Archives of American Art
Kevin MacDonald papers
MacDonald, Kevin John, 1946-2006
AAA.macdkevi
Archival Resource Key
8 Linear feet
1958-2006
The papers of Washington, D.C. painter and printmaker Kevin MacDonald measure 8 linear feet, and date from 1958-2006. The collection contains correspondence with friends and colleagues; journals, notebooks, and other writings; printed material; artwork by MacDonald and others; 29 sketchbooks; sound and video recordings; and home movies. Of note are several files regarding his work with the Washington Project for the Arts.
Collection is in English.
Conditions Governing Access
Use of original papers requires an appointment and is limited to the Archives' Washington, D.C. research facility. Use of archival audiovisual recordings with no duplicate access copy requires advance notice.
Preferred Citation
Kevin MacDonald papers, 1958-2006. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.
Scope and Contents
The papers of Washington, D.C. painter and printmaker Kevin MacDonald measure 8 linear feet, and date from 1958-2006. The collection contains correspondence with friends and colleagues; journals, notebooks, and other writings; printed material; artwork by MacDonald and others; 29 sketchbooks; sound and video recordings;, and home movies. Of note are several files regarding his work with the Washington Project for the Arts.
Arrangement
This collection is arranged as 8 series.
Missing Title
- Series 1: Correspondence, 1968-2006 (1.9 linear feet:; Boxes 1-2)
- Series 2: Notebooks and Journals, 1968-2005 (1.3 linear feet; Boxes 2-4)
- Series 3: Writings, 1970s-1999 (0.3 linear feet; Box 4)
- Series 4: Project Files, 1958-2005 (1.1 linear feet; Boxes 4-5, 9)
- Series 5: Printed Material, circa 1970-2004 (1.0 linear foot; Boxes 5-6, 9)
- Series 6: Artwork, 1960s-2000s (0.5 linear feet; Boxes 6, 9)
- Series 7: Sketchbooks, circa 1969-2006 (1.1 linear feet; Boxes 6-7, 9)
- Series 8: Sound Recordings and Moving Images, circa 1970s-1990s (0.8 linear feet; Boxes 7-8, FC 10-12)
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donated in 2012 by Robin Moore, Kevin MacDonald's widow.
Terms of Use
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.
Processing Information
The collection was processed to a minimal level and a finding aid prepared by Erin Kinhart in 2014-2015. The collection has been minimally rearranged and retains the existing/original folder titles when possible. All materials have been rehoused in archival folders and boxes for long-term stability, but often staples and other fasteners have not been removed. Materials within folders have not been rearranged. Motion picture film reels were inspected and re-housed in 2017 with funding provided by the Smithsonian Collections Care and Preservation Fund.
Biographical / Historical
Kevin MacDonald (1946-2006) was a painter and printmaker in Washington, D.C. He received a BFA from George Washington University in 1969, and also took courses at the Corcoran Gallery of Art. From 1967 to 1977 he worked at the Phillips Collection. After leaving the Phillips he worked full-time as an artist, taking an active role in the D.C. arts community. He was co-curator of "The Washington Show" at the Corcoran Gallery of Art in 1986, and served on the Board of Directors for both the Washington Project for the Arts (1986-1992) and Washington Area Lawyers for the Arts (1991-1997). MacDonald regularly exhibited his work at the Lunn Gallery and David Adamson Gallery, and had artist residencies at the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts (1995) and Oglebay Institute (1993). MacDonald also had an interest in music, and served as art director of a short-lived music fanzine called "Infiltrator." He was in Twisted Teenage Plot, a band organized by fellow artist Michael Clark, and worked with artist and musician Robin Rose on a collaboration called "Scriptronics." He lived most of his life in Silver Spring, Maryland, a suburb of D.C., and was married to art consultant Robin Moore.
Sound recordings
Video recordings
Painters -- Washington (D.C.)
Printmakers -- Washington (D.C.)
Notebooks
Motion pictures (visual works)
Diaries
Sketchbooks
Washington Project for the Arts (D.C.)
Correspondence
Series 1
Archival Resource Key
1.9 Linear feet
Boxes 1-2
1968-2006
Scope and Contents
Correspondence, mostly of a personal nature, is with friends and fellow artists. Included are many handmade holiday and greeting cards, mail art, and illustrated letters. Much of MacDonald's correspondence with friends extends over two decades or more. Of note is correspondence with artists Wilfred Brunner, Michael Clark, Don Cook, Joe Holbach, Susan Kaprov, and Dana Zed.
A, Miscellaneous
Archival Resource Key
1987-2002
1
1
Bisese, Eddie and Liza Kirwin
Archival Resource Key
1992-2002
1
2
Bodnarchuk, Raya
Archival Resource Key
1983-1996
1
3
Brunner, Wilfred and Joyce Jewell
Archival Resource Key
circa 1976-1997
1
4
B, Miscellaneous
Archival Resource Key
1988-2001
1
5
Chavanat, Damien
Archival Resource Key
1992-2001
1
6
Clark, Michael
Archival Resource Key
1974-2003
undated
1
7-8
Cook, Don
Archival Resource Key
circa 1980s-2004
1
9-10
C, Miscellaneous
Archival Resource Key
1981-2005
1
11
D, Miscellaneous
Archival Resource Key
1975-2006
1
12
F, Miscellaneous
Archival Resource Key
1982-1984
1
13
G, Miscellaneous
Archival Resource Key
1977-2006
1
14
Holbach, Joe
Archival Resource Key
circa 1974-1998
1
15-19
H, Miscellaneous
Archival Resource Key
1981-2006
1
20
J-K, Miscellaneous
Archival Resource Key
1984-1988
2005
1
21
Kaprov, Susan
Archival Resource Key
1971-2000
1
22-29
Leary, Mary
Archival Resource Key
1977-1999
1
30-33
Littlefield, Cynthia
Archival Resource Key
1988-1996
1
34
L, Miscellaneous
Archival Resource Key
1982
circa 2002
1
35
M, Miscellaneous
Archival Resource Key
1977-circa 2000
1
36
Nelson, Cathie France
Archival Resource Key
circa 1968-1984
1
37-40
Nelson, Cathie France
Archival Resource Key
1985-1990
2
1
Nelson, Cathie France
Archival Resource Key
undated
2
2
N-R, Miscellaneous
Archival Resource Key
1978-2001
2
3
Stahlhuth, Harold Val
Archival Resource Key
1975-1979
2
4
S, Miscellaneous
Archival Resource Key
circa 1986-2004
2
5
W, Miscellaneous
Archival Resource Key
1976-2000
2
6
Yelloz, Catherine
Archival Resource Key
1994-2002
2
7
Zed, Dana Smith
Archival Resource Key
1980-2005
2
8-21
Zimmerman, Peter
Archival Resource Key
1982-2005
2
22-25
Outgoing Letters (Copies)
Archival Resource Key
2004
1971-1999
2
26-27
First Names Only and Unidentified
Archival Resource Key
circa 1976-2006
2
28-29
Notebooks and Journals
Series 2
Archival Resource Key
1.3 Linear feet
Boxes 2-4
1968-2005
Scope and Contents
Journals and notebooks contain various writings by Kevin MacDonald. Journals mostly include dated entries containing thoughts on his life and art. Some poetry is also included. Other notebooks contain poetry, travel logs, ideas and sketchs for artwork, and thoughts on art.
Arrangement
Journals are arranged in chronological order followed by titled notebooks. Other notebooks are arranged in rough chronological order at the end of the series.
Journal
Archival Resource Key
1968-1970
2
30
Journal
Archival Resource Key
1971-1972
2
31
Journal
Archival Resource Key
1972
2
32
Journal
Archival Resource Key
1972-1976
3
1
Journal
Archival Resource Key
1976-1977
3
2
Journal
Archival Resource Key
1977-1978
3
3
Journal
Archival Resource Key
1978-1979
3
4
Journal
Archival Resource Key
1979
3
5
Journal
Archival Resource Key
1980-1981
3
6
Journal
Archival Resource Key
1982
3
7
Journal
Archival Resource Key
1982-1983
3
8
Journal
Archival Resource Key
1983
3
9
Journal
Archival Resource Key
1982-1984
3
10
Journal
Archival Resource Key
1984-1985
3
11
Journal
Archival Resource Key
1985-1987
3
12
Journal
Archival Resource Key
1988-1991
3
13
Journal
Archival Resource Key
1991-2005
3
14
Notebook, "Four (4) Short Poems"
Archival Resource Key
undated
3
15
Notebook, "Frances and Kevin in New Mexico"
Archival Resource Key
2000
3
16
Notebook, "Idea & Workbook"
Archival Resource Key
1982-1987
3
17
Notebook, "Idea & Workbook"
Archival Resource Key
1987-1994
3
18
Notebook, "Idea & Workbook"
Archival Resource Key
1994-2001
3
19
Notebook, Income and Expenses
Archival Resource Key
1974-1980
3
20
Notebook, "Travel Book"
Archival Resource Key
circa 1977-1982
3
21
Notebook, "Travel Book"
Archival Resource Key
1982-1995
3
22
Notebook
Archival Resource Key
1968
3
23
Notebook
Archival Resource Key
1970
3
24
Notebook
Archival Resource Key
circa 1970
4
1
Notebook
Archival Resource Key
circa 1971
4
2
Notebook
Archival Resource Key
1974
4
3
Notebook
Archival Resource Key
circa 1994
4
4
Notebook
Archival Resource Key
circa 2000-2005
4
5
Notebook
Archival Resource Key
undated
4
6
Notebook
Archival Resource Key
undated
4
7
Writings
Series 3
Archival Resource Key
0.3 Linear feet
Box 4
1970s-1999
Scope and Contents
Writings are by Kevin MacDonald and others. MacDonalds writings include many notes on art and philosophy, performance ideas, song lyrics and poetry. Also found are a few draft essays and talks. Writings by others include poetry and creative writing pieces.
Essay, "The Washington Show"
Archival Resource Key
circa 1985
4
8
Miscellaneous Writings
Archival Resource Key
1970s
4
9
Notes
Archival Resource Key
1975-1976
4
10
Notes on I-Ching and Tarot
Archival Resource Key
circa 1983-1994
4
11
Notes on Painting
Archival Resource Key
circa 1980s
4
12
Notes on Philosophy and Creativity
Archival Resource Key
circa 1980s
4
13
Performance Ideas
Archival Resource Key
circa 1980s-1993
4
14
Poetry
Archival Resource Key
circa 1970s-1990s
4
15
Song Lyrics
Archival Resource Key
circa 1980-1985
4
16
Talk, "Bringing Art Home: Surviving Outside of New York"
Archival Resource Key
undated
4
17
Talk on Carroll Sockwell
Archival Resource Key
1999
4
18
Talk on Carroll Sockwell
Writings on Lewes, Delaware
Archival Resource Key
1979
4
19
"Pictures From Seurat," Poems by Bob Wickless
Archival Resource Key
circa 1994
4
20
Writings by Joe Holbach
Archival Resource Key
circa 1970s-1980s
4
21
Writings by Others
Archival Resource Key
1977-1980s
4
22
Project Files
Series 4
Archival Resource Key
1.1 Linear feet
Boxes 4-5, 9
1958-2005
Scope and Contents
Found here are Kevin MacDonald's files regarding his various projects as a professional artist. Included are files on project ideas, research, proposals, commissions, artist-in-residence, and exhibitions. Of note are his files on the Washington Project for the Arts, for which he served on the Board of Directors, and exhibition files for "The Washington Show," which he co-curated at the Corcoran Gallery of Art.
Artist-in-Residence, Wheeling, West Virginia
Archival Resource Key
1993
4
23
Bookworks
Archival Resource Key
1986-1991
4
24
Corcoran Gallery of Art
Archival Resource Key
1980-1982
4
25
Dinner at Herbs
Archival Resource Key
circa 1990
4
26
Don Cook Projects and Proposals
Archival Resource Key
circa 1989-1996
4
27-28
Emblemata du Coeur
Archival Resource Key
undated
4
29
Exhibition, "Public Space/Public Place"
Archival Resource Key
circa 1980-1995
4
30-31
Exhibition, "The Washington Show"
Archival Resource Key
1984-1985
4
32-35
Exhibition Installation Photographs
Archival Resource Key
circa 1982
4
36
Faces of the Fallen Memorial
Archival Resource Key
2005
4
37
Infiltrator Magazine
Archival Resource Key
1979
4
38
History of Silver Spring
Archival Resource Key
1958-2003
5
1-4
Montgomery College Teaching Records
Archival Resource Key
circa 1999
5
5
Mythology and Celtic History
Archival Resource Key
circa 1971-1990s
5
6
Patti Smith Fan Club
Archival Resource Key
1976-1977
5
7
"Physics" Performance and Book
Archival Resource Key
circa 1993
5
8
Project Ideas and Proposals
Archival Resource Key
circa 1991-2005
5
9
Research
Archival Resource Key
circa 1970s-1990s
5
10
Source Photographs and Images
Archival Resource Key
circa 1990s
5
11
Washington Area Lawyers for the Arts
Archival Resource Key
1986
5
12
Washington Project for the Arts
Archival Resource Key
1986-1992
5
13-17
Scope and Contents
Oversized material housed in Box 9, Folder 2
Washington Project for the Arts, Botswana
Archival Resource Key
circa 1986-1988
5
18
Washington Project for the Arts, Cabaret Re-Voltaire
Archival Resource Key
1992
Includes 1 videocassette (VHS)
5
19-20
Oversized, Washington Circle Gallery of Fine Art
Archival Resource Key
undated
9
1
Oversized, Washington Project for the Arts, from Box 5, Folder 13
Archival Resource Key
circa 1981
9
2
Printed Material
Series 5
Archival Resource Key
1 Linear foot
Boxes 5-6, 9
circa 1970-2004
Scope and Contents
Printed material includes exhibition catalogs, announcements, and invitiations, as well as magazines and news clippings about MacDonald and other Washington, D.C. artists. Additionally, there are several zines and photocopied event flyers containing artwork by MacDonald. Also of note is a published booklet about the experimental music and art collaboration between Kevin MacDonald and Robin Rose called "Scriptronics."
Booklet, "Scriptronics"
Archival Resource Key
circa 1981
5
21
Event Flyers
Archival Resource Key
1980s-1990s
5
22
Exhibition Announcements and Invitations
Archival Resource Key
circa 1976-2004
5
23-25
Exhibition Catalogs
Archival Resource Key
circa 1974-2002
5
26-28
Exhibition Catalogs
Archival Resource Key
circa 1978-2002
6
1
Magazines
Archival Resource Key
1981-2000
6
2-3
Scope and Contents
Oversized material housed in Box 9, Folder 3
Miscellaneous Printed Material
Archival Resource Key
circa 1970-1992
6
4
News Clippings
Archival Resource Key
1982-2002
6
5
News Clippings regarding Physics
Archival Resource Key
circa 1996-2003
6
6
Newsletters
Archival Resource Key
circa 2000
6
7
Zine, 11th Street Ruse
Archival Resource Key
circa 1992-1996
6
8
Zine, Abortion
Archival Resource Key
circa 1978-1980
6
9
Zine, Infiltrator
Archival Resource Key
1979
6
10
Scope and Contents
Oversized material housed in Box 9, Folder 4
Zines, Miscellaneous
Archival Resource Key
1980-1981
6
11
Oversized Magazine, Washington Review, from Box 6, Folder 2
Archival Resource Key
1989
9
3
Oversized Zine, Infiltrator, from Box 6, Folder 10
Archival Resource Key
1979
9
4
Artwork
Series 6
Archival Resource Key
0.5 Linear feet
Boxes 6, 9
1960s-2000s
Scope and Contents
Artwork by Kevin MacDonald includes drawings and paintings used as preliminary studies for finished works, handmade Christmas cards, collages, "xerox books," and original collages that were used for event flyers. Also found is one paintbrush belonging to MacDonald. Additionally there are collages, art books, and watercolors by other artists including friend Joe Holbach.
Book Illustrations
Archival Resource Key
undated
6
12
Christmas and Greeting Cards
Archival Resource Key
circa 1970s-2000s
6
13
Collages
Archival Resource Key
circa 1979
6
14
Scope and Contents
Oversized material housed in Box 9, Folder 5
Color Studies
Archival Resource Key
circa 1970s
6
15-16
Drawings
Archival Resource Key
circa 1960s-1970s
undated
6
17-18
Drawings and Paintings
Archival Resource Key
circa 1970s
undated
6
19-20
Scope and Contents
Oversized material housed in Box 9, Folder 6
Drawings for Brandeis Art Exhibit
Archival Resource Key
undated
6
21
Oil Pastel Drawings
Archival Resource Key
undated
6
22
Original Flyers (Collage)
Archival Resource Key
1970s-1980s
6
23
Paintbrush
Archival Resource Key
undated
6
24
Xerox Books
Archival Resource Key
1975-1990
6
25-26
Xerox Book Pages and Collages
Archival Resource Key
1970s-1990s
6
27
Joe Holbach, "Last Call"
Archival Resource Key
1982
6
28
Joe Holbach, Xerox Books
Archival Resource Key
undated
1991
6
29
Unidentifed Artist, Handmade Book
Archival Resource Key
undated
6
30
Artwork by Others
Archival Resource Key
circa 1970s-1990s
6
31
Scope and Contents
Oversized material housed in Box 9, Folder 7
Oversized Collages, from Box 6, Folder 14
Archival Resource Key
circa 1994
9
5
Oversized Drawings and Paintings, from Box 6, Folder 19
Archival Resource Key
undated
9
6
Oversized Artwork by Others, from Box 6, Folder 31
Archival Resource Key
1975-1981
9
7
Sketchbooks
Series 7
Archival Resource Key
1.1 Linear feet
Boxes 6-7, 9
circa 1969-2006
Scope and Contents
Twenty-nine sketchbooks belonging to Kevin MacDonald depict preliminary ideas and studies for finished works. Sketches are in pencil, ink, colored pencil, watercolor, and pastel.
Sketchbooks
Archival Resource Key
undated
6
32-34
Sketchbooks
Archival Resource Key
undated
7
1-11
Sketchbook
Archival Resource Key
circa 1969
7
12
Sketchbook
Archival Resource Key
1970-1975
7
13
Sketchbook
Archival Resource Key
1979
7
14
Sketchbook
Archival Resource Key
1988-1990
7
15
Sketchbook
Archival Resource Key
1990-1993
7
16
Sketchbook
Archival Resource Key
1993
7
17
Sketchbook
Archival Resource Key
2000s
7
18
Sketchbook
Archival Resource Key
2006
7
19
Oversized Sketchbooks
Archival Resource Key
undated
9
8-9
Oversized Sketchbook
Archival Resource Key
1992
9
10
Sound Recordings and Moving Images
Series 8
Archival Resource Key
0.8 Linear feet
Boxes 7-8, FC 10-12
circa 1970s-1990s
Scope and Contents
Found here is one videocassette containing two interviews with Kevin MacDonald. Also found are 14 sound cassettes containing music by Kevin MacDonald and others. Of note is a cassette containing recordings of MacDonald's band Twisted Teenage Plot and a live recording of Scriptronics, his experimental music collaboration with artist Robin Rose. Additionally, there are three silent, Super 8 mm film reels of home movies showing a farm, a home, and a band playing.
Interviews with Kevin MacDonald
Archival Resource Key
1 Videocassettes (VHS)
undated
7
20
"Dana - I Wish You Could Hear the Piano"
Archival Resource Key
1 Sound cassette
1980s
8
1
Scope and Contents
Cassette label lists music by Brian Eno and David Byrne, selections from Teenage Jesus and the Jerks and DNA, and four untitled compositions by Michael [illegible] and Dale Scott
Frankel MacDonald Rose, Patti Smith "Live In London"
Archival Resource Key
1 Sound cassette
circa 1976
8
2
Ilab
Archival Resource Key
1 Sound cassette
undated
8
3
Kevin & Judith: String Duo
Archival Resource Key
1 Sound cassette
undated
8
4
LA Conversation
Archival Resource Key
1 Sound cassette
undated
8
5
Rose/Clark/MacDonald
Archival Resource Key
1 Sound cassette
1981
8
6
Russolo's Revenge
Archival Resource Key
1 Sound cassette
undated
8
7
Scriptronics Live: New Music America, Scriptronics Sampler
Archival Resource Key
1 Sound cassette
1980s
8
8
Spontaneous Human Combustion
Archival Resource Key
1 Sound cassette
undated
8
9
Solemn French Choirboys, "This is the Order"
Archival Resource Key
1 Sound cassette
undated
8
10
Twisted Teenage Plot
Archival Resource Key
1 Sound cassette
1980s
8
11
Urban Verbs
Archival Resource Key
1 Sound cassette
undated
8
12
Urban Verbs at Cellar Door 2/28/79, Blondie, John Lennon
Archival Resource Key
1 Sound cassette
1979
8
13
Urban Verbs at Corcoran Ball
Archival Resource Key
1 Sound cassette
1978
8
14
Home Movie: Rock Band
Archival Resource Key
1 Film reel
Super 8mm
circa 1977
FC 10
Home Movie: Band and Farm
Archival Resource Key
1 Film reel
Super 8mm
circa 1977
FC 11
Home Movie: Interior and Exterior, House
Archival Resource Key
1 Film reel
Super 8mm
circa 1977
FC 12