Robin Tewes papers, 1950-2016

Biographical material dates from 1950-2012 and includes addresses, an astrological reading, certificates, childhood artwork and writings, diplomas and school records, family clippings, a lease to Fifth Street Gallery, marriage and birth announcements, and a few writings by Tewes and about Tewes. Tewes' writings mostly date from her time as a student at Hunter College, but there are a few artist statements as well.

Correspondence dates from circa 1970-2016 and includes both personal and professional correspondence. Many letters exchanged between Tewes and her family capture details of her early life, especially reflections from trips abroad. There are also many detailed letters from Tewes' longtime friend, the writer Beverly Donofrio. Notes and personalized exhibition announcements from artists are also found here and include Andrea Belag, Vija Celmins, Petah Coyne, Ilona Granet, Mark Innerst, Joyce Kozloff, Ruth Marten, Mark Tansey, Marcia Tucker, Martha Wilson, and Nina Yankowitz. Professional correspondence is with galleries, museums, and various art organizations regarding exhibitions, benefits, and residencies.

Nine notebooks date from 2007-2015 and include scattered notes, lists, doodles, sketchbooks, reflections, travel itineraries, names, and addresses.

Project files date from circa 1975-2015 and include material from a number of personal projects, illustration commissions, and professional activities. Files include proposals and mock-ups for artist books, sketches and logistical details for installations, applications and correspondence relating to grants and residencies, and material relating to the artist run Fifth Street Gallery and Painting Studio 122 (P.S. 122). There are also several files relating to the activities of the Guerrilla Girls, including correspondence, exhibition material, and printed material.

Teaching files date from 1997-2015 and include correspondence, syllabi, assignments, and student evaluations from Tewes' positions at Bard College, Hunter College, Pace University, and a few others school where Tewes' taught as adjunct professor. While teaching at Pace University, Tewes earned a graduate degree in teaching. Material relating to the degree and her student teaching work is included here.

Personal business records date from circa 1975-2010 and consist of a card index of Tewes' work detailing the title, size, date, and price of paintings alongside a photographic slide. Price lists, inventories, agreements, and one folder relating to her father's business are also found here.

Printed material dates from circa 1970-2015 and includes announcements, books by Tewes, books featuring illustrations by Tewes, exhibition catalogs, and other published material documenting Tewes' career and the many exhibitions featuring her work. There are also several folders of source material consisting of clippings from magazines which Tewes had arranged by subjects including backgrounds, faces, presidents, rooms, and textures.

Photographic material dates from circa 1958-2015 and includes photographs of Tewes at all stages of life with family, friends, and in her studio. Several decades of Tewes' artworks are also documented here, as well as several exhibition installations. Formats include black and white and color photographic prints, digital photographs, negatives, transparencies, and slides.

Artwork dates from circa 1950-2015 and includes a hand drawn animation made while Tewes was still a high school student, early illustration and design work, several Rorschach inkblot experiments, a folder of collaged traffic related clippings, as well as hundreds of preliminary pencil drawings for paintings. Photographic printouts used as source material are also found in these folders.

Nine sketchbooks date from circa 1984-2010. Some books are unique artist's books in which Tewes explores a theme throughout, while others are more typical sketchbooks filled with preliminary sketches and ideas. The three sketchbooks in Box 9 all use the Rorschach inkblot as the basis for additional drawing. Media includes pencil, paint, collage, pen, ink, tape, and cut paper.

Artifacts contain a dress worn by Tewes' mother while posing for a painting in 2009 and five small paintbrushes dating from circa 2000.