Summer School: Selections from the Archives of American Art

Lawrence A. Fleischman Gallery in the Reynolds Center for Art and Portraiture
June 20 - September 28, 2008

Each year, as the days get longer and the weather warmer, people everywhere welcome summer and its charms. For many artists, summer offers an opportunity to concentrate fully on their work, without the constraints of teaching or the distractions of city living. Beginning in 1891, summer programs for artists began to pop up all over the east coast of the United States. At first, schools were formed close to Manhattan, where most artists lived and worked, but soon spread up the New England coast, and beyond. Like the summer camps of childhood, these schools provided a structured yet liberal environment that allowed for unbridled creativity and collaboration. As the schools grew in reputation and roster, they became firmly planted in the lore of American art history, and many still operate today. Through original letters, rare photographs, and sketchbooks from the Archives of American Art, this exhibition showcases these schools and their importance to artists’ lives and careers.

Images from this Exhibition

[Fritz Dreisbach's comments on Penland's Resident Program], 1983.	[Diane Itter to Francis Sumner Merritt.], July 16, 1975.	[Class discussion at Skowhegan], 1975.
[Mark di Suvero and Ultra Violet], 1974.	[Nike Olenike and Printmaker Twins Seven-Seven at Haystack], 1974.	[Claes Oldenburg, visiting artist], 1973.
[William Brown's autograph book], 1971.	[Photograph of Dale Chihuly and Jamie Carpenter at Pilchuck], 1971.	[William Brown autograph book], 1971.
[Class discussion at Skowhegan], 1970.	[Robert Indiana critiquing student work], 1969.	[Buckminster Fuller at Skowhegan], 1968.
[Jacobs Lawrence critiquing student work], 1968.	[Dorothy and Roy Lichtenstein], 1968.	[Student painting sheds at Skowhegan], ca. 1968.
[Jack Levine working his faculty studio], Summer, 1952.	[Haystack Mountain School of Crafts summer brochure], ca. 1953.	[Sketching class on the beach in Provincetown], ca. 1936.
[Edwin Ambrose Webster plein air painting class, Provincetown, Mass.], 191-?.	[Edwin Ambrose Webster summer art school brochure], between 1900 and 1935.	[Study for: Summer school advertisement], Between 1900 and 1935.
[William Merritt Chase painting], ca. 1900.	[Rockwell Kent], between 1900 and 1902.	[William Merritt Chase], ca. 1900.
[Horse drawn carriage with sign for the Cape Cod School of Art], 1899.	[Matunuck Summer School of Painting sketchbook], ca. 1899.	[Advertisemant for Philip L. Hale's summer class], 1899.
[Herbert D. Hale letter to Mary E. Williams], 1897 July 6.	[Jane Brown and Lucy Morgan], ca. 1963-1964.