H. George Cohen (1913-1980) was a painter and educator in Massachusetts. Cohen was born in Worcester, Massachusetts in 1913. He attended the Worcester Art Museum School and the Institute of Design, Chicago, Illinois. Cohen taught art and film classes at Smith College between 1942 and 1980. Cohen participated in numerous exhibition in the New England area from the late 1940s through the 1970s.
The collection is arranged into five series.
The papers of George Cohen measure 1.8 linear feet and date between 1943 and 1980. Materials include a resume; correspondence with Anthony Caro and others; manuscripts for radio broadcast series, "This is Jazz, A People's Music"; price lists for works of art; financial material; subject files of exhibition material, gallery correspondence and his teaching materials for classes on film and art; exhibition catalogs and announcements; press releases; clippings; photographs and slides of Cohen and his art; three 16mm motion pictures including an interview with Cohen, "Richard Hunt--Welding Sculpture" and "Artist and Fabricator"; and taped interviews with David Aronson, Lawrence Kupferman, Joseph Hodgson and Bernard Chaet.
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The George Cohen papers were donated to the archives in 1982 by Lois Jean Cohen, widow of George Cohen.
George Cohen papers, 1943-1980. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.
The collection was processed, and a finding aid prepared by Ricky Gomez in 2020.
Correspondence is with colleagues concerning Cohen's teaching career, and material related to exhibitions he participated in.
Teaching materials include outlines and notes for courses taught by Cohen, "Blues-New Orleans to Bop" Jazz lecture, and a "Teaching the Student-Artist" interview series in which Cohen is interviewed by prominent educators.
Material includes a resume, financial records, exhibition files for various galleries, two film reels depicting the installation of artwork by other artists for exhibitions, and a filmed interview with Cohen conducted by Nathan Knobler.
Film depicts a group of people installing a red sculpture outside a building.
Note on Container: "Artist and Fabricator"; Installation of sculpture by Robert Murray - Commissioned by Univ. of Mass. Sept. 1975; for plaza area of Fine Arts Center Amherst, Mass. In addition, several other pieces of metal sculpture fabricated by Lippincott, New Haven, Conn. are shown in exhibit of works show in various sites of fine arts bldg. Artists in order of works seen in film. rbt. Murray - George Sugerman - Louise Nevelson - Claes Oldenburg - James Rosati - Ellsworth Kelly
On container box: RICHARD HUNT WELDING A METAL PIECE OF SCUPLTURE. - PLACE: HILLYER GALLERY SMITH COLLEGE 300 FT. OF KODACHROME Super 8 mm FILM PHOTOGRAPHED BY GEORGE COHEN; MADE BY GEORGE COHEN (UNEDITED).
Begins with a large box shipped from Richard Hunt to Hillyer Gallery, and shows Hunt at work welding the shipment of metal pieces together.
Note on Container: Richard Hunt welding a metal piece of sculpture. Place: Hillyer Gallery Smith College
On container box: RICHARD HUNT WELDING A METAL PIECE OF SCUPLTURE. - PLACE: HILLYER GALLERY SMITH COLLEGE 300 FT. OF KODACHROME Super 8 mm FILM PHOTOGRAPHED BY GEORGE COHEN; MADE BY GEORGE COHEN (UNEDITED).
George Cohen being interviewed by Nathan Knobler while sitting in front of a piece of artwork.
Note on Container: Filmed interview of George Cohen by Nathan Knobler Chairman-Dept. of Art Univ. of Conn. One man exhibition by George Cohen.
Note on Can: Property of George Cohen Art dep. This interview by Nathan Knobler was filmed for television broadcast.
On container box: FILMED INTERVIEW OF GEORGE COHEN BY NATHAN KNOBLER CHAIRMAN-DEPT. OF ART. UNIV. OF CONN. STORRS, CONN. ONE-MAN EXHIBITION BY GEORGE COHEN. On can: PROPERTY OF GEORGE COHEN ART DEPT. THIS INTERVIEW BY NATHAN KNOBLER WAS FILMED FOR TELEVISION BROADCAST. 31B4
Material includes clippings, exhibition catalogs, and magazine contributions regarding Cohen as well as material related to Anne Robb.
Photographs include photos of George Cohen, photos of his artwork, Cohen at work in his studio, and slides of Cohen teaching.