Robert Dennis Reid papers, 1961-1977

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A Finding Aid to the Robert Dennis Reid Papers, 1961-1977 , in the Archives of American Art, by Jayna M. Hanson

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Table of Contents:

• Biographical Information
• Overview of the Collection
• How to Use the Collection
• Detailed Description and Container Inventory

Biographical Information

African-American painter and fine arts professor Robert Dennis Reid was born in Atlanta, Georgia in 1924. He studied at Clark College in Atlanta from 1941-1943 and continued his art education at the Art Institute of Chicago. Later, Reid studied at the Parsons New School of Design in New York City.

Throughout his career, Reid exhibitied at Grand Central Art Gallery in New York City, the UCLA Gallery, and the Whitney Museum of American Art. In addition, the 1st World Festival of Negro Artists in Dakar, Senegal (1965) featured Reid's work. Reid held positions as a professor of painting and drawing at the Summit Art Center in New Jersey and the Rhode Island School of Design. He also exhibited with the U.S. State Department in the "Arts in the American Embassies" program. To supplement his income, Reid worked for the United States Post Office in the evenings. Robert Dennis Reid died in 2002.

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Overview of the Collection

Scope and Contents

This small collection of papers of African-American painter and fine arts professor Robert Dennis Reid consists of a resume, 75 letters to and from Reid, scattered exhibition catalogs and announcements, clippings, and photographs and slides of Reid's artwork. There is also one photograph of Reid. Within the correspondence are six letters from Romare Bearden, as well as correspondence with Grand Central Modern Gallery, Grand Central Galleries, University of Notre Dame Art Gallery, Fairweather Hardin Gallery (Chicago), Rose Fried Gallery, Galerie Darthea Speyer (Paris), Benson Gallery, ADI Gallery, Inc. (San Francisco, Calif.), and the Young Gallery (Calif.).

Arrangement and Series Description

The collection is arranged into 4 series:

• Series 1: Biographical Information, circa 1960s (Box 1; 1 item)
• Series 2: Correspondence, circa 1960s-1970s (Box 1; 75 items)
• Series 3: Printed Material, circa 1961-1975 (Box 1; 3 folders)
• Series 4: Photographs and Slides, 1964-1977 (Box 1; 2 folders)

Subjects and Names

Provenance

Robert Dennis Reid donated his papers to the Archives of American Art on November 4, 1974.

How the Collection was Processed

The collection was processed by Jayna Hanson in 2008.

How to Use the Collection

Restrictions on Use

The collection is open for research. Use requires an appointment.

Ownership & Literary Rights

The Robert Dennis Reid papers are owned by the Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution. Literary rights as possessed by the donor have been dedicated to public use for research, study, and scholarship. The collection is subject to all copyright laws.

How to Cite this Collection

Robert Dennis Reid papers, 1961-1977. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.

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Detailed Description and Container Inventory

Series 1: Biographical Information, circa 1960s (Box 1; 1 item)

This series consists of one resume of Robert Dennis Reid.

Series 2: Correspondence, circa 1960s-1970s (Box 1; 75 items)

Found here is correspondence to and from Robert Dennis Reid, including six letters from Romare Bearden and correspondence with Grand Central Modern Gallery, Grand Central Galleries, University of Notre Dame Art Gallery, Fairweather Hardin Gallery (Chicago), Rose Fried Gallery, Galerie Darthea Speyer (Paris), Benson Gallery, ADI Gallery, Inc. (San Francisco, Calif.), and the Young Gallery (Calif.)

Correspondence is arranged chronologically with undated materials at the end.

Series 3: Printed Material, circa 1961-1975 (Box 1; 3 folders)

This series contains exhibtion announcements, catalogs, press releases and newspaper clippings concerning Robert Dennis Reid's shows and activities as an artist.

Series 4: Photographs and Slides, 1964-1977 (Box 1; 2 folders)

This series consists of one photograph of Robert Dennis Reid as well as slides and photographs of his works of art.