Bob and Gennie DeWeese papers

Bob and Gennie DeWeese papers, 1929-2007

Overview of the Collection

Creator: DeWeese, Robert, 1920-1990; DeWeese, Gennie, 1921-2007
Title: Bob and Gennie DeWeese papers
Dates: 1929-2007 (inclusive)
19292007
Quantity: 27.6 linear feet, (64 boxes)
Collection Number: 2640
Summary: Personal files and artwork of Bob and Gennie DeWeese, two Bozeman-based artists and teachers who helped to build Montana's modernist art scene.
Repository: Montana State University Library, Merrill G. Burlingame Special Collections
Montana State University-Bozeman Library
Merrill G Burlingame Special Collections
P.O. Box 173320
Bozeman, MT
59717-3320
Telephone: 4069944242
Fax: 4069942851
Access Restrictions: Collection is open for research
Languages: English

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

Robert (Bob) and Genevieve (Gennie) DeWeese were pioneers in the modernist movement in the state of Montana. Primarily painters and printmakers, both artists influenced a generation of students through their teaching and involvement with the Montana arts community. Bob was Professor of Art at Montana State University from 1949 to 1977. Prior to that, he taught classes at Texas Tech University and Ohio State University. He earned his B.S. from Ohio State University and his M.F.A. from University of Iowa in 1948. In 1946 he married Gennie, who was a fellow art student at Ohio State.

They had five children together: Cathie, Jan, Gretchen, Tina and Josh. According to Tina, "Art was certainly their common ground, but family is what held them together." Both were also committed to "equal studio time"; Tina has observed that "Gennie was a feminist before the word was known."

Both Bob and Gennie exhibited extensively throughout the state and major retrospectives of their works were presented at the Montana State University School of Art (1979) and the Yellowstone Art Center (1991) for Bob, and at the Missoula Art Museum (1996) for Gennie. In 1995 Bob and Gennie received the Montana Governor's Award for the Arts. That same year, Gennie was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts from Montana State University in Bozeman.

Bob and Gennie were a hub for a very lively community of intellectual, modernist thinkers and artists of their generation, mostly a cross section of university faculty. They loved to stay in touch with what people were thinking about and what was new in their respective fields through hosting parties which provided them with lifetime friends. Bob DeWeese passed away in 1990, and Gennie in 2007. The DeWeese children continue to honor their parents' life work.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The collection focuses on the professional work and personal lives of both Bob and Gennie DeWeese, including sketches of commissioned artwork (murals for Bob, book illustrations for Gennie). It has examples of art done by both, such as illustrations done by Gennie DeWeese for the book Hamlet's Planets, items related to the Bob and Gennie DeWeese Gallery, and exhibitions such as Robert DeWeese, a Retrospective. A subseries of sketchbooks documents Bob's ways of interacting with the world, and especially his service in World War II.

Also within the collection is correspondence with other Montana artists such as Jerry Rankin, Jessie Wilber and Frances Senska, reflecting the DeWeese's extensive social and professional network with creatives of significane in twentieth century Montana.

The collection also has a large variety of exhibit catalogs and flyers for the Yellowstone Art Museum and the Missoula Art Museum, among others. In addition to examples of his artwork, the collection also has items from Bob DeWeese's career as an art professor at Montana State College (now Montana State University).

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Preferred Citation

[Name of document or photograph], [Year if available], [Collection title], Box [Box number], Folder [Folder number], Merrill G. Burlingame Special Collections.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

Divided into the following series: 1. Bob DeWeese-Biographical Files, 2. Bob DeWeese--Working Files, 3. Bob DeWeese--Correspondence, 4. Gennie DeWeese--Biographical Files, 5. Gennie DeWeese--Working Files, 6. Gennie and Bob DeWeese Gallery, and 7. DeWeese Web Archive

Acquisition Information

Gift of Tina DeWeese on behalf of the DeWeese Family, 2018, 2019, and 2024.

Custodial History

Prior to its donation to MSU, the collection was held by the DeWeese Family, specifically Tina DeWeese, who performed curatorial work on it including identifications and dates.

Processing Note

This collection was processed from 2019-2020. Tina DeWeese provided assistance with identification. An inventory was made of the collection, and this was used as the basis for creating the listed series. All items were reboxed into acid-free containers and sorted into the series. While some items were also refoldered, the bulk of the collection was left in its original folders.

In 2023, the collection was rehoused to provide easier access. Some folder titles have been edited for clarity, and loose items that were not in folders were given titles by the archivist. Materials were condensed within boxes to make better use of space, but they have been retained in their original order. Where possible, titles assigned to folders by Bob and Gennie DeWeese have been retained.

In 2024-2025, Bob's sketchbooks and sketches were added as a subseries. Tina DeWeese assisted with identifying and dating this material.

Separated Materials

The first donation included a box of materials about Gennie DeWeese collected by Terry Karson, which was separated into its own collection.

A pair of Gennie DeWeese's Birkenstock sandals included in the collection were not retained.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

1: Bob DeWeese biographical files, 1946-1990Return to Top

4 linear feet

This series includes correspondence, teaching materials, notes and student papers. Series one is divided among 2 sub-series, personal and education/teaching.

Arranged chronologically.

Container(s)		Description	Dates
		1: Personal 0.4 linear feet Personal papers and items of Bob DeWeese such as his resume and Army papers. Arranged chronologically.	1946-1990
Box	Folder
1	1	Army papers	1946-1972
1	2	Birth certificate copy	1975
1	3	Handwritten resume	1979
1	4	Healthcare notes and questionnaire	1976
1	5	Identification cards	1971-1976
1	6	Job searches	1948-1949
1	7	Lona E. DeWeese estate	1981
1	8	Passport	1975
1	9	Pocket address book
1	10	Provisional Special Certificate	1942
1	11-12	Veterans Administration papers	1946-1947
1	13	Bob's Memorial	1990
		2: Educational and Teaching 3.5 linear feet Two types of papers are represented in this subseries: Papers related to Bob DeWeese's time as a student, and papers related to his tenure as a professor at Montana State Collage, including lesson plans, student work, and administration records.	1946-1977
Box	Folder
1	14	Italian Renaissance class notes	1946-1947
1	15	Italian Renaissance class notes	1946-1947
1	16	Italian Renaissance class notes and reports	1946-1947
1	17	Oriental Art class notes and reports	1946-1947
1	18	Oriental Art class notes and reports	1946-1947
1	19	Oriental Art class notes and reports	1946-1947
1	20	Oriental Art class notes and reports	1946-1947
2	1	Exhibition catalogs	1946-1947
2	2	20th Century Art class report	1946-1948
2	3	Class notes	1946-1948
2	4	Class notes	1946-1948
2	5	Esthetic-Modern-Medieval notes	1946-1948
2	6	Exams	1946-1948
2	7	Northern Renaissance class notes	1946-1948
2	8	Northern Renaissance class notes and reports	1946-1948
2	9	Northern Renaissance class notes and reports	1946-1948
2	10	Shakespeare's Comedies class notes	1946-1948
2	11	Program for Master's Degree	January 21, 1947
2	12	Medieval Art/Northern Renaissance class notes	1948
3	1	Thesis	1948
3	2	Thesis	1948
3	3	Class report
3	4	Ohio State University notebook	1948
3	5	Texas Tech University class and scheduling records	1948
3	6	Texas Tech University ceramics notebook	1948-1949
3	7	Montana State College contracts	1949-1964
3	8	Art 225, Life Drawing	1950
3	9	Supply lists	1952-1966
3	10	Notes	1953
3	11	Notes, Life Drawing	1954
3	12	Student art exhibition catalogs	1956-1971
3	13	The Word	1957 Spring
3	14	Notes, Drawing	1957
3	15	Notes, Art 119 - Drawing	1958
3	16	Notes, Watercolor	1959
3	17	Notes, Art 119	1959
3	18	Notes, Art 119 - Drawing	1958
3	19	Notes, Art Appreciation	1959
4	1	Prospect	1959
4	2	Notes, Art Appreciation	1960
4	3	School of Architecture sketching program	1960
4	4	Teaching materials	1960
4	5	Notes, Watercolor	1961
4	6	Notes	1962
4	7	College of Graduate Studies	1963
4	8	Faculty documents	1963
4	9	Individual annual report	1964
4	10	Life Anatomy	1964
4	11	Life Anatomy	1964
4	12	Retirement contributions	1964
4	13	19th Century Impressionism	January 1965
4	14	Montana State University contracts	1965
4	15	"Contemporary Art 321 - Samples of tests, papers, journals"	1966
5	1	"Contemporary Art 321 - Samples of tests, papers, journals"	1966
5	2	Art 321 - Contemporary Art	1966
5	3	"Contemporary Art 321-Sherman's Cézanne"	1966
5	4	"Department"	1966
5	5	Cézanne and Visual Form teaching materials	1966
5	6	Cézanne and Visual Form teaching materials	1966
5	7	Cézanne and Visual Form teaching materials	1966
5	8	Hoyt L. Sherman correspondence	1966
5	9	Student journals	1966
5	10	"Department politics"	1966
5	11	Art 321 final exams	1967 March 17
6	1	Guest artists	1967-1968
6	2	Graduate faculty materials	1970-1974
6	3	Student papers	1970
6	4	Notes, Art 111	1971
6	5	Notes, Art 111	1974
6	6	MSU School of Art Faculty Exhibition catalogs	1974
6	7	Notes, Art 114	1975
6	8	Notes, Art 111	1975
6	9	Preliminary class rolls	1975-1977
6	10	Notes, Art 111	1976
6	11	Notes, Art 114
6	12	Notes, Art 205 - Painting
6	13	Notes, Art 218
6	14	Notes, Art 118 - Drawing
6	15	Notes, Drawing
6	16	Notes, Oil Painting, Freshman Drawing, and Water Color Painting
6	17	Notes
6	18	"Prints School"
6	19	Readings, "Gassett Mimes Wisdom"
6	20	Readings, "General Art Mimes Wisdom"
7	1	Readings, "Intaglio Mimes Wisdom"
7	2	Student journal
7	3	Student journals
7	4	Syllabus drafts
7	5	Mary Lou, Michael-Bob Shimabukuro Letters
7	6	Quotations-Notes-Ideas"	1951-1960
7	7	Painting, Drawing, and Art Appreciation
7	8	Perspective	1961
7	9	Resumes
	item
30	2	Dog tags
30	3	Paintbrushes
30	4	Robert DeWeese Studio stamp
30	5	Piccolo
30	6	Belt
box-os	Folder
8	11	Painted letter to P.D. Skaar (on woodblock)
8	1	Montana State University Professor Emeritus certificate
Box
9	1	Montana State University Professor Emeritus resolution	1977

2: Bob DeWeese working filesReturn to Top

13 linear feet

Series 2 contains art projects and materials, notes, newspaper clippings, correspondence and photographs.

This series is divided between four subseries: projects, exhibitions, filing cabinets and documentary ephemera.

Container(s)		Description	Dates
		1: Projects 2.9 linear feet Includes material related to workshops, murals, graphic projects) Arranged by project.
Box	Folder
9	2	Examples of Work	1940-1948
9	3	Buckley Field Program Designs	1943-1944
9	4	Winter Fair Barns	1977
9	5	Winter Fair Proposal for Mural-Photos, Bozeman Public Library	1978-1982
9	6	Winter Fair Mural Documents: Drawings, Photos
9	7	Bank Mural Preliminary Sketches
9	8	Bank Mural	1960, 1989
9	9	Quake Lake Mural	1966
9	10	Collage Scraps/Xerox
9	11	Proposed Murals and photos-Mural and Architecture proposals
10	1	Montana Cultural Congress newsletters	1990
10	2-5	Cadenza, Montana Music Educators Association magazine	1962-1967
10	6	DeWeese Children's Papers and Drawings	1963-1964
10	7	Rimer, Rhode Island Music Educators Association magazine	1962
10	8	Richard Hugo Poem
10	9-11	John Buck and Deborah Butterfield - "John and Debbie"
11	1	Buck Butterfield-Clippings, brochures, photos
11	2-3	Jessie Wilber and Frances Senska: Correspondence, newspaper clippings, postcards	1952-2006
11	4-6	Personal letters to and from other artists Much of the correspondence is from Lou Penfield.	1944-1990
12	1	Les Barret Drawings and Photographs	1945
12	2	Jerry Rankin	1996
12	3-4	James Reineking - Correspondence, art brochures, photos	1969-2000
12	5	David Dunlap	1985
12	6	Ben Tone, Hamada, Leach	1982-2005
12	7	Neil Parsons	1964-1988
12	8	Bill Stockton, "Today I Baled Some Hay to Feed the Sheep the Coyotes Eat" manuscript
12	9-10	Bill Stockton	1971-2007
13	1	Art - Cadenza	1947-1967
13	2	Cadenza	1962-1967
13	3	Newspaper clippings, sketch of dog, and art gallery letter	1960-1964
13	4	Art Sketches and Studies	1942-1952
13	5	George Conky Sculpture Questionnaire	1961-1966
13	6	School of Art	1971-1974
13	7	Chicago Art Institute Class Trip, notes	1972-1976
13	8	Hospital Memorial Memorabilia	1990
13	9	Notes from Friends and Gallery Flyers	1956-1986
13	10	"De Kooning Problem" Lecture Slides	1977 January
13	11	Collected Art from Magazines and Print
13	12	Letter from Dirk Lee to Gennie DeWeese	1991
13	13	Catalog of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago	1971
14	1	Writing, Teaching notes, Shows, etc.	1972-1985
14	2-4	Order Books - Auction Sales
		2: Exhibitions 3.3 linear feet Includes art lists and prices, notes and correspondence with galleries, gallery announcements
Box	Folder
14	5	Notes - "Our Abode Almost a House We (Almost) Built in Texas Before Jessie Called from Bozeman"	1949
14	6	Notes and Correspondence - Includes poem "Memories of a DeWeese Proof" by John D. Flemming	1972-1990
14	7	Notes and To-Do Lists
14	8	Notebook - Art Inventory
14	9	Bob DeWeese Auction - Photos	1992
15	1	Bob DeWeese Auction - Item list and sales	1992
15	2	Bob DeWeese Retrospective	1991-1993
	vhs
55	1	Robert DeWeese Exhibition	1991 August 30
	Folder
15	3	Rabbit Book Baltimore (photo album)	1987
15	4	Old Trailer Inventory Notebook
15	5	Postcards and exhibition memorabilia	1985-1986
15	6	Notebook - "Slides (Tina)"
15	7	Bob DeWeese Appraisal reports	1998, 2001
16	1-2	Bob DeWeese Appraisal reports	1998, 2001
16	3	YOKOI: "The Legacy of Robert DeWeese"	1991 Winter
16	4	Bob DeWeese Appraisals	1995-1998
	floppy-disk
55	1	DeWeese Appraisals by Dennis Kern
	Folder
16	5	Fine Art Appraisals (Draft)	1997-1998
16	6-7	Bob and Gennie Shows	1978-2006
16	8-9	Personal Bob Memorabilia	1951-1992
16	10	Bob Memorabilia	1974-1987
17	1	Letters of Condolence to Gennie DeWeese	1991
17	2	Writings about Bob	1995
17	3	P.D. Skaar; Auction Correspondence	1977-1981, 1992
17	4-5	Printing Schedule and Prep for Bob DeWeese Print Show	1992
17	6-10	Exhibition Flyers and Invitations	1982-2007
18	1-6	Exhibition Flyers and Invitations	1973-2007
19	1-7	Exhibition Flyers and Invitations	1964-2007
20	1-3	Exhibition Flyers and Invitations	1987-2007
box-os	Box
54	1	Exhibition Flyers and Invitations	1979
Box	Folder
20	4	Personal Correspondence	1983-1995
20	5	Billing Lists for Northcutt Gallery and Auction	1985
20	6	Current Art: Show and Grant Applications	1983-1985
20	7	Newspaper Publicity	1985-1999
20	8	Mary Lou - Michael Bob Shimabukuro Columns, Tina Letters	1983-1985
21	1	Gen. Newspaper Stuff; Lou Reed Article	1983-1985
21	2-3	Recent Letters and Recommendations"	1981-1986
21	4-5	Trips and Others' Art	1982-1985
21	6	EMC and Advertising	1983-1985
		3: Filing Cabinet 6 boxes Files taken from a filing cabinet kept by Bob DeWeese, includes drafts of projects, artwork, correspondence, and documents relating to shows and workshops that Bob participated in. The materials give insight into his working process and what items he kept over the years. While some items were refoldered, they kept their original labels, and their original order as arranged by Bob DeWeese; labels may not exactly adhere to contents)
Box	Folder
21	7	DeWeese Art Stuff	1962-1988
22	1	Newsweek	1983
22	2	Art Memorabilia	1977-1990
22	3	Auction Lists and Prices	1979-1985
22	4	CAA-Boston, Letters, etc.	1986-1987
22	5	Letters to Editor	1982
22	6	Chicago	1972
22	7	Big Fork Gallery	1986
22	8	CAA and Danto Reviews	1986
22	9	Announcements	1980-1987
22	10-11	Resumes	1979-1987
22	12	Resumes, loan, and auction receipts	1983-1990
23	1	Art Shows, price lists, etc.	1987-1991
23	2	Artist Resource Bank (ARB) Update	1988
23	3	Washing Project for the Arts	1986
23	4	Gallery Paule Anglim	1987
23	5	DeWeese Catalog - Price lists	1991
23	6	Yellowstone Art Center - Record of Acquisition, University of Washington - Lynn Basa Correspondence	1988-1989
23	7	Montana Draw Exhibition	1986
23	8	Robert DeWeese Work since 1949 - Price List	1979
23	9	Introduction by Rudy Autio and Foreword by Dennis O'Leary for Exhibition Catalog
23	10	Awards in the Visual Arts (AVA)	1983-1988
23	11	Art for the Aged	1988
23	12-13	Art Correspondence	1959-1987
23	14	Letters about My Shows	1978-1979
23	15	Paris drawings and reproductions	1975-1976
box-os
8	2	"Shows" Calendar of Paris sketches	1976
Box
24	1	Press and Publicity	1961-1985
24	2	Rapture Article, Ariel Horoscope, Studio Essays	1988
24	3-8	Shows	1954-1989
24	9	Workshops	1981-1984
25	1-2	Yellowstone Art Center	1981-1990
25	3	House Plans and Kid's Drawings	1987
25	4	Essays, Exhibitions	1960-1975
25	5	Exhibitions	1941-1985
25	6	Various Letters	1961-1963
25	7	Letters to MSU Faculty and Students, Retirement Letters	1976-1977
25	8	MSU Classes - Enrollment and correspondence	1975-1977
25	9	Art Piece Orders	1962-1963
26	1	Stuff from Studio Tack Wall	1975-1978
box-os
8	12	Artwork from Studio Tack Wall
Box
26	2	Basic Art Courses, Old Department Stuff	1945-1965
26	3	Painting 405	1975 Fall
		4: Documentary Ephemera 9 boxes This series contains examples of Bob's work, such as a portfolio of sketches.
Box
29		Miscellaneous realia (necklace, medal, mini chalkboard, etc.)
	item
30	1	Tie wrapped in green tissue paper
30	7	Sign: "So, how much money is art worth?"
30	8	Painted cloth swatches
	Folder
31	1-3	Small pieces of art by Bob DeWeese, photographs, newspaper clippings, and Xeroxes
31	4-8	Assorted notes, sketches, newspaper clippings, sketches and photos
26	4	Photographs
26	5	Correspondence	1977-1986
box-os
33	1	Random posters, correspondence (Some OS)
33	2	Posters for gallery and show announcements (auction of Bob's work after his death in 1986, a performance that Jan DeWeese was in) (Some OS)
33	3	Documentary ephemera related to Bob's work/process?
33	4	GB DeWeese Gallery poster mock-ups, calendars (OS)
33	5	Folder of Xeroxed material (photographs, Bob sketches, etc.) (OS)
33	6	Paintings on canvas board (Bob?) (OS)
33	7	Calendars, 1983-1984 (OS)
33	8	"Kids' Drawings of Bob" -- Portraits of Bob DeWeese by Butte Fifth and Sixth graders during a workshop for the Butte Public Schools, sometime in 1981 (OS)
33	9	Charcoal (?) sketch on paper, "Paris E.A. Ariel" (can't read additional writing)
33	10	Photograph of Tina DeWeese (?) on horse
34	1	Portfolio (Containing documentary ephemera (miscellaneous photographs, scraps of paper, sketches, bits of writing, fabric printed with woodcuts))
34	2	Donald Gilbert Wood's BFA thesis from The Ohio State University, 1948 [Teaching Materials]
54	2	Matisse Folder of reproductions of various famous artworks
54	3	Reproductions of famous artworks
8	3-7	Reproductions of famous artworks
Box
26	6-7	Reproductions of famous artworks
26	8	Press	1956-1966
26	9	Newspaper Clippings	1996
26	10	Art Pamphlets and Publications
27	1	Art Pamphlets and Publications
27	2	German and Italian Artists - Prints and Reproductions	1953-1961
27	3-6	Mounted Reproductions
27	7	Time Magazine Art Sections	1959-1960
27	8	De Kooning Reviews and works by other artists	1962
27	9	Art Reproductions: Nude Drawings
27	10	Postcards and Correspondence	1975-1976
28	1	Exhibition and Gallery Pamphlets	1950-1965
28	2	Workshops with Young Children and Students
box-os
8	8	Cardboard Signs: "International Child Art" and "In the MSC Art Dept. Collection of Original Works of Art"
Box
28	3	Art Postcards	1950s-1960s
28	4	Shows and Exhibitions
28	5-6	Exhibition Catalogs	1948-1964
28	7	Miles City Art Show - Bob and Gennie	1964
28	8	Miscellaneous Exhibition Stuff
		5: Sketchbooks and sketches 3.6 linear feet (9 boxes) This series of sketchbooks and loose sketches document how Bob interacted with and recorded his impressions of the world around him. Beginning in childhood, he sketched and made notes about art, world events, family, and all of the people around him. A significant portion of the series was created while he served in the Pacific during World War II and has sketches of fellow soldiers, some with names. Subsequent notebooks relate to his education and early teaching career. A growing family, homes, and the business of art are also documented. Later sketchbooks are fewer. The subseries also contains loose sketches, categorized by subject, and that contain a few drawings by other artists in his circle of friends and associates.	1929-1982
Box	Folder
56	1	My cartoon book Child's notebook with a combination of drawings and adhesive stamps	1929
56	2	Very early-figurative Figurative drawings. Estimated dates supplied by family	1930-1939
56	3	Figurative Spiral bound notebook with pencil and charcoal sketches, mostly of people	1939
56	4	Figurative Pencil, charcoal, oil pastel, and ink sketches, mostly of people. Includes pages for the New York World's Fair and one page labeled the Whitney Art Galleries	1940
56	5	Troy, Ohio Sketches of people and places in Troy, Ohio. Figures, building, architectural details in pencil and ink. Estimated date provided by family.	1935-1940
56	6	Book III, fall quarter Sketches, many annotated with names, titles, or commentary. One page indicates that a number of sketches were created during his 401 speech and 607 philosophy classes	1941
56	7	Two notebooks Two notebooks containing sketches, mostly of people. Some labeled with names or captioned. Dates provided by family.	1940-1946
56	8	Pencil, charcoal, and ink sketches, mostly of solidiers.	1943-1944
56	9	Pfc Robert DeWeese 529th Band, Buckley Field Colorado Pencil, charcoal, and ink sketches. Note on inside cover indicates that they were created at the USO; some are labeled with names.	1943-1944
56	10	A few writings, fall quarter A mix of notes and pencil and ink sketches, mostly of people. Notes likely from one or more college courses.	1944
56	11	Pfc Robert DeWeese Sketches, mostly of soldiers and musicians, mostly in charcoal.	1944
56	12	Soldiers Sketches, many of soldiers on a train. One later drawing is of a sign in the North Philadelphia [train] Station, September	1944 Fall
56	13	Buckley Field Charcoal and ink sketches of people, mostly soldiers and musicians. Several may be of violinist Paul Bellam (1915-2003), an acclaimed violinist who served in World War II.	1944
57	1	Soldiers Charcoal, pencil, and ink sketches, mostly of soldiers, and possibly created during a train journey. One page has references to the Pennsylvania Short Route. The name Thompson appears on several pages. There is also a sketch labeled "Mothaw," and another that may refer to mothers' service to a nation in wartime.	1944
57	2	Soldiers Charcoal, pencil, and ink sketches, mostly of soldiers. Many blank pages. A whole section of the notebook has been identified by the familiy as not created by DeWeese. The drawings are signed, but the creator is not identified.	1944
57	3	"Jam Session" studies, USO, Wahiawa, Oahu, Hawaii Sketches of bandsmen for painting that DeWeese created for the USO hall. Includes newspaper clipping about the painting and postcard photographs of the hall.	1945
57	4	On ship to or from Hawaii, Dec 44 or Feb 46 and just Oahu drawings 1945 Loose sketches rendered in charcoal, pencil, ink, and scratchboard. Also includes sheet music for a guitar piece with an ink cartoon, "The Adventures of George Guitar."	1944-1946
57	5	Figurative Soldiers, female forms, some notes, in charcoal, pen and ink, and oil pastel.	1944-1945
57	6	Pineapple pickers from Kanehamela School, Honolulu Sketches of people	Spring 1945
57	7	Hawaii	1945
57	8	VJ day in Honolulu Charcoal, ink, and pencil sketches of people, some with labels	1945-08-01T00:00:00+00:00
57	9	Coming home: Fort Kam, Frisco, Burleno [?], Spots, western [illegible] Ink, charcoal, and other sketches , mostly of people. Some annotated.	January-February 1946
57	10	"A" Bomb Newspaper clippings and sketches related to the use of the atom bomb on Japan	1945-1946
57	11	Sketches Ink and charcoal sketches. Notes in back relate to choice of graduate program and use of G.I. Bill benefits	1946
57	12	Drawings, mostly from Detroit Ink sketches, some with names of subjects.	Spring-Summer 1946
57	13	Figurative Charcoal and oil pastel sketches of human figures.	Summer 1946
57	14	The Calliope Handwritten story, charcoal and oil pastel illustrations.	1946
57	15	Iowa Three sketchbooks with ink and oil pastel sketches.	1946-1947
58	1	University of Iowa A mix of sketches and notes from DeWeese's first year at University of Iowa.	1946
58	2	Sketches Charcoal and oil pastel sketches.	1947
58	3	Sketches Sketches of people, including figure drawings. A few notes from a sociology class in the back. The name Tommy Kendall also appears in the book. Estimated date supplied by family.	1946-1947
58	4	Iowa Figurative drawings, pen and ink and oil pastel.	1946-1947
58	5	Iowa Charcoal and oil pastel sketches.	1947-1948
58	6	Iowa Charcoal and oil pastel sketches of human figures.	1947-1948
58	7	[two notebooks Two notebooks, charcoal and oil pastel sketches, mostly human figures.	1947
58	8	[sketches and notes] Notebook with some sketches, but mostly notes related to moving, auto maintenance, and inventory of art supplies.	1948
58	9	Drawing, from OSU Notebook with some sketches, but mostly notes on teaching and miscellaneous matters. Ten pages of personal reflections.	1948
58	10	Sketches Sketches, mostly human figures.	1949
59	1	Mural projects Sketches for mural projects.	1940s
59	2	Social commentary, graphics, elevations, miscellaneous Social commentary and studies on war, graphics, illustrations for story.	1940s
59	3	Portraits Sketches, mostly ink and oil pastel.	1940s
59	4	Figurative Figures, VJ Day, ink series of stripper, animals.	1940s
59	5	Will Barnets class, notes on painting litho tech Mostly figure drawings, few notes.	1951
59	6	Sketches Ink, oil pastel sketches.	1953
59	7	Sketches Mostly figure drawings.	1954-1955
59	8	Sketches and notes on photography A combination of sketches and notes on photography processes.	mid-1950s
59	9	Diorama sketches, notes, babies Sketches of babies (labeled as Lisa, Tina), Ford Times, White Sulphur Springs	Summer 1954
59	10	Figurative Mostly figures, ink, pencil, and crayon.	Fall 1954 and Summer 1955
60	1	Notes and sketches Teaching notes, sketches. Draft of a letter to Seligman in Seattle, WA, regarding art for sale.	1956
60	2	Notes and sketches Includes 11 pages of teaching notes. Sketches in ink and pencil.	Spring 1956
60	3	Notes and sketches Ink, pencil, oil pastel, watercolor sketches.	Summer 1956
60	4	Notes and sketches Pencil, ink, other sketches, mostly people but also building details.	Winter 1956
60	5	Notes and sketches Two series of female figure drawings. Teaching notes, particularly a page titled "Life."	1956
60	6	Shirley Rae Smith Cover reads "Shirley Rae Smith, Ham[ilton?] Hall. Most drawings are of the same small child.	1956-1957
60	7	Notes and sketches Notes include commentaries on deadlines, Montana State College, and creative experimentation. Ink and pencil drawings, mostly of figures, some labeled with names.	1957
60	8	Figurative Watercolor, ink, and pencil sketches, mostly figures.	1955-1957
60	9	Sketches Ink, pencil, oil pastel, watercolor sketches.	1957-1958
60	10	Drawings Sketches, subjects labeled as Elaine Coombs, Tata Bryson, Wylla Barsness, Molly, Elaine C., Oya, Don Coombs.	1958
61	1	Life Drawing Figures in ink, pencil. List of Bob and Gennie artworks to a show in Billings, February 22, 1958.	1958
61	2	Figures; DeWeese children Figures in ink, pencil. Some drawings may be the DeWeese children on a train journey. One page of tic-tac-toe, and drawings of rockets that may not be Bob's.	1959
61	3	Figurative Figures in ink, pencil, charcoal. Some lists of household items, including paint and brushes.	1959 May
61	4	Figurative Figures in ink, pencil, oil pastel. One sketch labeled as Sue McCulough.	1959
61	5	Figurative and abstract Abstracts and figures in ink, pencil, watercolor, oil pastel.	1950s
61	6	Figurative Figures in ink, pencil.	1959-1960
61	7	Figurative, Courtship, Powwow dancing Figures in ink, pencil. Grouped by topics that include powwow dancers, courtship (which includes nudes), and figurative	1950s
61	8	Assorted sketches Figures in ink, pencil, oil pastel.	1950s
61	9	Trip east Iowa, Wilmington, New York. Prospectus for painting class at studio.	1961
61	10	Figurative Figures in ink, pencil, oil pastel. A few household lists.	1961-1962
61	11	Figurative Figures in pencil. Some sketches appear to be related to the "Threepenny Opera" by Brecht.	1962
62	1	Figurative Figures in pencil and multimedia with stickers and assorted scrap pieces. Household list of repairs and projects to do over the summer of 1963.	1961-1963
62	2	Figurative Figures in pencil, ink, oil pastel.	Early 1960s
62	3	Figurative Figures in pencil, ink, oil pastel.	1964
62	4	Figurative Two notebooks of pencil and ink sketches, mostly figurative. One notebook also has notes related to household matters on the cover. Dates inferred by Tina DeWeese.	1960s
62	5	Figurative Two notebooks, one of pencil, ink, and oil pastel figuratives; one handmade notebook with a few pages of ink figuratives. Dates inferred by Tina DeWeese.	1960s
62	6	Figurative Drawing tablet with figuratives in ink, possibly of the DeWeese children.	1972
62	7	Figurative Figures in pencil and ink. Some are from a production of Shakespeare's "The Tempest."	1970s
62	8	Figurative Figures in ink, charcoal, and ink. Notes related to project on first page.	1971
62	9	Handmade notebook with silk and velvet patchwork covers Figures in ink, pencil, and other media. Inscription on first page reads "Merry Christmas & Happy New Year! Love Cathie"	1970s
62	10	Notebooks Two notebooks, one labeled 1975 and one Summer 1972 and 1973. Landscapes in ink in children's lined handwriting instruction books.	1972-1975
63	1	Ceramics notes Mostly notes from either taking or teaching ceramics. Includes student names but no grades; notes are related to equipment. DeWeese may have been making these notes while teaching in Texas or Oklahoma. Undated; date inferred from similarity to the 1951 notebook.	Early 1950s
63	2	Teaching notes Notes for Art 328, drawing course, and Art 227, watercolors course, taught at Montana State College.	1951 Fall
63	3	Sketches Sketches for a bridge, some figuratives in pencil and ink.	1974
63	4	Figurative Pencil, ink, and oil pastel sketches, figurative. Two drawings identified as "Bill" and "Elvia" by Tina DeWeese.	undated
63	5	Three notebooks Three small notebooks, one labeled "High Line, Fall '82"; other items lack labels. One is a handmade accordion-fold book with a continuous pen and ink drawing of an unidentified landscape.	1982 fall and undated
63	6	Figurative Loose drawings, figurative, pencil, ink, and oil pastel.	1960s and 1970s
63	7	Drawings of Cathie Loose drawings of Cathie DeWeese as an infant.	1947
63	8	Early family Loose drawings of DeWeese family members. Dates derived by Tina DeWeese.	Late 1940s
63	9	Family Loose drawings of DeWeese family members. Dates inferred by Tina DeWeese.	1950s
63	10	Family Loose drawings of DeWeese family. Dates inferred by Tina DeWeese.	1960s
63	11	Family Loose drawings of DeWeese family. Dates infered by Tina DeWeese.	1970s
63	12	Arizona Loose drawings, people and landscapes.	1977 June
63	13	Friends Loose drawings, friends, some labeled with names. One sketch of dog, "Weesie."	undated
63	14	Leila and Rudy Autio Loose drawings, mostly of Leila.	undated
64	1	Landscapes Loose drawings, pencil, ink, charcoal, and watercolor, almost all unlabeled.	undated
64	2	Landscapes Loose drawings, pencil, ink, charcoal, some identified. Copyrights held by creators. No copies.	undated
64	3	Non objective Loose drawings, pencil, ink, oil pastel, one on MSU music recital program.	undated
64	4	Non objective Loose drawings, pencil, ink, figurative.	1962 and undated
64	5	Misc from auction Loose drawings, figurative, mostly ink. Assembled as a lot for an auction.	undated
64	6	Winter Fair Loose drawings of Winter Fair in Bozeman, MT. Assembled as a lot for an auction.	undated
64	7	Roller skating at the hot springs Loose drawings of roller skating at [Bozeman Hot Springs?], assembled for an auction.	undated
64	8	Figurative Loose drawings, figurative, assembled as a lot for an auction.	undated
64	9	Paris Drawings from a trip to Paris. Assembled as a lot for an auction.	1975
64	10	Others' drawings Drawings by Bill Blakesley, Keene, Nolan, Hirschl, and others, along with a few DeWeese sketches. Copyrights held by creators; no copies.	1937-1944 and undated
box-os
34	3	Figurative Black portfolio, figurative drawings in ink, some labeled with subjects' names. Numerous blank pages.	undated
8	12	Figurative Sketches, reflections, plans for exhibits, plays on words.	1973

3: DeWeese Family correspondenceReturn to Top

5 boxes

This series largely consists of letter of condolence to Gennie DeWeese regarding Bob's passing in 1990. Another large portion of the series consists of letters of condolence sent to Josh and Tina DeWeese after Gennie's death in 2007. Correspondence contains letters, condolence notes and newspaper clippings. Two folders contain assorted letter sent to Bob and Gennie DeWeese from friends. Corresondence in this series is not exhaustive and other letters may be found interspersed throughout the rest of the collection.

This series has no formal arrangement

Container(s)		Description	Dates
Box	Folder
32	1-6	Condolence Letters to Josh DeWeese - Regarding Death of Gennie DeWeese	2007-2008
35	1-7	Condolence Letters to Tina DeWeese - Regarding Death of Gennie DeWeese	2007-2008
37	1-2	Condolence Letters to Tina DeWeese - Regarding Death of Gennie DeWeese	2007-2008
37	3	Get Well Soon Cards to Bob DeWeese and Condolence Letters to Gennie DeWeese	1989-1991
37	4-6	Condolence Letters to Gennie DeWeese and Family - Regarding Death of Bob DeWeese	1990-1991
38	1-7	Condolence Letters to Gennie DeWeese and Family - Regarding Death of Bob DeWeese	1990-1991
39	1	Get Well Soon Cards to Bob DeWeese and Condolence Letters to Gennie DeWeese	1990-1991
39	2-6	Condolence Letters to Gennie DeWeese and Family - Regarding Death of Bob DeWeese	1990-1991
40	1	Letters to Bob DeWeese	1961-1977
40	2	Gennie DeWeese Correspondence	1988-1996

4: Gennie DeWeese biographical files, 1948-2007Return to Top

4 boxes

This series contains personal effects, art materials, awards, newspaper clippings and gallery opening materials. Series 4 is divided into 2 subseries, personal and awards.

Container(s)		Description	Dates
		1: Personal 3 boxes This subseries contains documents about Gennie DeWeese's family history, as well as personal items she kept over the years.
Box	Folder
42	1	Personalized Stamp
42	2	Medal
42	3	Ribbon
42	4	Nametag
42	5	"Gen" Wooden Square
42	6	Sweet Pea Stamp
42	7	She May be Mom, but she's also a woman framed quote
40	3-4	Family Memories	1990-2006
40	5	Family History - Genealogy	2004
40	6	"Adams Family" - Gennie (Adams) DeWeese Family Research	2005
40	7	Memorabilia	1961-2000
	Volume
36	1	Claris Adams Memorial Service, The American Life Convention, "Mrs. Robert DeWeese"	1960
box-os	Folder
54	4	Calendar, "In Praise of Women's Art"
54	5	Calendar	1988 December
Box
40	8	MSU	1984-1991
40	9	Josh DeWeese Article	circa 2000
40	10-12	Articles and Flyers - Gennie DeWeese Shows	1966-2003
41	1-2	Articles and Flyers - Gennie DeWeese Shows	1973-2000
41	3	Gennie DeWeese Interview, Newspapers, Gallery	1985-1995
41	4	Miscellaneous	1993-2000
box-os
8	9	Article in This Week, "Celebrating the life of Gennie DeWeese"	2008 June 20
		2: Awards 1 box Collection of awards given to Gennie DeWeese.
Box
42		Artist of the Year honorary key, Yellowstone Art Museum President's Awards, (Gennie DeWeese)	2002 July 12
	Folder
41	5-6	MSU Honorary Doctorate of the Arts-with Commencement Documents	1995
41	7	Senska-Wilber Montana Governor's Arts Award	1985 May 18
41	8	Montana Governor's Arts Award	1980-1995
41	9	Sign: "A woman has to do twice as much as a man to be considered half as good"
41	10	Resume Statements
41	11	US Department of State Art, Certificate of Appreciation, Art in Embassies Program	1995-2000
43	1	Ageless Hero Award, Blue Cross and Blue Shield	2000

5: Gennie DeWeese working filesReturn to Top

9 boxes

Series 5 contains art projects, exhibition materials, notes, lists of artwork details, illustrations and newspaper clippings. The series is split into two subseries, projects and exhibitions.

Container(s)		Description	Dates
		1: Projects 4 boxes Examples of Gennie DeWeese's work such as sketches of murals, illustrations for projects such as Hamlet's Planets.
Box	Folder
43	2	Miscellaneous Panels of the Arts Involvements	1986-2005
43	3-4	Montana Contemporary Art Marketing Study	1994-1995
43	5	Meetings - Suggestions, etc.
43	6	Helen Schmidt Book	1981-1982
43	7	Gottlieb Foundation	2005-2006
43	8	Hamlet's Planets	1997
43	9	Gennie DeWeese Painting and Woodcut list
43	10	Shows, museum correspondence, etc.	1975-2003
44	1	Gallery and Exhibit Correspondence	1982-2006
44	2	Gallery Correspondence: San Francisco Gallery, Yellowstone Art Museum, Penelope Loucas Gallery	1984-2002
44	3	Morgan Gallery and Custer County Art Center	1993-2007
44	4	Toucan Gallery and UCross Foundation	2000-2002
44	5	Billings Clinic Hospital Mural, Corona Sexson, etc.	1979-2000
44	6	Billings Clinic Hospital Mural - Photographs
44	7	"Scrolls": Art statements and pricing
44	8	Hamlet's Planets sketches
44	9	Hamlet's Planets manuscript
44	10	Hamlet's Planets
45	1	Women's Work Art Show and The Griffin Child illustrations	1989
45	2	Personal letters, art programs, newspaper clippings	1989
45	3	Notes on Native American Art
45	4	Fish, Wildlife and Parks Mural Proposal	2002
45	5	Lists, Prices
45	6	Notebook
45	7	"About Gennie," Terry Karson	1999
45	8	Mr. Somersets 4th Grade Visit to Art Museum of Missoula	circa 1996
45	9	Gennie DeWeese Retrospective Art Museum of Missoula	1992-2005
45	10	Montana Artists Refuge	2003
		2: Exhibitions 5 boxes Includes art lists and prices, notes and correspondence with galleries, gallery announcements displaying Gennie's works, as well as ones she may have been interested in.
Box	Folder
45	11	National Endowment of the Arts	1979-1990
45	12	Women's Work: The Montana Women's Centennial Art Survey Exhibition, curated by Gennie DeWeese and Suzanne Katzanek	1989
46	1	Women's Work: The Montana Women's Centennial Art Survey Exhibition, curated by Gennie DeWeese and Suzanne Katzanek	1989
46	2	Notes and Remarks on Jessie Wilber Tipi Design Serigraphs
46	3	Gallery Guestbook: Thank You Notes from Montana Art Gallery Directors Association (MAGDA)	1966-2003
46	4	Contemporary Art Pamphlets	1990-1993
46	5	Spinsters Ink and R&F Handmade Paints info	1993
46	6	Women Who Make a Difference	1986-2002
46	7	Missoula Art Museum, Gennie DeWeese Retrospective, Exhibit layout sheets (mockup)	1990-2008
46	8	Yellowstone Art Museum	1979-2007
46	9	Yellowstone Art Museum: Acquisition of Gen Paintings	1995-2002
46	10	Holtler Art Museum	1997-2007
47	1	Corona Vol. I	1980
47	2	Corona Vol. II	1981
47	3	DeWeese Legacy	1991-2011
53	1	DeWeese Legacy - Retrospective booklet	1996
47	4	DeWeese Art Postcards	1997-2004
47	5	Gennie DeWeese Retrospective - Art Museum of Missoula	1996
47	6	Arizona State University: The Works of Gennie DeWeese	1995-1996
47	7	Invoices and Receipts	1994-1996
47	8	"Gen" (speech text)	1996
47	9	Notes and Letters to Gennie DeWeese	1992-1996
box-os
8	10	"Your comments for Gennie DeWeese" - Comments from exhibition	1996-1997
Box
47	10	Art Museum of Missoula, Gennie DeWeese: A Retrospective	1994-1997
box-os
54	6	Gennie DeWeese Retrospective - Proofs	1996
Box
47	11	Gennie DeWeese: A Retrospective, Resume	1996

6: Gennie and Bob DeWeese GalleryReturn to Top

5 boxes

Series 6 includes gallery materials, notes, guest books, publicity materials, newspaper clippings, press releases and correspondence.

Container(s)		Description	Dates
Box	Folder
47	12-13	Bob and Gennie Gallery - Price lists and sales books	1987-1988
48	1-2	At Home magazine	2004-2008
48	3	Various Magazines and Art Auction Catalogs	2011
box-os
54	7	Various Magazines	2005
Box
48	4-6	Art Auction Catalogs	1988-2008
49	1-2	Art Auction Catalogs	1982-2003
49	3	The Poindexter Collection, Yellowstone Art Museum	2005
49	4	Yellowstone Art Center	1974-1989
49	5-6	Yellowstone Art Museum Annual Art Auction	2000-2007
49	7	Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art Exhibition and Auction Catalogs	1988-2002
49	8	Art Magazines	1992-2004
50	1	Assorted Art Pamphlets	1959-1998
50	2	Missoula Museum of the Arts/Art Museum of Missoula Exhibitions	1987-2004
50	3	Peter Rutledge Koch	1995-2000
50	4	Montana State University Art Exhibitions	1966-1974
50	5	Women's Work: The Montana Women's Centennial	1989
50	6	Seattle Gallery Exhibitions	1997
50	7	Montana Cultural Treasures: Guide to Montana Art Galleries, Museums and Studies	1997-1999
50	8	Montana Artists	1997
50	9	DeWeese Shows: Early Years, MSU, and Bozeman	1949-1985
50	10	DeWeese Shows: Montana and Friends' Show Announcements	1954-1993
50	11	Northwest Printmakers, University of Washington	1956-1961
50	12	Seattle Art Museum Annual Exhibition of Northwest Artists	1952-1961
50	13	Gallery Paule Anglim and Loggia Gallery in San Francisco	1958-1987
50	14	Various Exhibitions in the United States and France	1945-1990
50	15	Newspaper Retro Shows, etc.	1979-2006
51	1	Ford Times	1953-1956
51	2	Bob DeWeese's Obituary	1976-1993
51	3	Artweek: Exhibitions: Joys of Process	1983
51	4	DeWeese Contemporary Gallery	1986-1987
51	5	Artweek	1987-1988
51	6	Artweek and This Week magazines	1984-1988
51	7	Correspondence and Newspaper clippings	1982-1987
51	8	DeWeese Gallery: Akio Takamori and Harold Schlotzhauer	1986-1987
51	9	DeWeese Gallery Promotional Material	1987
51	10	Miscellaneous Gallery Stuff	1987-1988
51	11	DeWeese Contemporary Gallery: Miriam Sample	1978-1987
51	12	Gallery Announcements and Correspondence	1985-1987
51	13	Press Releases: Autio Trio
51	14	DeWeese Family Show: Prices and Inventories	1983
51	15	Newspaper Stories	1986
52	1	DeWeese Gallery Advertising	1986
52	2	DeWeese Gallery Preview Show photos	1985
52	3	DeWeese Gallery photos	1986
52	4	DeWeese Gallery: Various shows: Josh DeWeese, Rob DeWeese, Gen DeWeese, Jerry Rankin, Clarice Dreyer show photos	1985-1986
52	5	Exhibitor Resumes and Statements	1986
53	2-3	DeWeese Gallery Posters	1986
box-os
54	8	DeWeese Gallery Posters: Xeroxes
Box
53	4-6	Gallery Correspondence	1986-1988
53	7	Cash Book	1985-1986
53	8	DeWeese Contemporary Gallery photos
53	9	Inventory: DeWeese family artworks	1980s
53	10	Gallery Guestbook	1985-1986
	dvd
55	1	'Gennie DeWeese 80th Birthday' Tina DeWeese's compilation of Gennie's life in 444 photographs.
55	2	'Thanksgiving 2007'
	compact-disc
55	1	'At the DeWeese's' Movie by Michael Sexton.
	dvd
55	3	'Bob DeWeese: A Look Ahead, Exhibition at the Holter Museum of Art' By Martin Holt.
	compact-disc
55	2	'Bob DeWeese Panel, Holter Museum, Terry Karson/James Reineking/Markus Stangl/Wes Mills/Jerry Rankin, October 29, 2006'	October 26, 2006
55	3	'Terry Karson, Robert DeWeese "At Large" Leni Holliman YPR'
	vhs
55	2	'DeWeese "House full of Art' MSU Film and TV production by Bill Neff.
55	3	'Tipi's Wessie' [Jessie Wilber]
55	4	'Montana Style: The Art of Bob DeWeese'
55	5	'Robert DeWeese Exhibition Tape, August 30, 1991' Video of retrospective at Yellowstone Art Center.	August 30, 1991
55	6	'Gennie DeWeese' Compilation of photos of Gennie by Tina DeWeese.
	Volume
36	2	DeWeese Gallery - Guest List
36	3	Slides and Photographs from the DeWeese Gallery

7: DeWeese Web Archive, 2020-2025Return to Top

The DeWeese website was created and is maintained by Tina DeWeese to document and promote the DeWeeses' legacy. It includes photographs, written tributes, and other materials.

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

Artists--Montana

Corporate Names

Montana State University--Bozeman--Faculty

Geographical Names

Montana

Form or Genre Terms

Artist files
Biographies
Biography
Correspondence
Web archives
Works of art

Archives West Finding Aid

Table of Contents