Intern helps archive Artis collection
CHADRON – Twenty-five works of art form the nucleus of Chadron State College’s William Artis collection, but other unique items in the college archive help round out the picture of the pioneering African-American sculptor and ceramist who taught art at CSC in the ’50s and ’60s.
Organizing those archives as part of a student internship gave studio art major Jodi Birch of Valentine, Nebraska, an appreciation for the artist’s work, as well as hands-on experience in museum work.
Artis is best known for his sculptures and terra cotta busts, but worked in a variety of other media, including drawings, mosaics and ceramics. Several of his pieces remained at CSC when he left in the mid-1960s and former students and friends gave CSC other art pieces and documents such as personal letters. The archive also includes some of Artis’ sculpting tools, newspaper and magazine clippings, exhibit brochures, reports on recent sales of his works and photos of him working and teaching.
Birch, who graduated in May, 2015, received a Lindeken Endowed Internship to complete 150 hours of work on cataloging and filing the papers, photos and other items related to Artis.
Learning that the artist whose work she saw displayed in Memorial Hall is considered an important figure in the development of African-American art was a revelation, said Birch, who earned a minor in museum studies. One photo of Artis instructing students, was particularly intriguing, she said.
“It’s (taken) in the same room where I studied ceramics,” she said.
And handling the tools, including a wedge that is signed by Artis, was “pretty exciting,” especially after seeing a photo of him at work,” Birch said. “I can see how he used the tool.”
Birch plans to work towards a master’s degree in art, possibly by taking courses online, and eventually set up her own stained glass business. But making a living as an artist can be difficult, she said, so teaching art in college, as Artis did, is another option.
“You definitely have to have another job and art as kind of a side job,” she said.
Making a name as an artist is difficult, and it’s not surprising that the Artis collection at CSC isn’t well known, said Birch.
“At least he did get some recognition. It’s not easy to do.”
But creating art is important, even without public acclaim, she added.
“It’s a way of expressing yourself and expressing culture. Documents may not last. I think art will,” she said.
Category: Campus News