National Museum of the American Indian
The Arctic Circle records
The Arctic Circle (Gallery: Los Angeles, Calif.)
Witt, Ellen, 1917-2007
Witt, Bert
NMAI.AC.004
Archival Resource Key
634 Slides (photographs)
152 Photographs
1.6 Linear feet
1967-1987
bulk 1971-1986
The Arctic Circle records include materials gathered by Bert and Ellen Witt for their private gallery of Inuit art The Arctic Circle. These materials include native artists information which is organized by community, reference material organized topically, slides from the gallery's annual print collections as well as photographs of scupltures and textiles displayed in the gallery. Much of the reference material used by the gallery pertains to native communities in the Nunavet Territory of Canada such as Cape Dorset and Baker Lake as well as other small communities throughout the Northwest Territiories. Additionally photographs taken by Bert and Ellen Witt's son Tony during a trip to Canada in 1973 are included in this collection.
English
.
Biographical / Historical
The Arctic Circle was founded in Los Angeles in 1970 as a private art gallery devoted entirely to the exhibition and sale of scupltures and graphics by Inuit artists of the Canadian arctic. Between 1970 and the late 1980's approximately six to eight exhibitions were mounted on themes illustrative of native life in the Canadian arctic. The gallery was created and founded by Bert and Ellen Witt and run out of their home on North La Jolla Avenue in Los Angeles, California. Bert Witt, sometimes accompanied by his wife Ellen and son Tony, traveled extensively in the Canadian arctic visiting many Inuit communities and forming personal aquaintances with native artists. Through the Artic Circle, Witt supported the Arctic co-operative movement by purchasing art through co-ops in each settlement he visited or through the co-op distribution points for the Northwest Territories and Arctic Quebec.
Conditions Governing Use
Single photocopies may be made for research purposes. Permission to publish or broadbast materials from the collection must be requested from National Museum of the American Indian Archive Center. Please submit a written request to nmaiarchives@si.edu.
Conditions Governing Access
Access to NMAI Archive Center collections is by appointment only, Monday - Friday, 9:30 am - 4:30 pm. Please contact the archives to make an appointment (phone: 301-238-1400, email: nmaiarchives@si.edu).
Processing Information
Processed by Rachel Menyuk, Archives Technician in 2012.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The archival material in this collection accompanied a donation to NMAI by Bert and Ellen Witt in 2001 that included sculptures, drawings, prints and textiles. An additional three photographs were donated by Bert Witt in 2004.
Preferred Citation
Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Collection Title, Box and Folder Number; National Museum of the American Indian Archive Center, Smithsonian Institution.
Arrangement
This collection is arranged into three series:
Series 1: Papers, 1971-1980,
Series 2: Reference Materials, 1967-1987,
Subseries 2.1: Artists Listed by Community, 1971-1984, undated,
Subseries 2.2: Reference Library, 1967-1987, undated,
Series 3: Photographs, 1971-1987,
Subseries 3.1: Gallery Objects, 1979-1987,
Subseries 3.2: Witt Family Arctic Trip, 1973,
Subseries 3.3: Other Photos, 1971, 1975
- Series 1: Papers, 1971-1980
- Series 2: Reference Materials, 1967-1987
- Subseries 2A: Artists Listed by Community, 1971-1984, undated
- Subseries 2B: Reference Library, 1967-1987, undated
- Series 3: Photographs, 1971-1987
- Subseries 3A: Gallery Objects, 1979-1987
- Subseries 3B: Witt Family Arctic Trip, 1973
- Subseries 3C: Other Photos, 1971, 1975
Scope and Contents
The Arctic Circle records include materials gathered by Bert and Ellen Witt for their private gallery of Inuit art The Arctic Circle. These materials include native artists information which is organized by community, reference material organized topically, slides from the gallery's annual print collections as well as photographs of scupltures and textiles displayed in the gallery. Much of the reference material used by the gallery pertains to native communities in the Nunavet Territory of Canada such as Cape Dorset and Baker Lake as well as other small communities throughout the Northwest Territiories. Additionally photographs taken by Bert and Ellen Witt's son Tony during a trip to Canada in 1973 are included in this collection.
Photographs
Articles
Inuit (Canadian Eskimo)
Slides
Arctic Region -- photographs
Inuit art -- 20th century -- Exhibitions
Cape Dorset (Nunavut)
Art galleries, Commercial -- California -- Los Angeles
Brochures
Baker Lake (Nunavut)
Clippings
Witt, Ellen, 1917-2007
Witt, Bert
Arluk, George, 1949-
Pudlo, 1916-1992
Ashevak, Karoo, 1940-
Pitseolak, Peter, 1902-1973
Papers
Series 1
Archival Resource Key
0.2 Linear feet
1971-1980
Scope and Contents
This series contains information about the The Arctic Circle gallery itself including brochures and pamphlets announcing exhibits as well general history of the organization. Papers written by Bert and Tony Witt on Arctic Art are included in this series as well.
Brochures and Pamphlets
Archival Resource Key
undated
1971-1980
1
1
"Diary: The Canadian Arctic," Anthony Witt
Archival Resource Key
1973
1
2
General Information
Archival Resource Key
undated
1
3
"Inuit Print Retrosepctive," Bert Witt
Archival Resource Key
1978
1
4
"Man and the Arctic," Bert Witt
Archival Resource Key
1974
1
5
"Shamanic Themes in Inuit Art: A Commentary," Bert Witt
Archival Resource Key
1979
1
6
Term Paper, Anthony Witt
Archival Resource Key
1975
1
7
Reference Materials
Series 2
Archival Resource Key
1.4 Linear feet
undated
1967-1987
Scope and Contents
This series includes all the reference materials Bert and Ellen Witt collected to enhance the understanding of the objects and artists highlighted in their gallery. This includes both infomation on Inuit artists and information on general topics relating to artic art.
Artists Listed by Community
2.1
Archival Resource Key
1971-1984
undated
Scope and Contents
This subseries includes information about Inuit artists from various communities in Canada. These materials were gathered by the Witt's to maintain ties with artists whose works were purchased and presented in The Arctic Circle. These include Inuit artist biographies and resumes and in some cases news articles and object catalogs regarding the artists work. Some of these materials are restricted due to small amounts of private personal information. This subseries is arranged alphabetically by community name.
Arctic Bay
Archival Resource Key
undated
1
8
Arviat
Archival Resource Key
undated
1
9
Baker Lake
Archival Resource Key
undated
1
10
Belcher Islands
Archival Resource Key
1981
undated
1
11
Broughton Islands
Archival Resource Key
1981
1
12
Cape Dorset I
Archival Resource Key
undated
1
13
Cape Dorset II
Archival Resource Key
undated
1
14
Cape Dorset III
Archival Resource Key
undated
1
15
Clyde
Archival Resource Key
1984
1
16
Eskimo Point
Archival Resource Key
undated
1
17
Frobisher Bay
Archival Resource Key
undated
1
18
George River
Archival Resource Key
undated
1
19
Great Whale River
Archival Resource Key
undated
1
20
Holman
Archival Resource Key
undated
1
21
General
The Holman community was officially remaned Ulukhaktok on April 1st of 2006.
Igloolik
Archival Resource Key
1976
1981
1
22
Inukjuak (Port Harrison)
Archival Resource Key
1976
1984
1
23
Lake Harbour
Archival Resource Key
1974
1980
1
24
Pangnirtung
Archival Resource Key
1971-1979
2
1
Payne Bay
Archival Resource Key
undated
2
2
Pelly Bay
Archival Resource Key
1984
2
3
Povungnituk
Archival Resource Key
undated
2
4
Rankin Inlet
Archival Resource Key
undated
2
5
Repulse Bay
Archival Resource Key
1973
undated
2
6
Spence Bay
Archival Resource Key
1974
undated
2
7
Sugluk
Archival Resource Key
1973
1976
2
8
General
Archival Resource Key
1974-1984
2
9
Reference Library
2.2
Archival Resource Key
undated
1967-1987
Scope and Contents
The reference library subseries includes information gathered by Bert and Ellen Witt on subjects relating to Inuit art. These materials include articles and pamphlets on topics such as artistic mediums, general information on native communities in the Arctic, the developemnt of the Arctic, and miscellaneous materials on Inuit life and culture. This subseries is arranged alphabetically with the miscellaneous material at the end of the subseries.
Animals Hunted and Trapped
Archival Resource Key
1971-1972
2
10
Animals Hunted and Trapped: Arctic Birds
Archival Resource Key
1972
2
11
Animals Hunted and Trapped: Bear
Archival Resource Key
1984
2
12
Animals Hunted and Trapped: Caribou
Archival Resource Key
1972-1983
2
13
Animals Hunted and Trapped: Muskoxen
Archival Resource Key
1970-1974
2
14
Animals Hunted and Trapped: Seal and Walrus
Archival Resource Key
1972
2
15
Animals Hunted and Trapped: Whale, Narwhal
Archival Resource Key
1976
2
16
The Arctic
Archival Resource Key
1972
2
17
Art
Archival Resource Key
1986
2
18
Art: Archaeology
Archival Resource Key
1973-1974
2
19
Art: Commercialization
Archival Resource Key
1972-1973
1986
2
20
Art: Copyright
Archival Resource Key
1986
2
21
Art: Documentation
Archival Resource Key
1986
1974
2
22
Art: Eskimo
Archival Resource Key
1971
2
23
Art: Inuit, I
Archival Resource Key
1967-1981
2
24
Art: Inuit, II
Archival Resource Key
1973-1978
2
25
Art: Printmaking Technique
Archival Resource Key
1970-1981
2
26
Art: Prints
Archival Resource Key
1974
2
27
Art: Prints, Cape Dorset
Archival Resource Key
1970-1975
2
28
Art: Prints, Conservation
Archival Resource Key
1986
1975
2
29
Art: Sculpture, Carvings
Archival Resource Key
1970-1982
2
30
Art: Sculpture Techniques
Archival Resource Key
undated
2
31
Art: Sculpture, Whalebone
Archival Resource Key
1974
1982
2
32
Art: Wall Hangings
Archival Resource Key
1972-1973
2
33
Arts and Crafts
Archival Resource Key
1970-1972
1982
2
34
Bibliographies
Archival Resource Key
undated
2
35
Books and Poetry
Archival Resource Key
1971
1976
2
36
Canadian Arctic Producers
Archival Resource Key
1970-1972
3
1
Communities: Arctic Bay
Archival Resource Key
1967
3
2
Communities: Baker Lake
Archival Resource Key
1970-1972
3
3
Communities: Belcher Lake
Archival Resource Key
1971
3
4
Communities: Broughton Island
Archival Resource Key
1975
3
5
Communities: Cape Dorset
Archival Resource Key
1970-1972
3
6
Communities: Copper Mine
Archival Resource Key
undated
3
7
Communities: Coral Harbour
Archival Resource Key
1970-1972
3
8
Communities: Eskimo Point
Archival Resource Key
1985
3
9
Communities: Gjoa Haven
Archival Resource Key
undated
3
10
Communities: Great Whale
Archival Resource Key
1970-1972
3
11
Communities: Grise Fiord
Archival Resource Key
1972-1975
3
12
Communities: Holman Island
Archival Resource Key
undated
3
13
Communities: Igloolik
Archival Resource Key
1976
3
14
Communities: Lake Harbour
Archival Resource Key
undated
3
15
Communities: Pangnirtung
Archival Resource Key
1982
1975
3
16
Communities: Pelly Bay
Archival Resource Key
1972
3
17
Communities: Pond Inlet
Archival Resource Key
1982
1971
3
18
Communities: Povungnituk
Archival Resource Key
1983
1970-1971
1981
3
19
Communities: Rankin Inlet
Archival Resource Key
1970-1972
3
20
Communities: Repulse Bay
Archival Resource Key
undated
3
21
Communities: Spence Bay
Archival Resource Key
1974
1976
3
22
Communities: Sugluk
Archival Resource Key
1981
3
23
Conferences and Seminars
Archival Resource Key
1973
3
24
Cultural Events
Archival Resource Key
1971
3
25
Development of the North
Archival Resource Key
1968-1983
3
26
Development of the North: Business
Archival Resource Key
1973
1986
3
27
Development of the North: Conversion to Suburban Life
Archival Resource Key
1975
1968
3
28
Development of the North: Government
Archival Resource Key
1970-1980
3
29
Development of the North: Oil and Mining
Archival Resource Key
1970-1977
3
30
Development of the North: Whaling
Archival Resource Key
1973
1971
3
31
Development of the North: White Man's Infiltration
Archival Resource Key
1978
1968
3
32
Dog Teams and Snow Mobiles
Archival Resource Key
1976
1971
3
33
Education
Archival Resource Key
1982-1986
3
34
Eskimos
Archival Resource Key
1983
1977
3
35
Eskimos: Canada
Archival Resource Key
undated
3
36
Eskimos: Greenland
Archival Resource Key
undated
3
37
Eskimos: Land
Archival Resource Key
1984-1986
3
38
Exhibitions and Films
Archival Resource Key
1974-1983
3
39
Games
Archival Resource Key
1972-1973
3
40
"The Graphic Art of the Baker Lake Eskimos"
Archival Resource Key
1974
4
1
Health, Medical, Nutrition
Archival Resource Key
1972-1976
4
2
Inuit: Camp Life
Archival Resource Key
1983
1976
4
3
Inuit: Life As it Was
Archival Resource Key
1972-1973
4
4
Inuit Shuks
Archival Resource Key
1970-1972
1978
4
5
Inuit Tapuisat
Archival Resource Key
undated
4
6
The Land
Archival Resource Key
1972
4
7
The Land: Glaciers of Baffin Island
Archival Resource Key
undated
4
8
The Land: Ice Formations
Archival Resource Key
1975
4
9
The Land: Permafrost
Archival Resource Key
1972
4
10
The Land: Tundra
Archival Resource Key
1972
4
11
Legends and Stories
Archival Resource Key
1985-1986
1971-1973
4
12
Music
Archival Resource Key
1973-1974
1987
4
13
Northwest Territories
Archival Resource Key
undated
4
14
Photography
Archival Resource Key
1978
1984
4
15
Shamanism and Spirits
Archival Resource Key
1973-1974
1986
4
16
Travel in the Attic
Archival Resource Key
1972
4
17
Tupilak
Archival Resource Key
undated
4
18
Miscellaneous
Archival Resource Key
1970-1986
4
19
Miscellaneous: Men
Archival Resource Key
1972-1986
4
20
Miscellaneous: Women
Archival Resource Key
1972-1982
4
21
Photographs
Series 3
Archival Resource Key
634 Slides (photographs)
1971-1987
Scope and Contents
The photographs in this collection are divided into three subseries. The first subseries includes images of gallery objects including slides and prints. The second subseries consists of images from the Witt's family trip to the Arctic in 1973. The third subseries includes prints miscellaneous trips and events in the years 1971 and 1975.
Accompanying Photographic Material
Archival Resource Key
1975
1986
4
22
Gallery Objects
3.1
Archival Resource Key
634 Slides (photographs)
65 Photographs
1979-1987
Scope and Contents
The slides and photographs in this subseris are images of works of art displayed at the Artic Gallery between 1979 and 1987. The annual print collection slides are divided by community; Baker Lake, Cape Dorset, Holman and Pangnirtung. The scuptures and textiles came from various locations and in some cases include captions on the back of the photograph with the artist and price of the piece.
Annual Print Collections: Baker Lake and Cape Dorset
Archival Resource Key
433 Slides (photographs)
1979-1987
5
Annual Print Collections: Holman and Pangnirtung
Archival Resource Key
197 Slides (photographs)
1980-1987
6
Sculptures and Textiles: Slides
Archival Resource Key
4 Slides (photographs)
1986
6
Scupltures and Textiles: Prints
Archival Resource Key
65 Photographs
1986
1
2
3
Witt Family Arctic Trip
3.2
Archival Resource Key
66 Photographs
1973
Scope and Contents
In 1973 Bert and Ellen Witt took their 15 year old son Anthony (Tony) to the Arctic. The photos in this subseries are mostly prints taken by Tony although there are a few photographs taken by Bert with Tony in them. The photographs highlight both the land and the people the Witt's visited througout the Canadian Arctic and all of the images include descriptive captions with names and dates. The photographs are arranged alphabetically by location.
Baker Lake
Archival Resource Key
3 Photographs
1973
4
Cape Dorset
Archival Resource Key
23 Photographs
1 Negatives (photographic)
1973
5
6
7
8
Churchill, Manitoba (Before the Trip)
Archival Resource Key
1 Photograph
1973
9
Coral Harbour
Archival Resource Key
1 Photograph
1973
10
Eskimo Point
Archival Resource Key
4 Photographs
1973
11
Hudson's Bay
Archival Resource Key
3 Photographs
1973
12
Igloolik
Archival Resource Key
1 Photograph
1973
13
Northwest Territories
Archival Resource Key
3 Photographs
1973
14
Pelly Bay
Archival Resource Key
6 Photographs
1973
15
Rankin Inlet
Archival Resource Key
2 Photographs
1973
16
Repulse Bay
Archival Resource Key
9 Photographs
1973
17
Southampton Island
Archival Resource Key
1 Photograph
1973
18
Spence Bay
Archival Resource Key
9 Photographs
1973
19
Oversize
Archival Resource Key
7 Photographs
1973
8
Other Photos
3.3
Archival Resource Key
21 Photographs
1971
1975
Scope and Contents
This subseries includes photographic prints from Bert Witt's travel to the arctic in 1971 as well as photoraphs from a gallery opening of arctic art attended by Bert Witt in Ottawa in 1975. Additionaly there is one photograph of Inuit artist Pudlo Pudlat from 1975, though it is unclear who the photographer was.
Igloolik, Pelly Bay, Repulse Bay
Archival Resource Key
3 Photographs
1971
20
Opening of Kananginak Exhibition, Roberston Galleries, Ottawa
Archival Resource Key
17 Photographs
1975
21
Pudlo Pudlat
Archival Resource Key
1 Photograph
1975
22