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Maxine Cushing Gray papers, 1930-1987

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Gray, Maxine Cushing
Title
Maxine Cushing Gray papers
Dates
1930-1987 (inclusive)
Quantity
15.17 cubic feet, (27 boxes)
2 sound cassettes
7 sound tape reels
Collection Number
2682
Summary
Papers of Gray (1909-1987), a local Seattle arts critic, editor, writer, advocate, and watchdog
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

Open to all users.

Request at UW

Languages
Collection materials are in English.
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Biographical Note

Maxine Cushing Gray (1909-1987) was a local Seattle arts critic, editor, writer, advocate, and watchdog. She was very involved in the Pacific Northwest arts scene and worked tirelessly on causes such as Native American arts, arts education in Seattle schools, and funding for artists. Some of the things she did over her long arts career included being a prominent member of the ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union), an arts critic for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, an editor for the Argus arts weekly, and publisher and editor of the arts journal Northwest Arts. She was nicknamed The Tweed Hornet for her "because of her capacity to sting in print" according to Historylink. "I have certain things I believe in, and I cling to them," Maxine told The Seattle Times. "The importance of regionalism in the arts, supporting local artists, public accountability among arts institutions" (November 4, 1981). There is currently a University of Washington fellowship in her name called the Maxine Cushing Gray Visiting Writers Fellowship.

Sources: "The Darkening Northwest Imagination from Crosscut.com (accessed 2007) and Historylink.org

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Content Description

Maxine Cushing Gray's papers include an extensive collection of correspondence consisting of letters to and from her family, friends, colleagues, and organizations. The collection also contains materials documenting her involvement in the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) where she was a member of the Indian Rights Committee; her time as reporter for the Argus, a weekly newspaper; her involvment in the Holiday Dance Concert and Northwest Dance Theatre; her founding of Northwest Art, a local arts magazine; and her support of Native American arts. There is also material related to her life prior to moving to Seattle in 1941. Lastly, is correspondence, sketches, and drawings from Glen LaFontaine, an artist of American Indian (Cree) descent.

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Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Use

Creator's literary rights retained. Contact repository for details.

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Administrative Information

Arrangement

Organized into 9 series.

  1. Series 1, Correspondence, 1949-1987
  2. Series 2, ACLU, 1967-1971
  3. Series 3, Address books, 1939-1976
  4. Series 4, Argus, 1964-1984
  5. Series 5, Dance, 1956-1973
  6. Series 6, Native American Affairs, 1950s-1970s
  7. Series 7, Northwest Arts, 1968-1987
  8. Series 8, Pre-Seattle, 1930-1942
  9. Series 9, Glen LaFontaine, 1968-1970, undated

Acquisition Information

Received in several donations from Maxine Cushing Gray and the Estate of Maxine Cushing Gray, 1977-2004

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Detailed Description of the Collection

Names and Subjects

Subject Terms

  • Art critics--Northwest, Pacific
  • Arts--Washington (State)--Seattle--Citizen participation
  • Dance critics--United States--20th century
  • Dance critics--Washington (State)--Seattle
  • Government aid to the arts--Washington (State)--Seattle
  • Indians of North America--Washington (State)
  • Journalists--United States--20th century
  • Journalists--Washington (State)--Seattle
  • Music critics--California--San Francisco
  • Music critics--Washington (State)--Seattle
  • Periodical editors--Washington (State)--Seattle
  • Personal Papers/Corporate Records (University of Washington)
  • Poets--Northwest, Pacific
  • Women music critics--United States--20th century

Personal Names

  • La Fontaine, Glen

Form or Genre Terms

  • Business correspondence
  • Ephemera
  • Oral histories
  • Personal correspondence
  • Sound recordings

Other Creators

  • Personal Names

    • Gray, Maxine Cushing--Archives

    Corporate Names

    • American Civil Liberties Union--Records and correspondence
    • Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture--Records and correspondence
    • Henry Art Gallery--Records and correspondence
    • King County Arts Commission--Records and correspondence
    • Metropolitan Opera (New York, N.Y.)--Records and correspondence
    • Pacific Northwest Ballet--Records and correspondence
    • Portland Opera (Or.)--Records and correspondence
    • Seattle Art Museum--Records and correspondence
    • Seattle Opera--Records and correspondence
    • Seattle Public Library--Records and correspondence
    • Seattle Public Schools--Records and correspondence
    • University of British Columbia--Records and correspondence
    • University of Washington--Records and correspondence
    • Washington State Arts Commission--Records and correspondence


2007 (Last modified: 4/13/2018)

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