, John, Hendrum, Minnesota.
Rennie, Alexander, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Richter, Franz A., Clarkfield, Minnesota.
Ricke, Ben, Cottonwood, Minnesota.
Ritter, Pauline, Aitkin, Minnesota.
Robinson, Ellen Mae, Park Rapids, Minnesota.
Robinson, William, Bagley, Minnesota.
Romo, Margaret, St. Paul, Minnesota.
Ronning, Irene, Two Harbors, Minnesota.
Rosebear, Robert, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Rosen, Lynn, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Rosendahl, Georgia, Spring Grove, Minnesota.
Rosenstein, Betty, St. Paul, Minnesota.
Roth, Marty, Minneapolis Minnesota.
Saari, Edwin, Angora, Minnesota.
Saari, Katri, Angora, Minnesota.
Salo, Marvin, Embarrass, Minnesota.
Sandom, Hans, Minnetonka, Minnesota.
Sauber, Dorothy, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Schabel, Ray, Long Prairie, Minnesota.
Schatzlein, Gerald, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Schmidt, Ivadell (and Joe), Lake Crystal, Minnesota.
Schmiedel, Oscar, St. Peter, Minnesota.
Schmitz, Bernard, Red Lake Falls, Minnesota.
Schriock, Ed, Mt. Lake, Minnesota.
Schroeder, Robert, Thief River Falls, Minnesota.
Sevenson, Gina.
Sevenson, Irene.
Shave, Martin, Sebeka, Minnesota.
Sherburne, William, Spring Grove, Minnesota.
Shetler, Andy, Utica, Minnesota.
Silva, Maria, St. Paul, Minnesota.
Sjogren, Oscar.
Sjoli, Pedar O., Ottertail County, Minnesota.
Smisek, Rose A., Lonsdale, Minnesota.
Smoley, (Family), St. Stephens, Minnesota.
Sperling, Carol, Eveleth, Minnesota.
Stebring, Irene, Brewster, Minnesota.
Stevermer, William, Easton, Minnesota.
Stillwell, Milo (and Trygg, Peter), Cloquet, Minnesota.
Stimac, Albert, Hoyt Lake, Minnesota.
Storhof, Henry, Lansboro, Minnesota.
Storlie, Betty, Spring Grove, Minnesota.
Straka, (Rev.) William J., Vineland, Minnesota.
Strom, Rora, Two Harbors, Minnesota.
Strong, Rosemary, Nett Lake, Minnesota.
Stutzman, John, Utica, Minnesota.
Swain, Earle, Elysian, Minnesota.
Swenson, Sander, Spring Grove, Minnesota.
Swiderska, Magdalena, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Svoboda, Joseph, Lonsdale, Minnesota.
Sylling, Dagny (Mrs. James), Spring Grove, Minnesota.
Thompson, Phil, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Thompson, Margaret, Milan, Minnesota.
Thrana, George, Duluth, Minnesota.
Thyen, Elizabeth, Farming, Minnesota.
Tiegen, Archie, Brainerd, Minnesota.
Tokheim, Gene and Lucy, Dawson, Minnesota.
Torfin, Walter, Duluth, Minnesota.
Torstenson, Angela, Montevideo, Minnesota.
Torstenson, Selma, Appleton, Minnesota.
Tucker, Angora, Minnesota.
Ueke, Dennis, Vesta, Minnesota.
Upitis, Lizbeth, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Vang, Mai, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Van Ornum, Harry, Cook, Minnesota.
Volovets, Shura, St. Louis Park, Minnesota.
Vue, Tong Vang, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Wallace, Gerta, Kansas City, MO
Warren, Peg, Marine-on-St.-Croix, Minnesota.
Weberg, Emil, Maynard, Minnesota.
Wen, Der Sho, St. Paul, Minnesota.
Wendinger, Paul (and Peter), New Ulm, Minnesota.
Wexler, Ardis, Edina, Minnesota.
Whiteman, Edna, Nett Lake, Minnesota.
Whiting, Almon, Clitherall, Minnesota.
Widen, Julie, Two Harbors, Minnesota.
Wilczek, Peter, Minnetonka, Minnesota.
Wildgrube, Richard, Preston, Minnesota.
Wilkins, Leona, Crookston, Minnesota.
Wilson, Dorothy, Nett Lake, Minnesota.
Witherspoon, Shirley, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Yang, Vu, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Yoder, Catherine (Mrs. Amos), Bertha, Minnesota.
Yoder, Ervin, Bertha, Minnesota.
Yoder, Martin, Pine City, Minnesota.
Zastawny, Katherny, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

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Expand/CollapseOTHER IMAGE FILES

LocationBox
143.J.13.6F4Ethnic groups: Slides and photographs. 2 volumes.
Folk art in other collections: Slides and photographs. 3 volumes.
Huldah Curl and Joe Ordos' survey of ethnic craftspeople in Minnesota: Slides, 1982.
LocationBox
132.J.13.7B5Photographs by Willard B. Moore (curator): Black and white contact sheets and negatives.
Photographs by Tim Rummelhoff and others: Black and white and color negatives. 2 volumes.
Contact sheets. 2 volumes.
Miscellaneous negatives and prints.

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Expand/CollapseINDIVIDUAL ARTISTS FILES

Consists of two separate alphabetical sequences.


LocationBox
143.J.13.7B5Aas-Lundahl.
LocationBox
143.J.13.8F6Mannausau-Yoder.
AIDS-Swiderska.
LocationBox
143.J.13.9B7Thompson-Yang.

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Expand/CollapseADMINISTRATIVE FILES

LocationBox
143.J.13.9B7Folk artists' addresses.
First draft.
Photograph exhibits text.
National Endowment for the Arts: Folk Arts Grant, April 1, 1985.
Public relations:
Press releases, 1984-1989.
Press clippings, 1984-1985, 1989.
Folk Arts Foundation, 1945-1951.
Minnesota Territorial Centennial: Folk Arts Section (exhibition material), 1945-1949.
LocationFolder
+263Posters and brochure from Heart of the Beast Theatre, [198-], 1986. 1 oversize folder, containing 3 items.
Includes two posters and a brochure promoting performances by the Heart of the Beast Theatre in Minneapolis including the presentation of the Christmas holiday stories, "The Hunt" and "La Befana," and the annual May Day parade and festival.

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Expand/CollapseRELATED MATERIALS

Circles of tradition: folk arts in Minnesota, with essays by Willard B. Moore, is found in the Minnesota Historical Society book collection.

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Expand/CollapseCATALOG HEADINGS

This collection is indexed under the following headings in the catalog of the Minnesota Historical Society. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons or places should search the catalog using these headings.

Topics:
Folk art -- Minnesota -- Photographs.
Folk art -- Minnesota -- Exhibitions.
Ethnic art -- Minnesota -- Exhibitions.
Arts -- Minnesota -- Surveys.
Persons:
Heilbron, Bertha L. (Bertha Lion), 1895-1972.
Moore, Willard B. (Willard Burgess), 1931-.
Organizations:
In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre
National Endowment for the Arts. Folk Arts Program.
University of Minnesota. University Art Museum.
Places:
Minnesota -- Social life and customs.
Document Types:
Photographs.
Slides.
Occupations:
Folk artists.

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