Rediscovering John W. Rhoden: Processing, Cataloging, Rehousing, and Digitizing the John W. Rhoden papers

FAIN: PW-264025-19

Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (Philadelphia, PA 19102-1424)
Hoang Tran (Project Director: July 2018 to present)

The processing and digitization of 15 linear feet of personal papers of John W. Rhoden, an African American sculptor who was active in the New York Abstract and Figurative Expressionism movements. Activities will include arrangement, description, rehousing, and cataloging of photographs, sketchbooks, drawings, correspondence, and materials related to Rhoden’s exhibitions, awards, travels, and commissions. Up to 5,000 items will be digitized and hosted on the website of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts.

A project to process, catalog, rehouse, digitize and provide online access to the papers of John W. Rhoden (1918-2001), a highly talented but under-recognized 20th century African American artist. The project will help ensure the collection is properly preserved for posterity and, at the same time, dramatically improve discovery, access, and use of the unique materials. The papers are not only a scholarly resource for the study of Rhoden’s personal and professional life, but also serve as a visual resource for American modernist sculpture by an African American artist.

Associated Products

John Rhoden Project – Blog Series (34 separate blogs, October 2019 – December 2020) (Blog Post)
Title: John Rhoden Project – Blog Series (34 separate blogs, October 2019 – December 2020)
Author: Kelin Baldridge
Author: Jahna Auerbach
Author: Hoang Tran
Abstract: Monthly blog series highlighting the activities of the Rhoden archives’ project. Includes promotion of workflows, interesting stories, and promoting Rhoden’s life and legacy to the public.
Date: 10/1/2020
Primary URL: https://blog.pafaarchives.org/
Primary URL Description: Archives online blog
Secondary URL: https://blog.pafaarchives.org/blog/tag/johnrhoden/
Secondary URL Description: Blog posts from the overall PAFA Archives Blog tagged “JohnRhoden”
Blog Title: Meet John Rhoden Happy National Cat Day Rediscovering John Rhoden: Project Update Meet Richenda Rhoden Thank you Veterans Rhoden papers: Weekly Roundup (1 & 2) Merry Christmas from the Rhodens Introducing Lawrence Kay Rhoden papers highlights: Beings Anthropomorphic Project Updated: Where in the World is John Rhoden? Project Update: Digitizing the John Rhoden papers [& follow-up] Rhoden's Circle: Ana Beslic Rhoden papers digitization update: How to digitize books! Rhoden papers: Not So Weekly Roundup Rhoden's Circle: Ásmundur Sveinsson Rhoden papers discovery: Penn Station South development An interesting find in the Rhoden papers! Update: Rhoden papers [4 blogs] Rhoden papers: Why was John in the Soviet Union? Treasure in the Rhoden papers A Tale of Perseverance in the Rhoden papers NEH Grant Project Update Rhoden Papers: Working From Home Rhoden Papers: Recent Discoveries Rhoden’s Workspaces Visual Culture in the Rhoden papers - Part 1: Richenda Part 2: John [2 add'l blogs]
Website: PAFA Archives Blog

Dr. Brittany Webb: John Rhoden’s Public Art (Art At Noon, 4-8-2020); Hoang Tran and Dr. Brittany Webb: Artists Papers: Building Legacy Through Archives (PAFA Pours, 6-18-2020) (Film/TV/Video Broadcast or Recording)
Title: Dr. Brittany Webb: John Rhoden’s Public Art (Art At Noon, 4-8-2020); Hoang Tran and Dr. Brittany Webb: Artists Papers: Building Legacy Through Archives (PAFA Pours, 6-18-2020)
Writer: n/a
Director: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Producer: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Abstract: Art at Noon series are one-hour events (free for all) held on Wednesdays that feature discussions and lectures with scholars and artists covering topics related to PAFA’s exhibitions and collections. The video here is of Dr. Brittany Webb (PAFA's Curator of Modern Art) lecturing on John Rhoden’s Public Art, at the Zoomed Art at Noon on 4-8-2020. PAFA Pours is a series of one-hour presentations featuring artists, curators, and scholars on a topic of interest. Free for PAFA Museum members; $7 others. The video here is of PAFA Archivist Hoang Tran and PAFA's Curator of Modern Art Brittany Webb, PhD, on the subject: Artists Papers: Building Legacy Through Archives, at the Zoomed PAFA Pours on 6-18-2020. Both series were held online during the pandemic.
Year: 2020
Primary URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PjYlD58Loo&t=2s
Primary URL Description: Youtube video of PAFA Archivist Hoang Tran and PAFA's Curator of Modern Art Brittany Webb, PhD, on the subject: Artists Papers: Building Legacy Through Archives, at the Zoomed PAFA Pours on 6-18-2020.
Secondary URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OB2eTIzVgkg&t=3s
Secondary URL Description: Youtube video of Dr. Brittany Webb (PAFA's Curator of Modern Art) lecturing on John Rhoden’s Public Art, at the Zoomed Art at Noon on 4-8-2020.
Access Model: Youtube (free access)
Format: Digital File
Format: Web

Rediscovering John Rhoden: Digital Archives (Web Resource)
Title: Rediscovering John Rhoden: Digital Archives
Author: Hoang Tran
Author: Kelin Baldrige
Author: Jahna Auerbach
Abstract: Online website providing information about the life and legacy of John Rhoden. Images and documents that populate the site were part of the digitization project.
Year: 2021
Primary URL: https://johnrhoden.pafaarchives.org/
Primary URL Description: Online website providing information about the life and legacy of John Rhoden. Images and documents that populate the site were part of the digitization project.

John Rhoden papers (Database/Archive/Digital Edition)
Title: John Rhoden papers
Author: Hoang Tran
Author: Kelin Baldridge
Author: Jahna Auerbach
Abstract: The John Rhoden papers consists of materials from Rhoden’s personal and professional life, including manuscripts, photographs, negatives, slides, and ephemera related to Rhoden’s exhibitions. A majority of the collection has been digitized and accessible online.
Year: 2021
Primary URL: https://pafaarchives.org/item-set/48010
Primary URL Description: URL to all digitized items from the John Rhoden papers (4,177 items)
Access Model: Open access

Finding Aid for the John Rhoden papers (Catalog)
Title: Finding Aid for the John Rhoden papers
Author: Hoang Tran
Author: Kelin Baldridge
Author: Jahna Auerbach
Abstract: The papers of John Walter Rhoden (1916-2001) date from 1920-2001 and measure 22 linear feet. The papers reflect Rhoden’s professional life as a sculptor, teacher, and representative with the United States Department of State and his personal life with wife and artist, Richenda Rhoden. The majority of the collection consists of Rhoden’s professional, travel, and personal photographic materials and professional correspondence. There are also professional contracts and documents as well as personal correspondence, documents, and ephemera, belonging to both John and Richenda Rhoden.
Year: 2021
Primary URL: https://johnrhoden.pafaarchives.org/finding-aid/
Primary URL Description: Online view of finding aid for John Rhoden papers.
Catalog Type: Other
Publisher: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts

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