Robert Ebendorf papers, 1920-2015, bulk 1960-2010

Biographical material includes academic transcripts from the University of Kansas; professional and personal awards and certificates; a curriculum vitae circa 2010; lifetime achievement awards and applications; family files; a purchased love letter written to a black soldier in 1920; pins and conference nametags; audio and video recordings of interviews in digital format; and a citizen commendation from the New York City Police Department. Miscellaneous biographical material consists of a business card, high school graduation program, letter to parents from the Kansas Governor for their 50th wedding anniversary, workshop flyer with brief bio, wedding announcement with Aleta Braun, and photocopies of portrait illustrations by Jess Taylor.

Correspondence is chiefly collaged, drawn, and stitched mail art with wife Aleta Braun, a colleague's son Louis Bailey, students, and friends. There is also business correspondence with museums, universities, and professional societies regarding commissions, exhibitions, and academic positions; correspondence with Emprise Financial in Kansas; and personal correspondence with friends, family, and colleagues.

Writings by Robert Ebendorf include artist statements, short autobiographies, teaching philosophies, reflections, and exhibition statements, while writings about Ebendorf include essays, reports, speeches, and a manuscript of Robert W. Ebendorf: The Work in Depth published by the Racine Art Museum. Also found in this series are a poem and short essay by Elliot Smith; a biography sent by the artist's uncle Herb mentioning Ebendorf's great-grandfather circa 1945; a short story by daughter Brittany; and an application essay by wife Aleta Braun for the Jentel Artist Residency in Wyoming.

This series consists of application materials for the Belk Distinguished Chair position at East Carolina University, student applications and letters of recommendation for various fellowship programs, and miscellaneous teaching files, including student project proposals, certificates of teacher-student impact from ECU, research notes, and a list of international museums and galleries, possibly for Fulbright study.

Personal business records include images, correspondence, and publicity material for the Formica design award won by Ebendorf and then-wife Ivy Ross in 1984. Files on retrospective exhibitions includes images of and notes on material to be included, checklists of artwork, exhibition writings, loan receipts, and correspondence. Also found in this series are inventories of artwork, a mailing list of individuals and museums, and records of financial and material exchanges with museums.

This series contains magazines, bulletins, and news clippings regarding Ebendorf and his artwork as well as exhibition announcements, brochures, catalogs, and signage.

This series contains artwork from Ebendorf's childhood in the 1940s, a collaged book titled "The Pilgrim of Love," cut-paper designs on cardstock, scans of sketches and sketchbook pages, as well as a number of loose sketches and drawings, including a set from Ebendorf's freshman class, Nature Drawing I, at the University of Kansas in 1956.

Most of the sketchbooks included are from Ebendorf's time in Norway with a Fulbright Fellowship from 1963 to 1964 and a Tiffany Foundation Grant from 1965 to 1966. An additional sketchbook includes images of designs for a medal commissioned by the Medical College of Georgia.

This series includes formal and informal images of the artist with works, in his studio, and teaching students. There are also photographs, negatives, and an annotated album of family, friends, and colleagues as well as color transparencies of the house Ebendorf shared with first wife Sue Springer in New Paltz in the early 1980s. Images of exhibitions and artwork include photographs, negatives, color transparencies, an extensive collection of 35-mm slides, and digital prints. An oversized portrait photograph of Ebendorf is housed in OV 7.