Workshop in Large Scale Enameling archive

May 4 Collection - Boxes 108, 108A, 108B, 108C, 108D, 108E

Finding Aid
Prepared by Cara Gilgenbach, July 1995; Updated January 2012 by Penny White; Updated January 2017

Inclusive Dates: 1994-1995
Extent: 3.16 cubic feet (1 slim document case, 5 custom-made boxes containing enamel works on steel mounted on 5 wood panels)
Physical Location: 11th and 12th floor

Historical Note: A workshop in large scale enameling was held in March of 1995 as part of the 25th Annual Commemoration of the Kent State shootings of May 4, 1970. The workshop gave participants an opportunity to create enamels as a "lasting record of [their] visual and/or written response to the events of May 4, 1970" (workshop flyer). The workshop was held over four sessions on March 4, 5, 11, and 12, 1995. Registration was open to all Kent State University faculty, students, and members of the community-at-large.

Emeritus professor of art, Mel Someroski conceived of the workshop and taught it with Deanna Robb, an art instructor. The workshop met at Van Deusen Hall’'s Large Scale Studio. Materials were provided with support from the Ferro Corporation, Educational Equipment Corporation, Greensteel, and the 25th Anniversary Coordinating Committee.

Part of the workshop included group discussions about each artist’'s creation, as well as the writing of an artist statement by each participant. Additionally, three artists received purchase awards after their enamels were chosen by an exhibition jury. Tina Grondin won the first place prize of $100.00. Heidrun Hultgren and Bruce Woodward each received $25.00 honorable mention prizes.

Scope and Content: This collection contains materials generated by the organizers and participants of the Workshop in Large Scale Enameling. In addition to a small amount of materials related to the planning and funding of the workshop, the collection comprises a list of workshop participants, the names of purchase award recipients, newspaper clippings, and the enamels and corresponding artists' statements created by workshop participants. Most enamels are mounted in collage fashion on five wooden boards. Four enamel tiles that were not mounted on wooden board are retained separately in this collection.

Acquisitions Information: The collection was donated to Kent State University Special Collections and Archives by the participants of the workshop.

Sponsor: Digitization of this collection was funded by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.

May 4 Collection -- Box 108
Folder -- Contents

1. Enameling Workshop: Diagram identifying artists, 1995
2. Enameling Workshop: Flyer, 1995
3. Enameling Workshop: Letter from David L. McCombs to Deanna R. Robb, January 10, 1995
4. Enameling Workshop: List of participants, 1995
5. Enameling Workshop: Memo from Mel Someroski to the 25th Anniversary Coordinating Committee, August 16, 1994
6. Enameling Workshop: Names of purchase award recipients, 1995
7. Enameling Workshop: Newspaper clippings, 1995
8. Enameling Workshop: Ephemera: Decorated folder, 1995
9. Enameling Workshop: Artist Statements, 1995
   Scope and Content: This folder includes artists' statements for the majority of the enamel tiles. Some artists did not contribute statements.
10. Collier, Cory, Enamel Tile, 1995
    Physical Description: Unmounted, 6 3/4 x 6 3/4 in.
11. Prochnow, Katy, Enamel Tile, 1995
    Physical Description: Unmounted, 6 3/4 x 6 3/4 in.
12. Unidentified, Enamel Tile, 1995
    Physical Description: Unmounted, 6 3/4 x 6 3/4 in.
13. Unidentified, Enamel Tile, 1995
    Physical Description: Unmounted, 6 3/4 x 6 3/4 in.

May 4 Collection -- Box 108A
Enamel tiles mounted on wooden board, 1995 (1 of 5)
Physical Description: 18 x 20 in.

May 4 Collection -- Box 108B
Enamel tiles mounted on wooden board, 1995 (2 of 5)
Physical Description: 17 x 22 in.

May 4 Collection -- Box 108C
Enamel tiles mounted on wooden board, 1995 (3 of 5)
Physical Description: 25 x 40 in.

May 4 Collection -- Box 108D
Enamel tiles mounted on wooden board, 1995 (4 of 5)
Physical Description: 26 x 28 in.

May 4 Collection -- Box 108E
Enamel tiles mounted on wooden board, 1995 (5 of 5)
Physical Description: 14 x 25 in.