Robert Sperry papers, 1951-2002

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A Finding Aid to the Robert Sperry Papers, 1951-2002, in the Archives of American Art, by Erin Corley

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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

Robert Sperry was born in Bushnell, Illinois, in 1927. He grew up on his family's farm in Druid, Saskatchewan, Canada, and in 1945 was drafted into the U.S. Army, where he first developed an interest in art. After serving in the military, he returned home and completed his B.A. at the University of Saskatchewan in 1950 and a B.F.A. at the Art Institute of Chicago in 1953. While working on his B.A. he met and married Edyth MacDonald and they had one child, Van, in 1950. He spent one summer as Artist in Residence at the Archie Bray Foundation, in Helena, Montana, and then moved his family to Seattle so that he could complete his M.F.A. at the University of Washington. After graduating in 1955 he stayed at the University and became a professor, teaching ceramics until retiring in 1982. During this time, Sperry widely exhibited his clay vessels in both group and solo exhibitions and was active in the American Craft Council.

When not teaching, Robert Sperry pursued his interest in photography and filmmaking and, in 1963, traveled to Japan to make "Village Potters of Onda," a project that included a documentary film and a collection of black and white photographs. Sperry continued experimenting with film and, in 1967, created a fictional film entitled, "Profiles Cast Long Shadows," which was shown at film festivals throughout the United States. After abandoning another film project in 1970 while going through a divorce, he returned to ceramics as his focus. During the 1970s Sperry developed his techniques, modifying glazes and moving away from the vessel shape. In 1976 Sperry married Patti Warashina, fellow ceramicist and professor at the University of Washington. He began producing murals, which led to several public commissions such as a mural for the IBM Field Engineering Educational Center in Atlanta, created in 1983. Robert Sperry: A Retrospective, was exhibited in 1985-1986 at the Bellevue Art Museum, however, Sperry would continue producing and exhibiting new work, and giving lectures and workshops for thirteen more years, until his death in 1998.

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Overview of the Collection

Scope and Contents

The papers of ceramicist Robert Sperry measure 11 linear feet and date from 1951-2002. The collection documents Sperry's career as an artist and teacher through biographical information, correspondence, exhibition files, gallery files, material on projects and workshops, writings, a scrapbook, financial files, printed material, photographs, films, and artwork.

Biographical files contain items outlining Sperry's career including resumes, teaching evaluations, awards, and interviews. Correspondence includes general correspondence with family, friends, colleagues, schools, galleries, art organizations, and publications as well as named files for those with whom Sperry exchanged a significant amount of correspondence over a long period of time. The Exhibition Files contain materials on group and solo exhibitions Robert Sperry participated in, while Gallery Files hold material, such as correspondence and contracts, related to the galleries which exhibited Sperry's work primarily after 1979. The Project and Workshop Files in Series 5 contain material related to public commissions he completed and workshops he gave during the 1980s and 1990s.

Writings encompass writings by Sperry and others. Sperry's writings vary greatly and include drafts of articles, a family history, poetry, notes and a screenplay, while writings by others are primarily essays on art. Within this series Sperry's event calendars are also found. Sperry compiled a scrapbook which spans 1955 to 1964 and includes correspondence and printed material about exhibitions and newspaper clippings which feature his artwork. He and his wife, Patti Warashina, also compiled Financial Records primarily of their business and living expenses from 1976 to 1984 and earnings as artists and professors at the University of Washington.

The largest series in this collection, Printed Material, provides information largely on Sperry's career through press clippings, exhibition announcements, catalogs, and publications, and also includes other materials on ceramics in general. The Photographs series contains both photos and negatives from Sperry's trip to Japan to film "Village Potters of Onda" as well as photographs of his artwork and his family. Also found in this collection are a few sketches and drawings by Sperry and one drawing by Patti Warashina. Motion Picture Films consist of both VHS, which includes two documentaries on Sperry, and numerous reel-to-reel films which include footage for Sperry's films "Village Potters of Onda" and "Profiles Cast Long Shadows" as well as other experimental studies.

Arrangement and Series Description

The Robert Sperry papers are arranged as thirteen series, according to type of material. Each series is arranged either in rough chronological or alphabetical order.

• Series 1: Biographical Files, 1954-circa 2000, undated (Box 1; 0.3 linear feet)
• Series 2: Correspondence Files, 1951-2000, undated (Boxes 1-2; 0.9 linear feet)
• Series 3: Exhibition Files, 1963-1999, undated (Boxes 2-3; 1.2 linear feet)
• Series 4: Gallery Files, 1960-2000, undated (Boxes 3-4; 0.8 linear feet)
• Series 5: Project and Workshop Files, 1967-1996, undated (Box 4; 0.4 linear feet)
• Series 6: Writings, 1966-1990, undated (Box 5; 0.5 linear feet)
• Series 7: Scrapbook, 1955-1964 (Box 5; 8 folders)
• Series 8: Financial Records, 1961-1995, undated (Boxes 5-6; 1.0 linear feet)
• Series 9: Miscellaneous Subject Files, 1975-1998, undated (Box 6; 0.2 linear feet)
• Series 10: Printed Material, 1955-2002, undated (Boxes 6-10; 3.4 linear feet)
• Series 11: Photographs, 1963, undated (Box 10; 0.2 linear feet)
• Series 12: Sketches and Drawings, 1984, undated (Box 10; 2 folders)
• Series 13: Motion Picture Films, circa 1963-1998, undated (Boxes 10-11; 1.5 linear feet)

Subjects and Names

Provenance

The Robert Sperry papers were donated by Sperry's wife Patti Warashina in 2003 and 2004.

Separated and Related Materials

Also found in the Archives of American Art are the Patti Warashina papers, circa 1900-1991. An online finding aid is available.

How the Collection was Processed

The collection was processed by Erin E. Corley in 2004 as part of the Nanette L. Laitman Documentation Project for Craft and Decorative Art in America.

How to Use the Collection

Restrictions on Use

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

Ownership & Literary Rights

The Robert Sperry 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 Sperry papers, 1951-2002. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.

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Detailed Description and Container Inventory

Series 1: Biographical Files, 1954-circa 2000, undated (Box 1; 0.3 linear feet)

This series includes artist statements, curriculum vitae and resumes, as well as a complete biography listing all of Sperry's professional achievements. It also contains files on awards Robert Sperry received which typically include correspondence, brochures, and other related materials concerning the awards. There are two files on interviews, including a transcript for an interview conducted by the Archives of American Art for the Northwest Oral History Project and two audio cassettes of a radio interview. Also found are teaching evaluations, Patti Warashina's resume, and other miscellaneous materials. The series is arranged alphabetically by type of material, with miscellaneous materials at the end.

Series 2: Correspondence Files, 1951-2000, undated (Boxes 1-2; 0.9 linear feet)

This series contains both personal and professional correspondence. However, some correspondence related to Robert Sperry's professional career is also located within series 3, 4, and 5.

The Correspondence Files are organized into two subseries:

• 2.1: General Correspondence, 1951-2000, undated
• 2.2: Named Files, 1955-1999, undated

2.1 General Correspondence, 1951-2000, undated

General Correspondence primarily consists of letters from family, friends, artists, and colleagues, including numerous cards and postcards. Also within are professional correspondence from galleries, schools, art associations, and art publications. An item of note is a letter to Sperry from artist Morris Graves, written June 14, 1967. Files are arranged chronologically by year.

2.2 Named Files, 1955-1999, undated

Named Files are arranged alphabetically by the correspondent's name and contain letters, cards and postcards to Sperry. Included are files on individuals, primarily family, friends, and colleagues, with whom Sperry exchanged a significant amount of correspondence over a long period of time. Also found are files on museums, schools, art organizations, and publications. Most notable are several handmade birthday and anniversary cards given to Sperry by his wife, Patti Warashina.

Series 3: Exhibition Files, 1963-1999, undated (Boxes 2-3; 1.2 linear feet)

Exhibition Files contain material on the group and solo exhibitions in which Robert Sperry participated. Files typically include correspondence, expense lists and receipts, notes, and printed materials, including brochures, announcements, and press clippings. Most notable is the material on Robert Sperry: A Retrospective, held in 1985 at the Bellevue Art Museum. Files are arranged chronologically by year of exhibition.

Series 4: Gallery Files, 1962-2000, undated (Boxes 3-4; 0.8 linear feet)

This series contains files for galleries which exhibited and sold works by Robert Sperry, and may include exhibition announcements and invitations, brochures, correspondence with Sperry, contracts, invoices, and consignment lists and agreements. However, materials relating to certain exhibitions will be found in the Exhibition files in Series 3. The bulk of the material is dated after 1979 with the exception of the Henry Gallery, America House, and the Contemporary Crafts Gallery. Materials in this series are arranged alphabetically by gallery name.

Series 5: Project and Workshop Files, 1967-1996, undated (Box 4; 0.4 linear feet)

Files in this series typically contain correspondence, expense lists, receipts, itineraries, notes, and printed material related to sculpture projects and workshops that Robert Sperry completed primarily during the 1980s and 1990s. Project files include public commissions, notably the King County Administration Building Mural Project, IBM Wall Project, and the SAFECO sculpture. Files are arranged chronologically by year.

Series 6: Writings, 1966-1990, undated (Box 5; 0.5 linear feet)

This series houses writings by Robert Sperry and others, as well as Sperry's calendars. Writings by Sperry contain drafts for two articles published in art magazines. Also of interest is a family history he wrote which includes memories of his childhood on his family's farm, as well as many scanned photographs. This series also includes the screenplay, treatment and shooting script, and notes for "The Room" a film which Sperry never completed. Also found are many personal writings such as a brief journal, poetry, and miscellaneous notes. Writings by Others contain essays on art topics. Also included are various drafts of the catalog for the 1985 Robert Sperry retrospective. This sub-series is arranged alphabetically by author's last name.

The Writings are organized into three subseries:

• 6.1: Writings by Sperry, 1966-1990
• 6.2: Writings by Others, 1986, undated
• 6.3: Calendars, 1976-1984

6.1 Writings by Sperry, 1966-1990

6.2 Writings by Others, 1986, undated

6.3 Calendars, 1976-1984

Series 7: Scrapbook, 1955-1964 (Box 5; 8 folders)

This series contains one scrapbook which includes materials that Robert Sperry gathered between 1955 and 1964. The items are primarily related to exhibitions and newspaper articles featuring Sperry's artwork and include exhibition announcements and correspondence, photographs, and numerous press clippings.

Series 8: Financial Records, 1961-1995, undated (Boxes 5-6; 1.0 linear foot)

This series consists mainly of files for living and business expenses for Robert Sperry and his wife Patti Warashina from 1976 to 1984. Files include bills, receipts, and handwritten lists of expenses. Also found are files for records of earnings from the University of Washington, various lectures, and pottery sales. Other financial records include income tax returns, stocks, and the Myrtle Sperry Estate. Materials are arranged alphabetically by subject with miscellaneous items at the end.

Series 9: Miscellaneous Subject Files, 1975-1998, undated (Box 6; 0.2 linear feet)

This series contains materials on a variety of topics and include all correspondence, printed material, notes, and other related documents. Files are arranged alphabetically by subject.

Series 10: Printed Material, 1955-2002, undated (Boxes 6-10; 3.4 linear feet)

This series includes printed material and publications which mention Robert Sperry and his artwork as well as materials on events in the arts. There are numerous newspaper and magazine clippings on Sperry, his exhibitions and workshops, and other miscellaneous articles and images that he found interesting. Files of clippings about Sperry contain many reviews of his work. Also within this series are exhibition announcements and catalogs for Sperry and other artists, brochures for galleries and events, calendars of events, gallery guides, and newsletters. The series contains many art publications and a few non-art publications which mention Sperry and show his work, and books primarily on ceramics. This series is arranged alphabetically by type of material with miscellaneous items at the end.

Series 11: Photographs, 1963, undated (Box 10; 0.2 linear feet)

This series contains photographs, negatives, and slides, mainly from Robert Sperry's stay in Japan in 1963 while making the film "Village Potters of Onda." Also found are photographs and negatives of Sperry, his family (first wife Edyth and son Van), and artwork by him and other artists. The slides include photos taken by Sperry in 1976 at Grayland State Park, Washington, and Palm Gardens, Florida, and in 1979 at an unidentified political event. This series is arranged alphabetically by subject with negatives and slides filed separate from photographs.

Series 12: Sketches and Drawings, 1984, undated (Box 10; 2 folders)

This series contains sketches and drawings by Robert Sperry which do not appear to be related to his ceramic works. Also found is one small pen drawing by his wife, Patti Warashina.

Series 13: Motion Picture Films, circa 1963-1998, undated (Boxes 10-11; 1.5 linear feet)

This series contains VHS, which feature two documentaries on Sperry at work in his studio, and reel-to-reel motion picture film of various sizes. The reel-to-reel film includes footage for Sperry's award winning films "Village Potters of Onda" and "Profiles Cast Long Shadows" as well as other short and experimental studies such as the animated film "Henry." Titles given to the films in this series are based on the titles and descriptions written on each reel. Materials are arranged alphabetically by title.