Red River Watercolor Society Records
Collection
Identifier: Mss 299
Scope and Contents
The records of the Red River Watercolor Society document the activities of the organization during its first fourteen years of operation. The society’s main annual events are a national juried art exhibition, judged by an acclaimed artist, and artist workshops. The records have been organized into nine series: Bylaws, Newsletters, Membership, Correspondence, Workshops, Exhibitions, Meeting Minutes, Finance, and Subject Files. The Bylaws Series consists of the society’s bylaws, written in 1991, and amendments to the bylaws made in 1992.
The Newsletters Series contains the society’s published newsletter. Called the Watershed from 1992 through 1999, the newsletter was published primarily on a quarterly basis, although at times the rate of publication varied. There is a small amount of correspondence and other information relating to the newsletter accompanying these issues. Issues are from January 1991 to 2009, with some gaps.
The Membership Series contains documentation relating to the organization’s membership. Included are annual member lists and directories, new member forms, and officer lists. Records pertain to the years 1990-2004.
The Correspondence Series contains letters, publications, and memos as they relate to the society. The content of the documents covers the scope of the organization, but primarily relates to donations received. Documents date from 1991-1999.
The Workshops Series relates to the scheduling and running of artist workshops. The society usually held workshops once a year, with a nationally-recognized artist conducting them. Documents include correspondence, itineraries, advertisements, and lists of participants.
The Exhibitions Series consists of the records for all the exhibitions the society sponsored. Beginning in 1994 the society has held an annual national juried art exhibition in which a well-known artist, often the same artist as conducted that year’s workshop, judge entries. In addition to these exhibitions, the society also held smaller exhibitions at hospitals, museums, and other public venues. This is the largest series in the collection.
The Meeting Minutes Series includes the minutes of both general and board meetings as well as meeting agendas. Records exist from 1990-2009, and are mostly complete.
The Financial Series contains all documentation relating to matters of finance. Among these are budgets, bank statements, donation forms, tax forms, and applications for status as a non-profit. This is the second largest series in the collection. The Subject Files Series holds all documentation not specific to any other series. Included are newsletters of other organizations, newspaper clippings, rules for use of their library, and other items related to the Society. This series also contains information of the street shows and advertisement used by the Red River watercolor society.
The Newsletters Series contains the society’s published newsletter. Called the Watershed from 1992 through 1999, the newsletter was published primarily on a quarterly basis, although at times the rate of publication varied. There is a small amount of correspondence and other information relating to the newsletter accompanying these issues. Issues are from January 1991 to 2009, with some gaps.
The Membership Series contains documentation relating to the organization’s membership. Included are annual member lists and directories, new member forms, and officer lists. Records pertain to the years 1990-2004.
The Correspondence Series contains letters, publications, and memos as they relate to the society. The content of the documents covers the scope of the organization, but primarily relates to donations received. Documents date from 1991-1999.
The Workshops Series relates to the scheduling and running of artist workshops. The society usually held workshops once a year, with a nationally-recognized artist conducting them. Documents include correspondence, itineraries, advertisements, and lists of participants.
The Exhibitions Series consists of the records for all the exhibitions the society sponsored. Beginning in 1994 the society has held an annual national juried art exhibition in which a well-known artist, often the same artist as conducted that year’s workshop, judge entries. In addition to these exhibitions, the society also held smaller exhibitions at hospitals, museums, and other public venues. This is the largest series in the collection.
The Meeting Minutes Series includes the minutes of both general and board meetings as well as meeting agendas. Records exist from 1990-2009, and are mostly complete.
The Financial Series contains all documentation relating to matters of finance. Among these are budgets, bank statements, donation forms, tax forms, and applications for status as a non-profit. This is the second largest series in the collection. The Subject Files Series holds all documentation not specific to any other series. Included are newsletters of other organizations, newspaper clippings, rules for use of their library, and other items related to the Society. This series also contains information of the street shows and advertisement used by the Red River watercolor society.
Dates
- 1990-2006.
Creator
- Red River Watercolor Society. (Organization)
Access
The collection is open under the rules and regulations of the Institute.
Copyrights
The Institute owns the copyrights.
History
The Red River Watercolor Society (RRWS) was founded in 1989 by Sandy Miles and Ellen Jean Diederich, with an initial membership of thirteen. It has grown into a national organization with over 180 artists, about half of whom reside in the Red River Valley. The organization holds programs, workshops, and exhibitions that address the various components of watercolor art, including both business and artistic techniques, and to encourage community involvement. According to the Society’s website, their mission is “to promote education, achievement and inspiration within the Society” (www.redriverws.org).
Extent
1.4 Linear Feet (1.4 linear ft.)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
The records of the Red River Watercolor Society document the activities of the organization during its first fourteen years of operation.
Provenance
Donated by Red River Watercolor Society in 2004, 2006, and 2013. (Acc. 2725, 2726, 2803, and 2013-033irs).
Separation Record
The following items have been separated from the collection and housed in the Institute collection.
Audio-Visual (Institute AV Collection)
Video of 1994 National Juried Art Exhibition Video of 1995 National Juried Art Exhibition
Audio-Visual (Institute AV Collection)
Video of 1994 National Juried Art Exhibition Video of 1995 National Juried Art Exhibition
Property rights
The Institute for Regional Studies owns the property rights to this collection.
Creator
- Red River Watercolor Society. (Organization)
- Title
- Finding Aid to the Red River Watercolor Society Records
- Description rules
- Appm
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Institute for Regional Studies Repository
Contact:
West Building N
3551 7th Avenue North
Fargo North Dakota 58102 United States
ndsu.archives@ndsu.edu
West Building N
3551 7th Avenue North
Fargo North Dakota 58102 United States
ndsu.archives@ndsu.edu