Indianapolis Museum of Art Blog » Prints

Researching the American Textile Collection

Petra — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 17:56:02 +0000

A few months ago I wrote a post on data entry and clean-up. While to some, it may first seem uneventful- the glow of the computer screen, clacking keys, cream colored files.

It is really quite exciting; allow me to share just a few reasons why.

While researching the American textile collection, I delighted in studying our 1930s and 1940s textiles, a few of which were designed and produced as part of the Milwaukee WPA Handicraft project. This was a highly successful WPA venture that provided work for under-skilled people. The project engaged workers in a multitude of handcraft practices, instructed by designer- technicians drawn from graduates of the Milwaukee State Teachers College art department.

In the IMA’s collection, we have two examples of textiles that were produced as the result of this highly successful project; both designed by Florence Kawa.

The Reapers, Florence Kawa (39.41)

The Workers, Florence Kawa (39.42)

Other noteworthy 1930s and 1940s textiles in the collection (not associated with the WPA movement) were designed by Ruth Reeves, an illustrator and textile designer, known for her Art Deco imagery, as well as Dorothy Trout and Tom Lamb. Examples of their work were included in the 1931 publication, ANNUAL OF AMERICAN DESIGN.

The Circus, Ruth Reeves for Morley Fletcher, Ltd. (48.32)

Ruth Reeves, design for a children’s room (47.173)

Dorothy Trout (47.179)

(Note Dorothy’s signature)

Tom Lamb (47.180)

The IMA also houses textiles manufactured by the Waverly Division of F. Schumacher & Co., a fifth generation, family-owned interior design company founded in 1889. Waverly is a division of F. Schumacher & Co. launched in 1923.

One example, designed by William Domaratius is entitled MidSummer. Note the swatches attached at the top, providing alternate colorways or complimentary designs. As the company grew they added a wallpaper line, as well as commissioned works from famous European designers such as, Lalique, Brandt, Seguy, Follot and Poiret.

MidSummer, William Domaratius for F. Schmacher & Co., Waverly Division (TR1700)

The last examples I will share are by Jullian Tomchin and Margaret King (who also designed for F. Schumacher). Jullian Tomchin designed this piece to commemorate the birthday of fashion designer, Norman Norell. Along the selvage note the stamp that reads “Designed especially for A PARTY FOR NORMAN on October 23, 1967”.

Jullian Tomchin (S6587.87.1)

King’s design, entitled Cross Country, depicts 8 historic landmarks throughout the state of Indiana, manufactured by F. Schumacher & Co. for L.S. Ayres & Co.

Indiana buildings featured: Soldiers & Sailors Monument, Indianapolis; Indiana University Student Building, Bloomington; Whitcomb Riley’s birthplace, Greenfield; a covered bridge, Raccoon; Lincoln Village, Rockport; First State Capital, Corydon; Old Mill at Spring Mill Park; George Rogers Clark Memorial, Vincennes

The IMA houses additional versions of this design in blue and beige, as well as a sample of the matching wall-paper.

Cross-Country, Margaret King for F. Schumacher & Co. (47.193b)

IMA Hidden Talents Festival Wrap-Up

Matt — Tue, 26 May 2009 17:06:03 +0000

It’s things like this that remind me how lucky I am to work where I do. How many workplaces do you know that have a talent show!? You won’t see this in any of our galleries, at least not anytime soon, but it’s all amazing stuff!

These are all photos I took on my iPhone (hence the shady quality) of artworks brought in to our in-house talent show. The festival took place on Monday, May 18th, 2009. Enjoy…

Heather Hudson - Artwork

Pat Williamson - Paintings & Drawings

Gary Hutchison - Photographs & 2D Art

Jeff Julius - WWII Ships from Recycled Materials

Lindsay Lord - Handbags & Totes

Mary Schnellbacher

Matt Warner - Drawings, Painting & Photographs

Phil Hughes - Paintings & Pewter Miniatures

Joseph Vasquez - Fine Art Prints

John Todd - Ceramics

Carol White - Jewelry & Metalsmithing

Len Bibeau - Painting & Prints

I’ve tried to caption these things as best as I can, but surely I’ve made a mistake or two… please, feel free to chime in and talk about your art if I’ve featured it here (or if I missed you… it was not intentional, I promise!).

I should also mention, there was a performance part to the talent show, but photos won’t do much justice. People performed songs, and performed them amazingly well I must say! Maybe one day we’ll see a clip or two pop up on the internet… if so I’ll add those to the post.

Our Gift to You

Noelle Pulliam — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 13:14:36 +0000

A Look Back at Works of Art Newly Displayed at the IMA in 2008

If you visited the IMA’s permanent galleries more than once this year, it is likely you did not see the same works of art. Each month the IMA rotates different works of art in an effort to display the breadth of the Museum’s collection. The scheduled rotation is determined through a collaboration between curators and conservators. Curators decide which works are displayed and their display time frame, while the conservators regulate the exposure time of certain sensitive artworks. Below are just a handful of the hundreds of works newly displayed in the IMA’s galleries in 2008:

For a look at all the works that went on view in 2008, visit the IMA’s Dashboard.

In celebration of the IMA’s 125th anniversary, the Museum also sought to acquire 125 new gifts to add to its collection this year. Stay tuned for a complete recap of this project.