Kathleen Gemberling Adkison (1917-2010) was born in Nebraska on July 5, 1917. In 1930 her family moved to Seattle, where she graduated from high school. She had a passion for painting and studied art with Leon Derbyshire at Cornish Institute between 1938 and 1942. In 1942 she was introduced to Mark Tobey, influential Northwest painter and one of the founders of the Northwest School. She continued to study privately with Mark Tobey and Morris Graves, an expressionist painter, from 1942 to 1948.
In 1948 she moved with her family to Spokane but continued to study art in Seattle, returning frequently for lessons. She was an instructor at the Washington State University Extension Service in Spokane from 1953 to 1962, a Visiting Professor of Art at Gonzaga University from 1967 to 1968 and taught private classes in the Spokane art community.
Adkison's first solo exhibition was in 1957 at the Henriette E. Woessner Alumni Gallery, Seattle. Throughout her career she had numerous solo exhibitions, the majority of which were at Gordon Woodside/John Braseth Gallery in Seattle. Adkison participated in group exhibitions throughout Washington as well as throughout the nation. Her pieces are held by museums and in public and private collections throughout the Pacific Northwest.
She married architect Thomas Adkison in 1968 and drew inspiration from nature and her travels with him. Her abstract landscapes grew out of her love of mountain climbing, trekking and hiking. Adkison died on August 3, 2010.
The Kathleen Gemberling Adkison papers reflect Adkison's work as a Northwest painter. Papers include correspondence pertaining to her artwork regarding purchase, congratulations on awards, and inclusion in gallery shows and museum exhibits. An interview transcript in which Adkison talks about her experience as an artist and why she paints is included. Newspaper articles and exhibit programs document her awards and inclusion in gallery shows and museum exhibits, specifically the Gordon Woodside/John Braseth Gallery, the Seattle Art Museum, the Frye Art Museum and the Sonora Art Gallery. Photographs, slides and negatives depict Adkison and her artwork.
Materials are arranged into three series: Series I. Personal Papers, Series II. Correspondence, and Series III. Photographs of art works. Papers retain original order.
Materials are open to researchers.
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[Identification of item], Kathleen Gemberling Adkison papers, Archives and Special Collections, Mark O. Hatfield Library, Willamette University.
Gift of Helen Braden, 2009 and 2014.
Brochures, programs, and exhibit material reflect the awards that Adkison received for her artwork as well as the exhibits and shows in which her artwork was featured. Many items are marked with the awards she received or the page on which she is featured. Photographs of her artwork are often included in the material. Additionally, an article in Architectural Digest in which one of Adkison's paintings was mentioned is included. Newspaper clippings cover stories about her work and her inclusion in shows and exhibits. Also included in this series is the transcript of a 1978 interview in which Adkison discusses her artwork and life as a painter.
Among the awards that Adkison received is a framed State of Washington Commendation, recognizing her achievements in painting and contributions to the cultural life of Washington State.
Gemberling's work included in the accession lists.
Gemberling listed as prize winner. 1958 brochure includes newspaper clippings about her winning.
1956 program includes second place ribbon.
1961 program includes inserted correspondence regarding the purchase of a Gemberling painting.
Gemberling featured as Best of Show and/or honorable mention. 1966 program includes newspaper article about her award for Grotto. 1997 program includes newspaper article about her award for Last of Autumn.
Includes newspaper article inserts.
Article mentioning Gemberling painting.
Adkison's The Source included in the exhibition.
Includes section on Adkison.
Correspondence in this series relates to Adkison's artwork, spanning 1949 through 2006. Adkison received correspondence from individuals and businesses interested in purchasing her paintings, noting payment for specific works, or individuals and critics commenting on her artwork. Adkison's paintings were purchased by or donated to institutions such as museums, art galleries, banks, the Pacific Gas Transmission Company, schools, academies and universities.
Also included is correspondence regarding Adkison's inclusion in various exhibits and shows, specifically the 1999 Cheney Cowles Museum Kathleen Adkison retrospection, as well as a letter from John Obrantz, director of the Hallie Ford Museum of Art, regarding his move from Deputy Director at the Whatcom Museum of History and Art to Hallie Ford, dated May 20, 1998.
Gordon Woodside/John Braseth Gallery.
Includes photographs of Gemberling's art throughout their home and of Gemberling with her artwork. Kathy was a childhood friend of Helen.
Includes correspondence on Cheney Cowles Museum KathleenAdkison retrospective, 1999.
Includes KathleenAdkison Inc. Articles of Incorporation document and 1947 Puyallup Washington Fair Fifth Premium ribbon.
Includes First Award ribbon at the Las Vegas Art League National Art round-up, and polaroids of her artwork located in the Pacific Gas Transmission Company.
This series has photographs, negatives and slides of Adkison paintings on exhibit and as well as photographs of her working in her studio. A number of the photographs show Adkison's unusual painting technique.