The collection is arranged as ten series. Series 1: Biographical Materials, 1966-1988 (0.25 linear feet; Boxes 1, 19) Series 2: Correspondence, 1967-1992 (1.25 linear feet; Boxes 1-2, 18) Series 3: Interviews, 1971-circa 1980s (6 folders; Boxes 2, 18) Series 4: Writings and Notes, 1958-circa 1990 (4.25 linear feet; Boxes 2-6, 19) Series 5: Diaries, 1977-1989 (6 folders; Box 6) Series 6: University of California, Irvine, 1960-1991 (4.8 linear feet; Boxes 6-11, OV 20) Series 7: Subject Files, circa 1960-1990 (4.25 linear feet; Boxes 11-15, 18) Series 8: Printed Material, 1960s-1980s (1.8 linear feet; Boxes 15-16, 19) Series 9: Artwork, circa 1960s-circa 1980s (3 folders; Boxes 17, 19) Series 10: Photographs, 1960s-1980s (0.6 linear feet; Boxes 17, 19)
Access Note / Rights:
Use of original papers requires an appointment. Use of archival audiovisual recordings with no duplicate access copy requires advance notice.
Summary:
The papers of California art historian, writer, instructor, and curator, Melinda Wortz (1940-2002) date from 1958-1992, and measure 17.45 linear feet. The collection includes documentation of Wortz's tenure at the University of California, Irvine (UCI), where she specialized in collecting and presenting the California "light and space" artists during the 1970s and 1980s. Wortz's papers include biographical information, personal and professional correspondence, interview transcripts and sound recordings, professional and student writings and notes, diaries of five trips abroad, UCI administrative, dossier, and teaching files, general subject and artist files, printed material, several pieces of artwork; and photographs.
Citation:
Melinda Wortz papers, 1958-1992. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.
Funding:
Support for the processing of this collection was provided by the Smithsonian's Collections Care Pool Fund.
Use Note:
The Archives of American Art makes its archival collections available for non-commercial, educational and personal use unless restricted by copyright and/or donor restrictions, including but not limited to access and publication restrictions. AAA makes no representations concerning such rights and restrictions and it is the user's responsibility to determine whether rights or restrictions exist and to obtain any necessary permission to access, use, reproduce and publish the collections. Please refer to the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for additional information.
Biography Note:
California art historian, writer, instructor, and curator, Melinda Wortz (1940-2002), taught at the University of California, Irvine, from 1975, serving as Director of UCI's Fine Arts Gallery and Chair of the Department of Studio Art. Wortz's special area of interest was the work of the California "light and space" artists emerging in Los Angeles in the 1970s.
Language Note:
The collection is in English.
Provenance:
The collection was donated by Edward C. Wortz, Melinda Wortz's husband, in 1994.
Location Note:
Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution, 750 9th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20001