Archives West Finding Aid
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Karen Irvin photograph and poster collection, circa 1900-1994
Overview of the Collection
- Compiler
- Irvin, Karen, approximately 1910-1999
- Title
- Karen Irvin photograph and poster collection
- Dates
- circa 1900-1994 (inclusive)19001994
1950-1994 (bulk)1950-19941950-1994 - Quantity
- 2.6 cubic feet (4 boxes plus 1 oversize folder)
- Collection Number
- PH2004-029
- Summary
- Images of Cornish School of Allied Arts ballet productions directed by Karen Irvin, head of the Cornish School dance department
- Repository
-
University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu - Access Restrictions
-
No restrictions on access
- Languages
- English
Biographical NoteReturn to Top
Born in Hastings, Pennsylvania, circa 1910, Karen Irvin moved with her family to Seattle, Washington at age 8. It was there that she began to study ballet with Caird Leslie, Lee Foley, and ultimately with Nellie Cornish of the Cornish School (now Cornish College of the Arts). She studied briefly in New York, then returned to the Northwest where she opened a ballet studio in West Seattle. Irvin joined the Cornish faculty in 1945, and in 1952 she became head of the Institution's dance department. Four years later, she co-founded Cornish Ballet -- an early contributor to the regional ballet movement -- with her longtime companion, Mea Hartman. Irvin headed the dance department at Cornish for 27 years, and was responsible for designing the College's dance degree program. She trained dancers for companies such as the Joffrey Ballet, Twyla Tharp Dance, the Pennsylvania Ballet, and National Ballet of Canada, and worked to raise Seattle's stature in the dance world. Miss Irvin died of heart failure on March 2, 1999, at the age of 89.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
Images of Cornish School of Allied Arts ballet productions directed by or related to Karen Irvin, Head of the Cornish School dance department.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Restrictions on Use
Restrictions may exist on reproduction, quotation, or publication. Users are responsible for researching copyright status before use. Restrictions may exist on copying, quotation, or publication. Contact University of Washington Libraries Special Collections for details.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Custodial History
The current photograph collection, Photo Acc. 2004-029, was received together on November 17th, 1999 with materials that form Accession No. 4341-002 in the Manuscripts collection. Please refer to the appropriate manuscripts finding aid to use those collections. The photographs were transferred to the Visual Materials Collection on January 29th, 2004.
Acquisition Information
Gift of the estate of Karen Irvin, 1999.
Gift of the estate of Karen Irvin (David Martin), 2016.
Processing Note
Unprocessed.
In 2016, additional materials from the Karen Irvin estate were gifted to the University of Washington. These materials have been incorporated into this accession.
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Box | ||
| 1 | Photographs, Proofs, Negatives, and slides | circa 1900-1974 |
| 2-3 | Oversized photographic prints and posters | circa 1950-1970 |
| 4 | "Album in the
Attic"
Six b/w prints of various scenes from this ballet production.
|
1964 |
| 4 | "Charades"
Two b/w prints of this ballet production.
|
undated |
| 4 | Liturgical
Rehearsal
Seven b/w prints of rehearsals for a religious dance done as part
of a service in an Episcopal church.
|
undated |
| 4 | "Nutcracker"
Two b/w prints of a rehearsal of the Spanish Dance from
Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker".
|
1973 |
| 4 | "Spectrum"
Eight b/w prints of various scenes from this ballet
production.
|
1974 |
| 4 | "Sugar and
Spice"
One b/w print of this ballet production.
|
undated |
| 4 | Photographs of
former students, rehearsals, and productions
Five b/w prints.
|
undated |
| folder:oversize | ||
| OS folder | Posters
Eight posters advertising performances and events from the
Seattle's Dance Festival, Cornish Dance Theater, Metropolitan Ballet of Tacoma,
The Reed College Community's Pacific Coast Arts Festival
|
1957-1994 |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Ballet dancers--Washington (State)--Photographs
- Ballet--Production and direction--Washington (State)--Photographs
- Dance--Production and direction--Washington (State)--Photographs
- Visual Materials Collections (University of Washington)
Personal Names
- Irvin, Karen, approximately 1910-1999
- Irvin, Karen, approximately 1910-1999--Archives
- Irvin, Karen, approximately 1910-1999--Photographs
Corporate Names
- Cornish College of the Arts (Seattle, Wash.)--Archives
- Cornish College of the Arts (Seattle, Wash.)--Photographs
- Cornish School of Allied Arts (Seattle, Wash.)
Other Creators
-
Corporate Names
- Cornish Institute of Allied Arts (Seattle, Wash.) (creator)
