Archives of American Art
Thomas Morin papers
Morin, Thomas, 1934-
AAA.morithom
Archival Resource Key
4.7 Linear feet
1952-2015
The papers of sculptor and teacher Thomas Morin measure 4.7 linear feet and date from 1952-2015. His career at several universities and art schools as well as his work as a sculptor and metalsmith are documented through biographical material, correspondence, writings, professional files, printed material, and artwork. The bulk of the collection consists of photographs and slides of Morin's artwork and the fabrication process.
Collection is in English.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged as 7 series.
- Series 1: Biographical Material, 1957-circa 2000 (0.1 linear feet; Box 1)
- Series 2: Correspondence, 1954-2015 (0.3 linear feet; Box 1)
- Series 3: Writings, circa 1960s-2008 (0.4 linear feet; Box 1)
- Series 4: Professional Files, 1953-2014 (1.0 linear foot; Boxes 1-2, OV 7)
- Series 5: Printed Material, 1954-circa 2015 (0.7 linear feet; Boxes 2-3, OV 7)
- Series 6: Photographic Material, 1950s-2000s (1.8 linear feet; Boxes 3-5)
- Series 7: Artwork, 1952-1974 (0.4 linear feet; Boxes 5-6)
Conditions Governing Access
Use of original papers requires an appointment.
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.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donated in 2015 by Thomas Morin.
Preferred Citation
Thomas Morin papers, 1952-2015. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.
Biographical / Historical
Thomas Morin (1934- ) is a sculptor, teacher, and metalsmith in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Morin received a degree in Education from Massachusetts College of Art and a Master of Fine Arts degree in Sculpture from Cranbrook Academy of Art. He was an instructor at Cranbrook and Silvermine Guild of Artists, and in 1960 he visited Florence, Italy, to study foundry casting on a Fulbright scholarship. From 1961 to 1979, he taught at the Rhode Island School of Design, and was head of the Department of Sculpture, Ceramics and Glass for nine years. After leaving RISD, Morin served as professor and department head at Akron University (1979-1981), Ohio State University (1981-1986), and West Virginia University (1986-1988). He then served as Vice President and Dean of Academic Affairs at Minneapolis College of Art and Design (1988-1994), and Director of the Schools of Art and Design and American Crafts and Rochester Institute of Technology (1994-1996). Morin was also an active member of the National Council of Art Administrators. During his teaching career, he exhibited and recieved commissions to create sculptures, and wrote for publications on metal casting and foundry technique. He continues to live and work in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Processing Information
The collection was processed and a finding aid prepared by Erin Kinhart in 2016.
Scope and Contents
The papers of sculptor and teacher Thomas Morin measure 4.7 linear feet and date from 1952-2015. His career at several universities and art schools as well as his work as a sculptor and metalsmith are documented through biographical material, correspondence, writings, professional files, printed material, and artwork. The bulk of the collection consists of photographs and slides of Morin's artwork and the fabrication process.
Art teachers -- New Mexico -- Santa Fe
Metal-workers -- New Mexico -- Santa Fe
Photographs
Sculptors -- New Mexico -- Santa Fe
Art -- Study and teaching
Biographical Material
Series 1
Archival Resource Key
0.1 Linear feet
Box 1
1957-circa 2000
Scope and Contents
Biographical material includes one biographical summary about Morin, his selective service records, award certificates, and records of a civil suit regarding the Rhode Island Board of Elections. Also found are photographs, news clippings, and other documentation on Morin's renovation of his house in Coventry, Rhode Island.
Biographical Summary
Archival Resource Key
circa 1990s
1
1
Certificates
Archival Resource Key
1957-1989
1
2
House Renovation, Coventry
Archival Resource Key
1970s
1
3-4
Rhode Island Civil Suit
Archival Resource Key
circa 1972
1
5
Selective Service
Archival Resource Key
1958
1968
1
6
Correspondence
Series 2
Archival Resource Key
0.3 Linear feet
Box 1
1954-2015
Scope and Contents
Found here is Morin's personal correspondence with friends George Bishop and Lawrence Kupferman, as well as professional correspondence, including thank you letters and recommendations written for Morin. Also found are numerous emails and letters from owners of works by Morin in response to his request for descriptions and photographs of artworks. General correspondence is primarily from museums, galleries, universities, and publishers regarding Morin's professional activities. Additional correspondence is included in Series 4: Professional Files.
Bishop, George
Archival Resource Key
1965-1968
1
7
Kupferman, Lawrence
Archival Resource Key
1954-1965
1
8
General Correspondence
Archival Resource Key
1957-1999, 2015
1
9-10
Emails Regarding Photographs of Morin Artwork
Archival Resource Key
2006, 2011-2012
1
11-13
Letters Regarding Photographs of Morin Artwork
Archival Resource Key
2005-2011
1
14-15
Letters of Recommendation for Morin
Archival Resource Key
1959-1994
1
16
Thank You Letters
Archival Resource Key
1964-1992
1
17
Writings
Series 3
Archival Resource Key
0.4 Linear feet
Box 1
circa 1960s-2008
Scope and Contents
Writings include a draft for an unpublished book on casting metal for sculpture, as well as draft chapters for a similar collaborative book project and draft technical writings on foundry practice. Writings are by Morin and colleagues including Jon Lash and Donald Irving. Other writings by Morin include brief artist statements and general notes.
Book Drafts, Casting Metal for Sculpture
Archival Resource Key
circa 1982-1983
1
18-19
Draft Manuscript, "Casting Metal for Sculpture"
Archival Resource Key
1986
1
20-21
Draft, "Foam Vaporization Casting"
Archival Resource Key
1982
1
22
Draft, "Foam Vaporization Casting"
Draft, "Casting Sculpture in Non Art Foundries"
Archival Resource Key
1984 August 3
1
23
Draft, "Self-Set Sand/Wax Meltout"
Archival Resource Key
undated
1
24
Essay, "Understanding the Right Brain in a Left Brain Society"
Archival Resource Key
1981
1
25
Miscellaneous Notes and Lists
Archival Resource Key
circa 1960s-1990s
1
26
Professional and Artist Statements
Archival Resource Key
circa 1967-2008
1
27
Writings by Morin and Others about Foundry Practice
Archival Resource Key
circa 1960s
1
28
Writings about Casting by Others
Archival Resource Key
1984
1
29
Professional Files
Series 4
Archival Resource Key
1 Linear foot
Boxes 1-2, OV 7
1953-2014
Scope and Contents
Professional files document Morin's sculpture commissions, memberships, teaching activities, exhibitions, conferences, and the opening of a studio in New Mexico. Files may include correspondence, photographs, publications, and planning documents. Of note are several files regarding his tenure as a professor and department chair at the Rhode Island School of Design and his work at the Silvermine Guild of Artists.
American Foundrymen's Society
Archival Resource Key
1960s
1
30
Barn Gallery Associates
Archival Resource Key
1966-1976
1
31
Brookfield Craft Center
Archival Resource Key
1965-1968
1
32
Commission, "The Heraldic Arena"
Archival Resource Key
1963-1967
1
33
Commission, John Glenn Sculpture
Archival Resource Key
1962
1
34
Commission, World's Fair New York
Archival Resource Key
1963-1964
1
35
Conferences
Archival Resource Key
1978-1987
1
36
Cranbrook Academy of Art
Archival Resource Key
1953-1961
1
37
Exhibition at Art Unlimited
Archival Resource Key
1963
1
38
Exhibition Records
Archival Resource Key
1967-2000s
1
39
Festival of Soviet Russia in USA
Archival Resource Key
1987
2
1
Ford Foundation Proposal
Archival Resource Key
1963-1964
2
2
Guggenheim Fellowship
Archival Resource Key
1962-1965
2
3
Institute of American Indian Art
Archival Resource Key
1975
2
4
International Casting Conference, Toronto, Captions for Slides
Archival Resource Key
undated
2
5
Louis Comfort Tiffany Foundation
Archival Resource Key
1965-1966
2
6
Minneapolis College of Art and Design
Archival Resource Key
circa 1987-1994
2
7-9
National Council of Art Administrators
Archival Resource Key
circa 1986-1989
2
10
Scope and Contents
Oversized material housed in OV 7
New Mexico Studio and Gallery
Archival Resource Key
1999-2014
2
11
Rhode Island School of Design
Archival Resource Key
1961-1970s
2
12-16
Reuben Nakian Recommendation
Archival Resource Key
1958-1962
2
17
Sculpture Commissions and Proposals
Archival Resource Key
1966-1997
2
18
Scope and Contents
Oversized material housed in OV 7
Silvermine Guild of Artists
Archival Resource Key
1958-1968
2
19-21
University of Akron
Archival Resource Key
circa 1979-1981
2
22
West Virginia University
Archival Resource Key
1986-1988
2
23
Oversized Sculpture Commissions
Archival Resource Key
undated
OV 7
Oversized National Council of Art Administrators
Archival Resource Key
1989-1997
OV 7
Printed Material
Series 5
Archival Resource Key
0.7 Linear feet
Boxes 2-3, OV 7
1954-circa 2015
Scope and Contents
Printed material includes exhibition catalogs and announcements for exhibition of Morin's work; magazines, news clippings, and newsletters mentioning his professional activities; and a large number of Rhode Island School of Design publications from the period that he was head of the sculpture department. Also found are eight self-published books by Morin, primarily containing photographs of his sculptures.
Exhibition Announcements and Catalogs
Archival Resource Key
1954-2010
2
24-26
Scope and Contents
Oversized material housed in OV 7
Magazines
Archival Resource Key
circa 1969-2011
2
27-28
Scope and Contents
Oversized material housed in OV 7
News Clippings
Archival Resource Key
1962-2009
2
29
Newsletters
Archival Resource Key
1966-1988
2
30
Rhode Island School of Design Publications
Archival Resource Key
1962-1973
2
31-32
Self-Published Books
Archival Resource Key
3
"Early Sculpture"
Archival Resource Key
circa 2015
3
1
"Foam Vaporization Sculpture"
Archival Resource Key
circa 2015
3
2
"Icons of Erotic Pagentry and Celebration"
Archival Resource Key
circa 2015
3
3
"New Mexico Mesa Series"
Archival Resource Key
circa 2015
3
4
"Spirit Icon Series"
Archival Resource Key
circa 2015
3
5
"Shield Series"
Archival Resource Key
circa 2015
3
6
"Studies for Monumental Sculpture"
Archival Resource Key
circa 2015
3
7
"Tribal Rug Series"
Archival Resource Key
circa 2015
3
8
Miscellaneous
Archival Resource Key
circa 1970s-1990s
3
9
Oversized Exhibition Announcement
Archival Resource Key
undated
OV 7
Oversized Magazines
Archival Resource Key
1985-2000
OV 7
Photographic Material
Series 6
Archival Resource Key
1.8 Linear feet
Boxes 3-5
1950s-2000s
Scope and Contents
Photographic material depicts artwork by Morin and others. Included are numerous photographs of his work from early to late career, as well as sculpture installations, casting, fabrication, and other foundry work. A few photographs show Morin with his sculptures and working in the foundry. Also found are color transparencies and slides of Morin's artwork and work by colleagues and students.
Thomas Morin with Artwork
Archival Resource Key
circa 1960s-2000s
3
10
Photograph Album of Artwork
Archival Resource Key
circa 2004
3
11
Photograph Albums of Artwork
Archival Resource Key
2002-2004
3
12
Photographs of Artwork
Archival Resource Key
1950s-2000s
3
13-20
Photographs of Artwork
Archival Resource Key
circa 1960s-2000s
4
1-7
Photographs of Artwork Installations
Archival Resource Key
circa 1958-1960s
4
8-9
Photographs of Artwork, Recent Work, Mixed Media
Archival Resource Key
circa 1990s
4
10
Photographs of Artwork, Series
Archival Resource Key
circa 2000s
4
11
Photographs of Artwork by Steve Branch
Archival Resource Key
undated
4
12
Photographs of Foundry Work
Archival Resource Key
circa 1960s
4
13-15
Photographs of Molding and Casting
Archival Resource Key
circa 1960s
4
16-18
Photographs of Sculpture Fabrication
Archival Resource Key
1960s
4
18-19
Photographs of Sculpture in Process
Archival Resource Key
circa 2002
4
20
Photographs of "Steam Out"
Archival Resource Key
circa 1960s
4
21
Color Transparencies of "Icons" Series
Archival Resource Key
undated
4
22
Color Transparencies of David Smith Sculpture
Archival Resource Key
circa 1960s
4
23
Color Transparencies of School House
Archival Resource Key
undated
4
24
Slides of Artwork
Archival Resource Key
circa 1970s-2000s
4
25-26
Slides of Foundry Work
Archival Resource Key
circa 1960s
4
27
Slides of Italy Exchange Program
Archival Resource Key
1989
4
28
Slides of RISD Student Sculpture
Archival Resource Key
1960s-1970s
5
1
Slides of RISD Student Sculpture
Slides of Student Work
Archival Resource Key
1970s
5
2-3
Slides of Sculpture Exhibition
Archival Resource Key
1974
5
4
Artwork
Series 7
Archival Resource Key
0.4 Linear feet
Boxes 5-6
1952-1974
Scope and Contents
Artwork includes Morin's pencil and ink sketches and diagrams for sculptures. Most of the drawings date from his student years at Cranbrook Academy of Art and Massachusetts College of Art, as well as his early career at the Silvermine Guild and Rhode Island School of Design.
Drawing
Archival Resource Key
1955
5
5
Drawings for Highly Polished, Symmetrical Sculpture
Archival Resource Key
1970-1974
5
6
Drawings, Inspiration for Composition of Foam Vaporization Process of Casting Metal
Archival Resource Key
1963-1969
5
7-8
Drawings, Machine Structures, Mass. College of Art
Archival Resource Key
1952-1953
5
9
Drawings, Plaster Reliefs, Mass. College of Art
Archival Resource Key
1953-1956
5
10
Drawings, Sand Block Castings, Silvermine Guild of Artists and Rhode Island School of Design
Archival Resource Key
1958-1962
5
11-13
Drawings, Sentinel Series, Cast Iron, Silvermine Guild of Artists
Archival Resource Key
1958-1959
6
1
Drawings, Welded Sculpture, Cranbrook Academy of Art
Archival Resource Key
1956-1957
6
2
Refined Drawings for Cast Metal Reliefs
Archival Resource Key
1963-1969
6
3
Transition Drawings, Welding to Sand Core Bronze Casting, Cranbrook Academy of Art
Archival Resource Key
1957
6
4
Sketchbook
Archival Resource Key
circa 1950s
6
5