Object Details
Summary
The collection, which dates from 1961 to 2004 and measures 11.16 linear feet, documents the career of artist, curator, and museum technician Edith T. Martin. The papers in the collection include education documents, professional correspondence, sketches, promotional material, news clippings, newsletters, catalogues/magazines from exhibits and arts organizations, and exhibit photographs and slides.
Scope and Contents note
The collection encompasses various series detailing the career and contributions of Edith I. Martin, primarily through biographical documents such as curriculum vitae, artist statements, writings, and materials related to her ongoing education at the Smithsonian American Art Museum Renwick Gallery. Box 2 features oversized sketches and photographs. It also includes records from her memberships in multiple organizations spanning the 1970s to 2004, as well as a chronological correspondence series from 1997 to 2004, highlighting her interactions regarding exhibitions and visual arts organizations. The exhibitions series documents the art shows Martin participated in or organized, including those associated with the Association for the Study of American Life and History and the National Conference of Artists. Additionally, the printed material series, organized by type, contains an array of newspapers, newsletters, bulletins, magazines, and articles collected throughout her career. Finally, the artist files, arranged alphabetically from A to Y, consist of resumes, biographies, and artist statements, along with correspondence related to exhibitions and a collection of slides and photographs of her art.
sova.acma.06-050
Creator
Martin, Edith I. (Irene) (1920-2008)
Names
Smithsonian American Art Museum. Renwick Gallery
Anderson, Ron (1946)
Andrews, Benny, 1930-2006
Artis, William Ellisworth, 1914-1977
Auld, Rose (1948)
Barthé, Richmond, 1901-1989
Bearden, Romare (1911-1988)
Brown, Sterling A., 1901-1989
Bullock, Barbara Jane (1938)
Chase-Riboud, Barbara
Eutemey, Karen
Evans, Minnie, 1892-1987
Freeman, Gloria
Gilliam, Sam, Jr. (1933-2022)
Honeywood, Varnette P. (Varnette Patricia) (1950-2010)
Johnson, Joshua, active 1796-1824
Johnson-Calloway, Marie (1920-2018)
Jones, Lois Mailou (1905-1998)
Kennedy, Harriet Forte, 1931-1994
Lawrence, Jacob, 1917-2000
Lee-Smith, Hughie (1915-1999)
Lloyd, Tom, 1929-
McClarrin, Justine
Meo, Yvonne Cole (1923)
Paige, Joe
Pippin, Horace (1888-1946)
Powell, Georgette Seabrooke (1916-2011)
Powell, Judson
Purifoy, Noah, 1917-
Saar, Betye (1926)
Sills, Thomas, 1914-
Snowden, Sylvia (1942)
Stewart, George
Sun Ra (1914-1993)
Tanner, Henry Ossawa (1859-1937)
Thomas, Alma (1891-1978)
Thompson, Bob, 1937-1966
Wells, James Lesesne (1902-1993)
Topic
African American women artists
African American artists
Women artists
Nonprofit organizations
Women, Black
Museum exhibits
Provenance
The Edith I. Martin papers were donated to the Anacostia Community Museum in 2006 by Edith . Martin.
Creator
Martin, Edith I. (Irene) (1920-2008)
See more items in
Edith I. (Irene) Thompson Martin Papers
Biographical/Historical note
Edith Irene Martin (née Thompson) (1920-2008), an internationally recognized painter, was born in Caroline County, Virginia, on March 28, 1920. In 1948, she married Albert Martin. She later moved to Washington, D.C., where she joined the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Renwick Gallery, serving as a museum professional until her retirement. Martin earned her degree in Fine Arts from American University in Washington, D.C. and furthered her education at Georgetown University.
Throughout her career, Martin was affiliated with numerous organizations, including the District of Columbia Art Association, the Smithsonian Institution's Women's Council, the National Conference of Artists, and the Washington Women's Art Center. As an accomplished artist, her work is featured in several permanent collections nationwide. She participated in and curated numerous exhibitions, including those at the Anacostia Neighborhood Museum, Smith-Mason Gallery, and American Art League.
Dedicated to promoting the talents and achievements of African American artists, particularly black women artists, Martin collaborated with various organizations to advance the creative contributions of her peers through active community engagement. She passed away in Washington, D.C., on December 7, 2008.
Function
Nonprofit organizations
Extent
11.16 Linear Feet (9 boxes)
Date
1961-2004
Archival Repository
Anacostia Community Museum Archives
Identifier
ACMA.06-050
Type
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Citation
Edith I. Martin papers, Anacostia Community Museum Archives, Smithsonian Institution, gift of Edith I. Martin.
Arrangement note
The collection is arranged into six main categories:
Series 1: Biographical
Series 2: Memberships
Series 3: Correspondence
Series 4: Exhibit Files
Series 5: Printed Materials
Series 6: Artist Files
Processing Information note
This collection was originally processed by Tonijala D. Penn, October 2007 then again by Britney Crawford in July 2024.
Rights
Use of the materials requires an appointment. Some items are not accessible due to obsolete format and playback machinery restrictions. Please contact the archivist to make an appointment: ACMarchives@si.edu.
Restrictions
Edith I. Martin Papers is the physical property of the Anacostia Community Museum. Literary and copyright belong to the author/creator or their legal heirs and assigns. This collection of records contains sensitive Personally Identifiable Information (PII) that has been redacted to protect individuals' privacy. For further information, and to obtain permission to publish or reproduce, contact the Museum Archives.
ACMA.06-050
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/qa72563a039-3852-4932-aecb-71ab0eb2b95e
ACMA.06-050
ACMA
Record ID
ebl-1503511501993-1503511502009-0