WCSU School of Visual and Performing Arts Collection
Scope and Contents
The collection is made up of student and faculty art as well as materials purchased by or donated to WCSU. The Collection includes: Etchings and engravings obtained from Westport antique dealer Charles Zimmerman, pieces of art collected by Professor Robert Alberetti, original art work by students and Robert Alberetti, and pieces by Allen Hermes that Alberetti had aquired. In addition, the Art Department accepted a collection of drawings (cartoons) from a local stained glass artist, Lawrence Y. Leopold. These materials were transferred to the Archives with the other materials from White Hall. Many of the stained glass drawings are in poor condition and remain lightly processed.
The pieces of art were stored in sub-optimal conditions in White Hall for many years and many sustained light damage and dirt build-up.
The collection does not contain any records from the Art department or documentation to accompany the art objects. Many of the pieces have been photographed or scanned.
When possible, pieces of original art were hung in various places in the Haas Library.
Dates
- Creation: 1850s-2008
Creator
Access Restrictions
Open for research without restrictions.
Use restrictions
Permission to publish materials must be obtained in writing from the:
Ruth A. Haas Library
Archives and Special Collections
181 White Street Danbury, CT 06810
Phone: 203-837-8992
E-mail: stevensb@wcsu.edu
Biographical / Historical
Though Western Connecticut State University has offered courses in art since early in its history, in 1950, James W. Timmins joined art faculty member Hazel D. Tobias, thereby the formation of a Department of Art was formed. In 1961, a four-year Liberal Arts (Bachelor of Arts degree) program was offered at the college and by 1967 the Art Department had five faculty members, including Robert Alberetti, with James Timmons as department. A minor in Art was offered in 1980 and in 1992, a Bachelor of Arts degree in Studio Art; painting, printmaking, or sculpture and ceramics, was made available.
During Alberetti's career at WCSU, he accumulated a collection of student art and prints which were stored in White Hall which had been the Art Department's home. Upon completion of the Art Center on the Westside campus, materials stored at White Hall were transferred to the Archives.
Extent
26 Linear Feet
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Pieces of art from WCSU's Art Department. Collection includes student and faculty work and gifts to the University.
Arrangement
Materials are grouped in accordance with the original order of the materials as they had been stored. Prints and original pieces were collocated separately as were student works.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Transferred to the Archives in the summer of 2014 by Melissa Ralston-Jones and Lori Robeau for the School of Visual and Performing Arts.
Source
- Alberetti, Robert (Person)
Subject
- Western Connecticut State University. School of Visual and Performing Arts (Organization)
- Leopold, Lawrence Y. (Person)
- Hermes, R. Allen (Person)
- Hermansader, John B., 1915–2005 (Person)
- Title
- Guide to the School of Visual and Performing Arts Collection
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Processed by Roseanne Shea, Ellen O'Meara, Patrick Shea, Jamie Cantoni, Ann Victor, Christina Feng and Brian Stevens
- Date
- 6/10/2014
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- English
Repository Details
Part of the Western Connecticut State University Archives and Special Collections Repository
Haas Library
181 White St
Danbury 06810 USA US
203.837.8992
203.837.8322 (Fax)
stevensb@wcsu.edu