Eunice Parsons papers
Scope and Contents
The Eunice Parsons papers encompass not only Eunice Parsons’ long and influential career as a Portland artist, but also the inner workings of the Portland art community from the early 1950s through to the present day. It contains Parsons’ manuscripts from her endeavors as an author, fliers from a variety of Portland artists, photographs and slides from her teaching career, samples of her art and sketchbooks, professional papers, and a great wealth of correspondence in the form of Christmas cards from many of the most famous Portland artists.
Dates
- Creation: 1931-2016
Creator
- Parsons, Eunice (Person)
Language of Materials
The materials are primarily in English. There are several instances of the materials referencing or being written in French or Italian.
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Library acts as “fair use” reproduction agent.
For further information, see the section on copyright in the Regulations and Procedures of the Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library.
Copyright Information: Before material from collections at Willamette University Archives and Special Collections may be quoted in print, or otherwise reproduced, in whole or in part, in any publication, permission must be obtained from (1) the owner of the physical property, and (2) the holder of the copyright. It is the particular responsibility of the researcher to obtain both sets of permission. Persons wishing to quote from materials in any collections held by University Archives and Special Collections should consult the University Archivist. Reproduction of any item must contain a complete citation to the original.
Biographical Note
Eunice Parsons was born in 1916 in Loma, Colorado but spent most of her young life in Chicago. When she was a young girl, she attended children’s classes at the University of Chicago where she learned an appreciation for art, as well as the skills that would allow her to pursue a career in the field later in life. After graduating high school, Parsons attended a few art classes from the University of Chicago. Soon after, Parsons married and moved to Portland along with her new husband. She spent the next two decades as a working mother. In the 1940s she began taking classes at the Portland Museum Art School. Shortly after, in 1957, she took a trip to New York to acquaint and immerse herself in the culture of art. Parsons took a sketchbook where she made exhaustive notes and depicted many landscapes. This notebook showcases her earliest inclinations in playing with color, line, and shading, all developing into a unique and distinctive style. After returning from New York, Parsons continued her career as an artist and eventually began teaching at the Portland Museum Art School. While teaching, she became notorious as a blunt but brilliant instructor and would lead numerous student trips to Europe and the birthplaces of western art. In 2006 Parsons, along with others, was instrumental in opening the 12x16 Gallery in Portland. In 2017 she continues to be an influential and prolific artist at the age of 100.
Extent
8 Linear Feet (13 boxes)
Overview
The Eunice Parsons papers consist of artworks, professional papers, letters, Christmas cards, photographs, and other material related to her life from 1931 to 2016.
Arrangement
This collection is arranged into six series: Manuscripts, Exhibit Fliers, Audio/Visual Materials, Artworks, Professional Papers/Museum Art School, and Correspondence. The arrangement is a combination of imposed chronological order with a respect for the original order upon donation.
Physical Location
Mark O. Hatfield Library
Subject
- Hallie Ford Museum of Art (Organization)
- Dodson, Betty (Person)
- Izquierdo, Manuel, 1925-2009 (Person)
- Krause, LaVerne, 1924-1987 (Person)
- Bunce, Louis, 1907-1983 (Person)
- Johanson, George, 1928- (Person)
- Portland Art Museum (Or.) (Organization)
- LaDuke, Betty (Person)
Genre / Form
Geographic
Technique
Topical
- Title
- Guide to the Eunice Parsons papers, 1931-2016
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Finding aid processed by McKelvey Mandigo-Stoba.
- Date
- © 2016
- Description rules
- Dacs
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English.
- Sponsor
- A special thank you to Sybil Westenhouse for investing in experiential learning through the Sybil Westenhouse Archives Excellence Fund.
Repository Details
Part of the Willamette University Archives and Special Collections Collection Descriptions
Mark O. Hatfield Library
900 State Street
Salem Oregon 97301 United States
archives@willamette.edu