Conditions Governing Use

The collection is subject to all copyright laws. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by copyright, beyond that allowed by fair use, requires the researcher to obtain permission of copyright holders.

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research.

Custodial History

The collection was donated by Irene Jessee Perry, past President of Richmond Artists Association in August 2005. The blue notebook belonging to Sara D. (Mrs. Israel) November was donated by Neil November in November 2011.

Preferred Citation

Records of the Richmond Artists Association (SC-09). Gift of the Richmond Artists Association by Irene Jessee Perry. VMFA Archives, Richmond, Virginia.

Processing Information

The collection was arranged chronologically and newsletters that were scattered throughout the collection were brought together in one series. When provided, original folder titles were kept.

Historical Note

Looking for ways to display their artworks and introduce Richmond to contemporary fine art, a group of full time art instructors and other professional artists from the Richmond Professional Institute (now Virginia Commonwealth University's School of Arts) started the area's very first art organization. The Richmond Artists Association began in 1955 with artist/lawyer, Westwood Winfree, as its first president and Theresa Pollock as one of its founding members. The Richmond Artists Association has been a leader in encouraging and showcasing all types of art throughout the community. In the fall of 2005, members of the Richmond Artists Association and the Metropolitan Artists Association met and decided to join together to form the Metropolitan Richmond Artists Association.

Source: Metropolitan Richmond Artists Association

Scope and Contents

The collection's inclusive dates are 1955-2005, with the bulk of the material dating from 1955-1994. The collection is comprised of exhibition catalogs, correspondence, membership lists, president and officer files, meeting minutes, committee files, newsletters, and other ephemeral material.

Arrangement

The collection is organized into two series, and items are arranged chronologically within each series. Items with no date are placed at the end of a series.

Series 1

General Files, 1955-2005, undated

Series 2

Newsletters, 1971-2002

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Art, American -- Virginia -- 20th century
• Artists -- Virginia
• Arts Council of Richmond
• Federated Arts Council of Richmond
• Richmond (Va.)