The papers were donated by the George Arents Research Library at Syracuse University in 1984.
The collection was processed and a finding aid prepared by Sarah Mundy in 2018.
Edward Arcenio Chavez papers, 1917-1982, bulk 1941-1973. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.
Use of original papers requires an appointment and is limited to the Archives' Washington, D.C., Research Center.
Edward Arcenio Chavez (1917-1995) was a painter and sculptor in Woodstock, New York. He was born in Ocate, New Mexico, and moved to Colorado with his parents and nine siblings when he was five years old. After being encouraged by his high school art teacher to pursue art after graduation, Chavez became an apprentice to artist Frank Mechau and attended the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center. During this time he participated in the New York World's Art of America Exhibition in 1937 and began painting murals for the Works Progress Administration under the Federal Works Agency. After serving as a war art correspondent during World War II, Chavez settled in Woodstock, N.Y. where he established his studio.
Over the course of his career, Chavez was awarded the Louis Comfort Tiffany Grant, a Fulbright Grant, the Childe Hassam Institute of Arts and Letters Award among others. He taught at the Art Students League of New York, the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center, Syracuse University, Dutchess Community College, and was artist-in-residence at Utah City Schools and the Huntington Museum of Art in West Virginia. Chavez's work has been exhibited throughout the United States and is in numerous museum collections such as the Library of Congress, Museum of Modern Art, and Hirshhorn Museum.
The papers of painter and sculptor Edward Arcenio Chavez measure 0.9 linear feet and date from 1917 to 1982 with the bulk of the material dating from 1941 to 1973. The collection is comprised of biographical material, personal business records related to the Federal Works Agency and other projects, printed materials, and photographic materials.
Biographical materials include awards, certificates, a biographical sketch, curriculum vitae, and an interview transcript. Personal business records contain a Federal Works Agency contract, correspondence, and a project file. Art reproductions, books, booklets, brochures, clippings, exhibition announcements and catalogs, journals, magazines, and press releases are in printed materials. Photographic materials consists of photographs and slides of Chavez and works of art.
The collection is arranged as four series.
Also found at the Archives of American Art is an oral history interview of Edward Chavez conducted by Joseph Trovato November 5, 1964.
Biographical materials include awards and certificates, a biographical sketch and curriculum vitae, and a transcript of an interview with Chavez conducted by Joseph Trovato.
Includes awards and certificates for the National Scholastic Awards, Ministero della Pubblica Istruzione Direzione Generale Antichità e Belle Arti, and a photocopy of a National Academy of Design certificate.
Includes The Second International Hallmark Art Award and the Printing for Commerce Exhibition Certificate of Excellence.
Transcript is of an oral history interview conducted for the Archives of American Art.
Chavez's personal business records contain a contract with the Federal Works Agency; correspondence from Edward Rowan, Olin Dow, Fletcher Martin, and others; and project proposals and reports.
Includes reports for Chavez's Fulbright Grant to study in Italy, a proposal for the Guggenheim to study art in Mexico, and a few writings on Italian culture, the depiction of war in painting, and his career.
This series includes art reproductions, books, booklets and brochures, clippings, exhibition announcements and catalogs, journals and magazines, and press releases relating to Chavez's artwork and exhibitions.
Includes
Photographic materials consists of photographs of Chavez with his artworks in New York and New Mexico as well as photographs and slides of his artwork.