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John Pitman Weber papers

 Collection
Identifier: MSS 736

Scope and Contents

This collection includes writings and exhibition materials by and about John Pitman Weber primarily related to public art, peace, and social justice activism. Also includes materials related to Mexican-American and Puerto Rican artists working in Chicago such as Carlos Cortez and the groups MARCH and MIRA. Includes materials related to organizations such as LADO-Chicago (Latin American Defense Organization) and "Artists Call" (Artists Call Against U.S. Intervention in Central America).M aterials document events such as Humbolt Park neighborhood protests in reaction to a proposed demolition of the mural, "Breaking the Chains" at 1456 N. Rockwell Ave in 1978. Includes copies and some originals of published writings by Weber. Also includes a few original brochures by the Chicago Mural Group and the Chicago Public Art Group; originals and photocopies of exhibition flyers, cards, catalogs as well as artist statements explaining the social and political impetus behind the exhibits. Publications that feature Weber's work are also included, e.g. the publication titled, "Cry for Justice".

Dates

  • Creation: 1971-2008

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Access

The material is stored off site. Please request 3 working days in advance if you wish to use it.

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright is retained by the authors of the items in this collection, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law. For photocopy and duplication requests, please contact the Stephen O. Murray and Keelung Hong Special Collections, Michigan State University Libraries.

Biographical / Historical

John Pitman Weber is an artist, writer, and Professor Emeritus, Elmhurst College. Weber graduated from Harvard University in 1964, studied in Paris at the Ecole Nationale Superieure des Beaux Arts and studied printmaking at Atelier 17, Paris. He received his MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 1968. As co-founder of the Chicago Public Art Group, he was invovled in many of the social movements in Chicago claiming relevancy for minorities, peace and justice. He has exhibited and written extensively on public art and is co-author, along with Eva and James Cockcroft, of the book, "Toward A People's Art." His paintings, murals, mosaics, carvings, and collaborative public projects have been created and exhibited internationally. His writings on art have appeared in publications such as Art Journal and New Art Examiner. Since the early 1980s, he has had solo exhibitions almost annually and has led numerous collaborative public art workshops and projects. His art is in collections internationally and can also be found at various Chicago locations including the Sabin School, Beth-Ann Senior Housing, and the Aids Foundation in the South Loop. Items in this collection underscore his accomplishments both as a writer and as a mural artist, and highlight his work and concerns for community, peace, and social justice.

Extent

.8 Linear Feet (2 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Arrangement

This collection is arranged alphabetically by subject.

Custodial History

This collection was originally housed at the Julian Samora Library at the Institute for Latino Studies, University of Norte Dame. It was transferred to Stephen O. Murray and Keelung Hong Special Collections at MSU Libraries in 2019.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The collection was transferred from the Julian Samora Library at the Institute for Latino Studies, University of Notre Dame in 2019.

Processing Information

Chiayi Tsui and Tracy Grimm processed this collection in 2012 at the University of Norte Dame. The original collection identifier was MS.2008.7. Imported and revised by Andrea McMillan in 2021.

Title
Finding Aid for the John Pitman Weber papers
Status
4 Published And Cataloged
Author
Andrea McMillan
Date
2021
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the Stephen O. Murray and Keelung Hong Special Collections Repository

Contact:
MSU Libraries
366 W. Circle Drive
East Lansing MI 48823 USA