Harry Widman papers, 1895-2015

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Widman, Harry, 1929-2014
Title
Harry Widman papers
Dates
1895-2015 (inclusive)
1937-2015 (bulk)
Quantity
12 linear feet, (25 boxes)  :  Includes six metal slide boxes.
Collection Number
WUA123
Summary
The Harry Widman papers document the art and teaching careers of Harry Widman from 1937 to 2015. This collection also includes family documents from 1895 to 2015.
Repository
Willamette University Archives and Special Collections
Archives and Special Collections
Mark O. Hatfield Library
900 State Street
Salem, OR
97301
Telephone: 5033706866
Fax: 5033706141
archives@willamette.edu
Access Restrictions

This collection is open to researchers.

Languages
English
Sponsor
Processed with funds provided by the National Historical Publications & Records Commission's (NHPRC) Access to Historical Records grant.

Historical NoteReturn to Top

Harry Frederick Widman, Jr. was a prolific painter, writer, teacher, administrator, and arts advocate who created much of his work in Portland, Oregon. He was born on May 18, 1929 in Englewood, New Jersey and died on October 24, 2014 in Portland, Oregon from complications from Alzheimer's. He was the only child of Harry and Julia Morante Widman. While growing up in Cliffside Park, New Jersey, Widman had a slight view of the New York City skyline from his bedroom window. His exposure to the culture and art scene of New York City greatly influenced his life and work.

Widman received his Bachelor of Fine Arts from Syracuse University in 1951. After graduation he was drafted into the United States Army and stationed in Germany. During his time in the military, Widman visited museums and art exhibitions that included art and artifacts based in historical contexts which peaked his interests in paleontology, archaeology, classical mythology, and non-Western cultures. These interests became prominent sources of inspiration and recurrent themes in his work.

In 1954 Widman enrolled in the Master of Fine Arts (MFA) program at the University of Oregon and studied under influential artists Jack Wilkinson and David McCosh. Widman earned his MFA degree in 1956. He then moved to central Oregon and taught Extension Division courses in Coos Bay, Port Orford, Roseburg, and Grants Pass. In 1960 Widman was offered a temporary position at the Museum Art School (currently known as the Pacific Northwest College of Art) in Portland, Oregon. In 1961 he moved to Portland when his teaching position became permanent.

During his 36 year tenure at the Pacific Northwest College of Art (PNCA), Widman was an influential teacher and administrator. He was an active leader in the Faculty Council and helped create the Alumni and Friends Association. He also served as acting dean of the school from 1978 to 1981. While performing multiple administrative duties at the school, Widman played active roles during the transition from the Museum Art School to the Pacific Northwest College of Art and the separation of PNCA from the Portland Museum of Art. Widman retired from teaching in 1996.

Throughout his career, Widman served on multiple boards and committees to advocate for the arts community in Oregon. He helped establish the Oregon Arts Commission from 1965-1968. He was a member of the original Portland Art Commission from 1968 through 1971 and a chair of the commission from 1970 to 1971. He served on the selection committee for "% for Art" for the Justice Services Building in Portland, Oregon, and the Portland Metropolitan Art Commission. He participated as a guest artist and lecturer for several universities and organizations including Portland State University, the Oregon Historical Society, the Cincinnati Academy of Art, and Colgate University. Widman also wrote art exhibition reviews for The Oregonian newspaper.

In addition to his successful careers as a teacher and administrator, Widman maintained a robust art career with nearly 100 exhibitions between 1950 and 2014. Widman often used collage as a way to layer and blend images, shapes, and ideas in order to develop large scale paintings. He collected images from magazines and other printed material that depicted human bodies, indigenous and cultural art and fashion, and various color schemes to use as inspiration for his work. Widman also created the idea of The Magician, The Navigator, and The Oracle: abstract images that represent identities and express purpose and emotions. These abstract images appear in many pieces of his art. His works have been featured in individual and group exhibitions throughout the Pacific Northwest including the Hallie Ford Museum of Art at Willamette University in Salem, Oregon; Blackfish Gallery in Portland, Oregon; Butters Gallery in Portland, Oregon; Wentz Gallery at the Pacific Northwest College of Art in Portland, Oregon; the Fountain Gallery in Portland, Oregon; and the Littman Gallery at Portland State University. Widman also co-exhibited with his wife, artist Mardy Widman, at the Golden Gallery in Beaverton, Oregon, in 2013.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The Harry Widman papers include materials that document Widman's careers as an artist, professor, administrator, and arts advocate from 1937-2015. Series I (Art career) contains gallery exhibition fliers, correspondence, resumes, artist statements, original art and sketches, art and exhibition fliers by other artists, newspaper clippings about exhibitions, interview audio (on cassette tapes) and transcriptions, and meeting minutes and correspondence from boards and committees. Series II (Teaching career) includes notebooks and class notes from Widman's time as a student at Syracuse University, correspondence and meeting minutes from the Museum Art School Faculty Council and Board of Governors, lecture notes and articles used for teaching, and pamphlets for art workshops for the Oregon School of Art and Craft. Series III (Sketchbooks) contains childhood sketchbooks by Widman as well as books of drawings from throughout his life. Series IV (Journals and personal writing) contains musings, book lists, and poetry by Widman. Series V (Correspondence) contains letters to Widman from his family, correspondence with gallery representatives about exhibitions, and letters and cards from friends. Series VI (Slides and photographs) includes slides of Widman's art, photographs of Widman and his art from exhibitions, and photographs from his time in the military. Series VII (Family records) includes a marriage announcement for Widman's parents from 1927, a scrapbook about the Dodgers created by Widman as a child, family photographs, newspaper clippings and publicity for his children's accomplishments, and memorial service documents for Widman. Series VIII (Books) contains various books that were important to Widman and represent his extensive personal reading list.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

Library acts as "fair use" reproduction agent.

For further information, see the section on copyright in the Regulations and Procedures of the Willamette University Archives and Special Collections.

Copyright Information: Before material from collections at Willamette University Archives and Special Collections may be quoted in print, or otherwise reproduced, in whole or in part, in any publication, permission must be obtained from (1) the owner of the physical property, and (2) the holder of the copyright. It is the particular responsibility of the researcher to obtain both sets of permission. Persons wishing to quote from materials in any collections held by University Archives and Special Collections should consult the University Archivist. Reproduction of any item must contain a complete citation to the original.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Harry Widman papers, Archives and Special Collections, Mark O. Hatfield Library, Willamette University.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

The records are arranged into eight series: I. Art career, II. Teaching career, III. Sketchbooks, IV. Journals and personal writing, V. Correspondence, VI. Slides and photographs, VII. Family records, and VIII. Books. Series I includes five subseries: A. Galleries and exhibitions, B. Portfolios and resumes, C. Art, D. Publicity, and E. Boards and commissions. Series II includes four subseries: A. Education, B. Pacific Northwest College of Art (Museum Art School), C. Teaching materials, and D. Workshops. Files are arranged in original order and in chronological order.

Location of Collection

Mark O. Hatfield Library

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Series I:  Art Career, 1922-2015Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Subseries A: Galleries and exhibitions
1950-2015
Box Folder
1 1
Artist Catalogues and "Farewell My Lovelies"
circa 1950-1998
1 2
Materials for Roger Hull (newspaper clippings, correspondence, and exhibition fliers)
circa 1956-1975
1 3
Art exhibitions and publicity (newspaper clippings)
circa 1959-1974
1 4
Exhibition fliers
1960-1997
1 5
Exhibition fliers
circa 1960-2013
1 6
Exhibition announcements
circa 1971-1995
1 7
Butters Gallery exhibitions (materials and photograph slides for shows)
circa 1971-1998
1 8
Fountain Gallery of Art (correspondence and exhibition materials)
circa 1972-1986
1 9
Work shown at Fountain Gallery
1972-1986
1 10
Fountain Gallery: rentals, sales, and correspondence
circa 1975-1976
1 11
The Fountain Gallery consignment agreements and news articles
circa 1975-1983
1 12
The Fountain Gallery of Art
1975-1986
1 13
Names (contacts) and art sales (Fountain Gallery)
circa 1985-2005
1 14
Last show at the Fountain Gallery (list of art)
1986 May - June
1 15
Works for gallery exhibitions
1972-1989
1 16
Washington State Arts Commission
1975-1977
1 17
Washington State Arts Commission
1978
1 18
Art gallery correspondence, fliers, and news articles (Seattle Art Museum, Foster/White Gallery, and The Fountain Gallery)
1975-1980
1 19
Art work and slide inventories
1976-2008
1 20
Art newsletters
1978-1993
1 21
Shows - history: art events
1978-2006
1 22
Art competitions and grants
circa 1980-1983
1 23
Oregon legislation for the arts
1981
1 24
New York trip (personal notes, correspondence, and exhibition cards)
1981 May
1 25
New York trip (personal notes, correspondence, and exhibition cards)
1981 May
1 26
Art (events/sales)
circa 1986-2010
1 27
"Paintings of the American Scene: WPA in Oregon" show
1987 August - September
1 28
"Contributing Artist: the Oregon Art Community: 1839-1989" (includes correspondence)
circa 1989-1994
1 29
Salem show (Salem Art Association)
circa 1990-1991
1 30
Photographs, news articles, and resumes for exhibitions
circa 1995-2006
1 31
Exhibition catalogues and cards from New York trip
1997
1 32
Art loans and rental sales
circa 1985-2007
1 33
Art rental sales
circa 1998-2006
1 34
Donations and Deeds of Gift to Willamette University Hallie Ford Museum of Art and Portland Art Museum
1999-2001
1 35
Names (contacts)
circa 2000-2005
1 36
Art newsletters
circa 2003-2009
2 1
Blackfish Gallery: exhibitions, meeting minutes, correspondence, and membership materials
circa 1998-2005
2 2
Blackfish Gallery: exhibitions, meeting minutes, correspondence, and membership materials
circa 2001-2008
2 3
Blackfish Gallery: meeting minutes and members list
2004-2005
2 4
Blackfish show - Readers Theatre
2005
2 5
Blackfish show (photographs of the exhibition, notes by Widman, newspaper articles, resumes, and student responses to the show)
2006
2 6
1st Thursdays: Portland Gallery exhibitions (includes photographs of Widman and his art)
circa 2002 June - 2004 April
2 7
Labor Arts Forum Symposium (Portland Art Museum)
2003-2004
2 8
Oregon Cultural Heritage Commission exhibitions
2004-2005
2 9
"Greed War Deception" show at Blackfish Gallery (publicity articles and show preparation materials)
circa 2002-2004
2 10
Writings, notes, and plans for "Greed War Deception" show at Blackfish Gallery
circa 2004
2 11
Greed - Deception writings ("Greed War Deception" show at Blackfish Gallery)
circa 2004
2 12
The GW Bush (George W. Bush) days: "Greed War Deception" show
circa 2004
2 13
"Greed War Deception" exhibition at Blackfish Gallery: notes and articles
circa 2004
2 14
Bush (George W. Bush) (personal writing for "Greed War Deception" exhibition at Blackfish Gallery)
circa 2004
2 15
"Greed War Deception" (typed notes and statements for show)
2004
2 16
"Greed Deception" writings and visuals (information articles and exhibition materials for "Greed War Deception" show)
circa 2004
2 17
Review of "Greed War Deception" and informational articles used for the show
circa 2004
2 18
Cascade AIDS Project: Art for Life
2003-2004
2 19
Fairbanks Gallery exhibition
2005
2 20
Salem Art Association: Bush Gallery exhibition
circa 2006
2 21
Art Beat (correspondence, fliers, and news articles)
2008 January - May
2 22
Hallie Ford (Museum of Art) inventory: loan agreements with prices
2008-2009
2 23
Hallie Ford Museum of Art show "Harry Widman: Image, Myth and Modernism" (correspondence with Roger Hull)
2008 August - 2009 June
2 24
Harry Widman retrospective exhibition at the Hallie Ford Museum of Art
2008-2014
2 25
Certificate of Appraisal by the Sovereign Collection (art appraisal)
2010
2 26
Exhibition book for show at Sovereign Fine Art
circa 2013-2015
2 27
Contact list for Harry Widman
undated
2 28
Exhibition guest book
undated
2 29
Art exhibitions fliers and catalogues for other artists (includes Louis Bunce, Lucinda Parker, Clifford Gleason, and William Givler)
1977-2000
2 30
Art exhibitions fliers and catalogues for other artists (includes Denzil Hurley and Charles E. Heaney)
circa 1977-2008
2 31
"Arshile Gorky, 1904 - 1948: a Retrospective" - lists of works in the exhibition
1981
2 32
Duane Zaloudek (artist)
1992-1993
2 33
Rebecca Campbell - poems and exhibitions
circa 2002-2005
Subseries B: Portfolios and resumes
1972-2006
Box Folder
2 34
Artist statements and resumes
circa 1972-2006
2 35
Resumes and photocopies of art
circa 1974-2006
2 36
Resume for the Fountain Gallery of Art (includes slides)
circa 1986
2 37
Artist statements and resumes
circa 1992-2004
2 38
Resume and statement: Blackfish show
2006
2 39
Resume materials
2006
2 40
Historic resume (various resumes for Harry Widman)
undated
2 41
The Public Art Program: Archives of Northwest Art - Henry Gallery
1975
2 42
Fellowship and stipend applications
circa 1975-1976
2 43
Oregon Arts Commission fellowship application and correspondence
1980
2 44
Flintridge Foundation Visual Artists Award application materials
circa 1994-1998
2 45
Artist statement and application for the Flintridge Foundation
2001
Subseries C: Art
circa 1953-2008
Box item
10 2
Scrapbook (early childhood sketches by Widman)
circa 1938-1941
Folder
8 1
Sketches by Widman
circa 1953-1998
11 1
Portrait by Widman
1963
11 2
Self-portrait
1963
2 46
Blackfish Gallery: images for possible use (art, sketches, writing, and exhibition pamphlets)
circa 1965-2002
2 47
Sketches with notes
circa 1980-1989
8 2
Venus project and reference for 2000-2003 the Skulls, the Caves (images, articles, and sketches)
circa 1982-2005
2 48
Sketches
undated
8 3
Images - drawings for use (includes notes)
circa 1990-1995
3 1
Photocopies of art by Widman
circa 1991-1993
3 2
Visuals - HW (Harry Widman) (photographs of Widman and his art)
circa 1991-1995
3 3
Portraits by Widman
undated
3 4
Images to use for art
undated
3 5
Images used for art
undated
3 6
Images (includes leaf art)
undated
3 7
Original art (ink - color)
undated
3 8
Original art
undated
3 9
Original art (black watercolors)
undated
3 10
Original art (various styles)
undated
3 11
Stencils
undated
3 12
"Swimmers"
undated
3 13
Copies: skulls (photocopies)
undated
3 14
Copies: skulls (photocopies)
undated
3 15
Art supplies receipts
2007-2008
3 16
Copy of Equivalents: Portraits of 80 Oregon Artists by George Johanson
circa 2001
3 17
The David Levine Album (art by David Levine)
circa 1965
3 18
The South Park Blocks' Public Art walking tour brochure
undated
8 4
Sketches and stencil work
undated
item
23 1
Spoon art
Piece from one of Widman's last collages.
undated
Subseries D: Publicity
1960-2011
Box Folder
3 19
Art exhibitions: publicity
circa 1960-1983
3 20
Miscellaneous newspaper articles
1967-2007
3 21
News articles (photocopies) and photocopies of art
circa 1974-2002
3 22
Art newsletters
1980-2008
3 23
News articles and photographs of exhibitions
circa 1995-2004
3 24
Newspaper articles about Widman, local art, and topics of interest to Widman
circa 1995-2006
3 25
Newspaper clippings and articles for shows
1995-2008
3 26
Photocopies of pages from Oregon Painters: the First Hundred Years (1859-1959)
circa 1999
3 27
Interview (Shotola/Munro) (interview of Harry Widman by Robert Shotola and Sarah Munro) (includes older photographs of Widman)
2003
3 28
Draft of transcription of interview with Harry Widman by Robert Shotola and Sarah Munro
2004 January 30
3 29
Transcription of interview of Harry Widman by Sarah Munro
2007
item
21 1
The Oregon Historical Society: Harry Widman (interview) by Sarah Munro
16 cassette tapes.
2003 May 15 - September 24
Folder
3 30
Roger Hull (book materials)
circa 2006-2011
3 31
Originals - scanned for Myth and Modernism (photographs and newspaper clippings used for book by Roger Hull Harry Widman: Image, Myth and Modernism)
circa 2008-2009
item
21 3
Charles Heaney (cassette tapes)
Three cassette tapes.
1981 August 2-8
Subseries E: Boards and committees
1965-2005
Box Folder
3 32
Creation of the Oregon Arts Commission (documents for the Governor's Planning Council for the Arts and Humanities)
1965 April - 1968 June
3 33
Portland Committee of Independent Artists: artist proposal to museum and bill establishing the State Arts Commission
circa 1966
3 34
Arts Bill and the National Endowments for the Arts and Humanities
circa 1966
3 35
Portland Art Commission meeting minutes
1967 June 21 - 1968 March 19
3 36
Portland Art Commission: commission for art for the Portland Civic Auditorium
1968 June - July
3 37
Portland Art Commission meeting minutes
1970 July 8 - 1972 September 22
3 38
Lila Colwell, Inc.: art work loan suggestions (and noted by Widman)
circa 1968
3 39
Oregon State Arts Commission grant (correspondence and notes)
1968
3 40
Arts in Oregon council
1975
3 41
Portland Art Museum exhibitions committee (correspondence with the Portland Art Association)
1977 March 15
3 42
Governor's Awards for the Arts (program)
1979 January 29
3 43
NASA annual meeting
1980
3 44
Art Quake board member materials
1980-1981
3 45
Metropolitan Arts Commission: Justice Center Public Art Selection Committee
circa 1980-1981
8 5
Metropolitan Arts Commission: Justice Center Public Art Selection Committee
1980 November - 1982 July
8 6
Metropolitan Arts Commission: Justice Center Public Art Selection Committee
1980 December - 1984 April
3 46
Metropolitan Arts Commission: Justice Center Public Art Selection Committee
1981 September - 1985 July
3 47
Artist Equity Association
1981-1982
3 48
College Advisory Committee
1981 September - 1982 February
3 49
Oregon Art Institute: "Art Exchange: Four Conversations"
1986 October 2
3 50
Oregon College of Art and Craft: promotion committee
circa 1999-2000
8 7
Oregon College of Art and Craft: executive director search committee
2000
3 51
Blackfish Gallery bylaws, duties of gallery director, and board retreat materials
circa 2003-2005

Series II:  Teaching career, 1947-2009Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Subseries A: Education
1947-1951
Box Folder
4 1
The Mnemosyne (high school senior yearbook)
1947
4 2
Philosophy notes - Dr. Williams: Syracuse University (notes taken by Widman)
1948-1949
4 3
Journal/class notebook: History of Fine Arts at Syracuse University
1948-1949
4 4
Thesis for Syracuse University
1951
4 5
Diploma from Syracuse University
1951
Subseries B: Pacific Northwest College of Art (Museum Art School)
1961-2009
Box Folder
4 6
Museum Art School catalogs
1961-1979
4 7
Museum Art School Faculty Council
1971-1974
4 8
Museum Art School (Pacific Northwest College of Art) reports, school advisory committee minutes, and correspondence)
1971-1981
4 9
Museum Art School thesis schedules and class notes
circa 1971-1975
4 10
School history: long - range planning and historical data (Museum Art School)
1974-1975
4 11
Museum Art School Alumni and Friends correspondence
1976-1983
4 12
Museum Art School materials (Anne B. Crocker program pamphlet and class schedule)
circa 1980-1981
4 13
Faculty Handbook (partial) and staff position notice for the Museum Art School
undated
4 14
Poster: Museum Art School
undated
4 15
Pacific Northwest College of Art (correspondence, notes, and proposals)
circa 1977-1984
4 16
Transition from Museum Art School to Pacific Northwest College of Art
circa 1978-1980
4 17
Portland State University Multidisciplinary Center for Gerontology research assistance award
1979
4 18
Dean days: correspondence and the Stephen Ostrow episode (selection process for new Director of the Portland Art Museum/Museum Art School)
1979-1980
4 19
The 1982 to 1983 PAA (Portland Art Association) fiasco (issues with Executive Director Stephen Ostrow)
1981-1983
4 20
Pacific Northwest College of Art faculty materials and teaching materials
circa 1983-1993
4 21
Transition from Museum Art School to Pacific Northwest College of Art: Board of Governors
1992-1993
4 22
Pacific Northwest College of Art Board of Governors
1992-1993
4 23
Separation of the Pacific Northwest College of Art from Portland Art Museum
1994 July
4 24
Pacific Northwest College of Art faculty retreat
1995 October 28
4 25
Retirement celebration invitations
1995
4 26
Correspondence for the Harry Widman Scholarship (Pacific Northwest College of Art)
1996 March 18
4 27
Letters to alumni and graduation address for the Pacific Northwest College of Art
circa 1996
4 28
Graduation talk (Pacific Northwest College of Art)
1996
4 29
Student thesis
1996
4 30
Student proposals (class work)
undated
4 31
Sally Lawrence: nomination for the Governor's Arts Awards (recommendation by Widman)
1998-1999
4 32
Pacific Northwest College of Art pamphlets
2005-2007
4 33
Pacific Northwest College of Art: 100 Years of Art and Design
2009
Subseries C: Teaching materials
1973-2009
Box Folder
4 34
Workbook "Making Confrontations for Yourself"
1973
4 35
Color, visual elements, teaching materials
circa 1973
4 36
Articles for teaching
circa 1973
4 37
Curriculum 1st (first) year
circa 1973-1974
4 38
Clackamas Community College course
1974 Spring
4 39
Lecture notes, quiz questions, and receipts for books
circa 1974
4 40
Articles (for teaching)
circa 1978-2009
4 41
Clatsop Community College (teaching course and art exhibition)
1995
4 42
Notes for art lectures (guest speaker)
undated
4 43
Copy of book American Expressionism: Art and Social Change 1920-1950 and article about Bram Dijkstra
circa 2003
4 44
Copy of book Oregon: End of the Trail (partial copy)
undated
item
21 2
Speaking of Art lecture - cassette tape
One cassette tape.
1989 October 4
Subseries D: Workshops
1974-2005
Box Folder
4 45
Correspondence and documents for University of Oregon workshop in Medford
1974
4 46
Oregon College of Art and Craft workshops
2005 March - July
4 47
Watercolor workshop and teaching materials
circa 2005
8 8
Watercolor workshop materials
circa 2005

Series III:  Sketchbooks, circa 1950-2014Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
4 48
Sketchbook of early ideas: Widman's "Paul Klee" sketchbook
circa 1950-1969
4 49
Sketchbook of studies for the illustration program at PNCA (Pacific Northwest College of Art)
undated
4 50
Book of Patterns, H. Widman
undated
4 51
Sketchbook (includes sketches of Widman's childhood home)
undated
4 52
Sketchbook (with notes)
undated
4 53
Sketchbook (pencil)
undated

Series IV:  Journals and personal writing, 1949-2014Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
5 1
Journal: Book List
circa 1949-1992
5 2
Fri Poetry (poetry journal)
circa 1950-1959
5 3
Journal (includes sketches)
circa 1953
5 4
Journal: The First Book (also includes artist statement)
1959 October 27 - 1969 April 24
5 5
Journal: "The 1st (First) Book," ideas, and sketches
circa 1964
5 6
Journal: the 1st (first) book (journal plus later observations)
1964 February 1 - 1995 December 22
5 7
Journal: The Third Book
1983 August 12 - 1996 June 13
5 8
Journal: History - NYC (New York City) - sabbatical
1989
5 9
Journal: "Studio 1989"
1989 September 12 - 1991 September 17
5 10
Journals (New York City, lectures, and ideas)
1991 May - 1992 June
5 11
Journals (ideas)
1992 July - 1994 October
5 12
Journals
1994 October - 1997 March
5 13
Journal
1996 June 18 - 1997 September 20
5 14
Journal: trip to N.Y. (New York)
1997-1998
5 15
Journal
1997 September 22 - 1998 October 29
5 16
Journal
1998 November 2 - 1999 October 26
5 17
Journal
1999 October 27 - 2000 October 24
5 18
Journal: Studio
2000 October - 2003 October
5 19
Journals (ideas and sketches)
circa 2002-2003
5 20
Journal
2004-2008
5 21
Journal
circa 2007
5 22
Journal
undated
5 23
Journal: "Harry Hist. (History)"
undated
5 24
Journal entry about Jackson Pollock
undated
6 1
Very early writings
circa 1950-1959
6 2
Very early writings
circa 1950-1959
6 3
Sample of written influence (poetry copied by Widman)
circa 1955-1965
6 4
Harry on art education and teaching notes
circa 1970
6 5
Writings and sketches
circa 1970-1979
6 6
Writings and sketches (including The Magician)
circa 1970-1979
6 7
Daily calendar
1977 May 15 - December 31
6 8
Writings and correspondence
circa 1977-2013
6 9
Personal writing about art, exhibitions, and activities
circa 1983-1987
6 10
Memorials for Bill Givler (William Givler), Hallie E. Ford, and Louie Bunce (Louis Bunce)
circa 1983-2007
6 11
Personal writing and poems
circa 1985-1997
6 12
Notes (writings and class lecture notes)
circa 1992-2003
6 13
Notes off the studio walls
circa 1995-2014
6 14
Journals
circa 1995-2005
6 15
Personal writing
circa 2000-2006
6 16
Writing about politics
circa 2003-2004
6 17
Articles - the George Bush disaster: Paul Krugman, Thomas Friedman, and others
circa 2004-2006
6 18
Review of a Henk Pander show by Harry Widman
2006 July 16
6 19
Writings about art (includes poetry, ideas about style and construction, and the Magician and dog)
undated
6 20
Personal writing and sketches
undated
6 21
Personal writing
undated
6 22
Personal writing (various subjects)
undated
9 1
On-going notes (and) writings
circa 1991-2012
9 2
Personal writings (self-expression, improvement, the Portland art scene, short stories, and poems)
undated
item
11 1
Political writings
Includes three rolled papers.
circa 2004

Series V:  Correspondence, 1984-2008Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
6 28
Correspondence: exhibitions
1962 May 21 - 1982 September 1
6 29
Correspondence: Rental - Sales Gallery
1965 June - 2007 March
6 30
Correspondence: B. J. Gardner
1966 September 14
6 31
Miscellaneous art correspondence
1967 June 9 - 2003 April 14
6 32
Correspondence: City of Portland Oregon Commissioner's office
1970 February 24
6 33
Correspondence: Mary Randlett
1972
6 34
Correspondence from students
circa 1974-1995
6 35
Correspondence and notes for the Oregon Arts Commission Labor and Industries Building competition
1975 August - September
6 36
Correspondence: theses presentations
1975 August 15 - 1986 October 24
6 37
Correspondence for teaching position
1975 November 13 - 1976 May 10
6 38
U.S. Bancorp Employee Gallery show correspondence (judging)
1976 January 9 - February 27
6 39
Miscellaneous correspondence
circa 1976-2007
6 40
Correspondence: exhibitions
1976 July 8 - 2009 May 22
6 41
Exhibition rejections
1977-2001
6 42
Jerry McDowell (rejection of position offer from the Pacific Northwest College of Art)
1978 July 14
6 43
Correspondence: artist - speaker engagements for educational groups
1978-1993
6 44
Personal correspondence
circa 1978-2014
6 45
Correspondence: exhibitions proposals and slide reviews
1980 March 19 - 2001 December 27
6 46
Correspondence: Oregon Arts Commission (exhibition rejections)
1981 May - 1983 May
6 47
Resignation letters
1981-1998
6 48
Exhibition correspondence (Corvallis Arts Center, Littman and White Galleries, and Oregon State University)
circa 1983-1985
6 49
Helen Liu
1985-1989
6 50
Correspondence: seminars and lectures
1980 August 18 - 2005 March 4
6 51
Correspondence: Country Classic
1986 March 13 - 1991 May 9
6 52
Letters of recommendation by Widman
circa 1990-2007
6 53
Peter Held (Holter Museum of Art)
circa 1995-1997
6 54
Art-related correspondence
1996-2007
6 55
Hallie Ford Museum of Art (John Olbrantz)
circa 1997-1998
6 56
Correspondence: Robert Hanson
1999 May - October
7 1
Correspondence: George Johanson
2001 March 18
7 2
Malia Jenson
2003
7 3
Correspondence: Sarah Munro
2004 May 26
7 4
John Stahl
circa 2005
7 5
Correspondence and interview with Patrick Roden concerning ageing and creativity
2006-2007
7 6
Correspondence: Roger Hull
2006 January 26 - 2008 July 6
7 7
Bill Rhoades
2007 October 29 - 2008 February 11
7 8
Blank postcards
undated

Series VI:  Slides and photographs, 1932-2010Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
7 9
Photographs of Widman, his family, and art
circa 1932-1984
11 3
Photographs and negatives of Widman, his family, and his art
circa 1945-1975
7 10
Photographs taken in Germany during Widman's military deployment
circa 1951
7 11
Photographs taken in Germany during Widman's military deployment
circa 1951
7 12
Photocopies of Widman's art (slide images)
circa 1954-1994
7 13
Photos of early work by Widman
circa 1956-1980
7 14
Slides of Widman's art
circa 1957-1991
7 15
Old Widman family photographs
circa 1960-1970
7 16
Harry's - photos of works
1962-1966
7 17
Photographs of exhibitions and artist statements
1962-1971
7 18
Photographs of Harry Widman
circa 1967
item
23 2
Photographs of early wks (works)
Rolled photographs on paper of Widman's art.
1969 October
Folder
7 19
Butters Gallery exhibitions (materials and photograph slides for shows)
circa 1971-1998
7 20
Photographs of Widman and his art
circa 1977-2004
7 21
Photographs of art and Widman
circa 1980
7 22
Photos: Butters (Gallery) and negatives
circa 1980-1992
7 23
Slides of Widman's work
circa 1982-2001
7 24
Photos of works and shows
circa 1985-1989
7 25
Harry: retirement (photographs from Widman's retirement party)
1995 December
7 26
Harry's retirement
1995 December 16
7 27
Blackfish show - color photos (photographs of art)
2002
7 28
Photographs of Widman by Aaron Johanson
2002 July
7 29
Harry Widman and his art
circa 2010
7 30
Photographs of Widman with his art
undated
7 31
Photographs of Harry Widman and his art works
undated
7 32
Color photos of "Male Female," "Pony," "Maudrake," and "Against Grid" (negatives)
undated
7 33
Photograph negatives of "Millenial Rider"
undated
7 34
Photographs of metal, trains, and graffiti
undated
7 35
Photographs of Widman's art
undated
7 36
Black and white photographs of Widman's art
undated
7 37
Photographs of Widman's art
undated
7 38
Negatives and preview sheets of Widman's art
undated
7 39
Photograph negatives of Widman's art
undated
7 40
Photographs of skulls - OMSI (Oregon Museum of Science and Industry)
undated
7 41
Family photographs
undated
11 4
Photographs of Widman and students (photographs of Widman by Robert Shotola)
undated
item
13 1
Slides of Widman's art
undated
14 1
Slides of Widman's art
undated
15 1
Slides of Widman's art
undated
16 1
TGS Sculp (slides of Widman's art)
circa 1962-1979
17 1
Slides of Widman's art
circa 1967-1984
18 1
The Invented Images (slides)
1980-1994
19 1
The Figurative Images (slides)
1988-1995
20 1
Slides of Widman's art
1996-2000
21 4
Multimedia (digital images of Widman's art)
Four CDs of digital images of Widman's art.
circa 2008

Series VII:  Family records, 1927-2015Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
9 3
Widman (Widmann) family photos and history (genealogical documents)
circa 1895-2014
9 4
Legal documents for the sale of Jacobs and Widman business
1959 May
item
10 1
"Two Little Boys" photo album
circa 1929-1938
12 1
"1941 The Dodgers" scrapbook by Widman
circa 1941
Folder
7 42
Marriage announcement for Julia Morante and Harry Widmann (Widman's parents)
1927
7 43
Gabrielle Juliet Widman (daughter) (plays and publicity)
1983-1984
7 44
Michael Widman's award winning news articles
1984 September
7 45
Memorial service eulogy by Lucinda Parker
2014 December 7
7 46
The MemoryCare Plays(program and book)
2014-2015
7 47
Birthday card and calendar sheet from grandchildren
undated
7 48
Books about Harry Widman (The MemoryCare Plays and Harry Widman: Image, Myth and Modernism)
2009-2014
item
22 1
Cassette tapes (Widman's children, lectures, and personal notes)
38 cassette tapes.
undated

Series VIII:  Books, 1955-2004Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box item
24 1
Widman's personal books
Two books with notes by Widman.
1955-2004
25 1
Widman's personal books
Seven books with notes by Widman.
1959-1986

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Art
  • Art--Study and teaching
  • Arts--Northwest, Pacific

Personal Names

  • Givler, William Hubert
  • Heaney, Charles, 1897-1981
  • Hull, Roger
  • Johanson, George, 1928-
  • Munro, Sarah
  • Parker, Lucinda, 1942-
  • Shotola, Robert
  • Widman, Mardelle (Mardy)

Corporate Names

  • Blackfish Gallery (Portland, Or.)
  • Butters Gallery
  • Fairbanks Gallery
  • Fountain Gallery of Art
  • Hallie Ford Museum of Art
  • Metropolitan Arts Commission (Portland, Or.)
  • Oregon Arts Commission
  • Oregon College of Art and Craft
  • Pacific Northwest College of Art
  • Portland Art Association (Portland, Or.). Museum Art School
  • Portland Art Museum (Or.)
  • Salem Art Association (Salem, Or.)

Geographical Names

  • Portland (Or.)
  • Salem (Or.)

Form or Genre Terms

  • Photographs
  • Scrapbooks
  • clippings (information artifacts)
  • color negatives
  • correspondence
  • fliers (printed matter)
  • journals (periodicals)
  • sketchbooks

Functions

  • color slides