Roger Medearis papers, 1920-2001

Collection Information

Size: 3.2 Linear feet

Summary: Correspondence; exhibition and gallery files and files on works of art; writings; transcripts and audio recordings; printed material and miscellaneous. Correspondence is with Thomas Hart Benton and his wife Rita, ca. 1945-1971, and with Marianne Berardi, ca. 1994-2000. Also included are letters from Medearis to his wife, Elizabeth [Betty], as well as letters from Medearis' childhood, ca. 1920-1937, including a letter to Santa and letters home from Baptist University. Files on writings include include Medearis' unpublished book "My Regionalism," ca. 1949-1950; transcripts of lectures and speeches given by Medearis; and transcripts of an interview of Thomas Hart Benton by Earl Bennett, prepared by Medearis. Printed material incudes exhibition catalogues and newspaper clippings. Also included are calendars and work records, ca. 1948-2001; Medearis' death certificate, 2001, an audio recording of Medearis' memorial service and transcripts of eulogies, and other miscellany.

Biographical/Historical Note

Painter; Kansas City, Kan.; b. 1920; d. 2001. Medearis was a Regionalist painter who studied under Thomas Hart Benton at the Kansas City Art Institute.

Provenance

Donated 2006 by Elizabeth Medearis, third wife and widow of Roger Medearis.

Language Note

English .

Restrictions on Access

Use of original papers requires an appointment and is limited to the Archives' Washington, D.C., Research Center. Contact Reference Services for more information.

Restrictions on Use

My Regionalism: The donor has retained all intellectual property rights, including copyright, that they may own.

The Archives of American Art makes its archival collections available for non-commercial, educational and personal use unless restricted by copyright and/or donor restrictions, including but not limited to access and publication restrictions. AAA makes no representations concerning such rights and restrictions and it is the user's responsibility to determine whether rights or restrictions exist and to obtain any necessary permission to access, use, reproduce and publish the collections. Please refer to the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for additional information.

How to Cite This Collection

Roger Medearis papers, 1920-2001. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.