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Smithsonian solicits Art Thieme's photos

30 Sep 05 - 11:40 AM (#1572771)
Subject: Smithsonian solicits Art Thieme's photos
From: katlaughing

It is with the greatest of pleasure that I pass on this wonderful news about our own Art Thieme, the photographer:

After seeing Art's "photographic documentation of folk and bluegrass musicians" at Art's Place, the Archives Center of the Museum of American History Curator of Photographs has spoken with and written to Art saying he was "impressed with the images which I viewed in your Web presentation and, would be pleased to consider offering them a home with our other music-related and photographic collections."

There's more in the letter, but WOW!! How fitting is this?! I love it and a BIG Thank You to Bruce Kallick for getting the images online and esp. to ART for sharing them with us.

Congratulations, dear Fine Art!!

luvyakat & Rog


30 Sep 05 - 11:47 AM (#1572775)
Subject: RE: Smithsonian solicits Art Thieme's photos
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko

Congratulations Art!!

I was also happy to turn on my XM Radio this morning, and the first song I heard on "The Village" was Art singing one of Jerry Rasmussen's song "Handful of Songs". It was nice to know that Mudcatters are being heard across the nation!


30 Sep 05 - 11:50 AM (#1572776)
Subject: RE: Smithsonian solicits Art Thieme's photos
From: MMario

sometimes it amazes me the people I have met through this place. The rest of the time it utterly astounds me.

wow.


30 Sep 05 - 11:54 AM (#1572779)
Subject: RE: Smithsonian solicits Art Thieme's photos
From: GUEST,BanjoRay

Art very kindly gave me permission to use his lovely photograph of Hedy West in an obituary I wrote for our society magazine Old Time News. A copy will of course be on the way to Art before very long.
Ray
Friends Of American Old Time Music And Dance


30 Sep 05 - 12:11 PM (#1572785)
Subject: RE: Smithsonian solicits Art Thieme's photos
From: jeffp

This is outstanding news!

Congratulations Art!!!!! Couldn't happen to a nicer guy. The Smithsonian definitely has good taste.

Jeff


30 Sep 05 - 03:21 PM (#1572908)
Subject: RE: Smithsonian solicits Art Thieme's photos
From: GUEST,Dani

How fun!

Thanks for sharing the accolades, and Art, thanks for sharing the photos. I'm reminded of so many people who have shaped my love of music...

Dani


30 Sep 05 - 03:56 PM (#1572924)
Subject: RE: Smithsonian solicits Art Thieme's photos
From: JohnInKansas

Art's photos obviously are a slice of music history that the Smithsonion should want to preserve, and it's great news that they've seen their value.

The real "national treasure" though is Art himself. If he doesn't write his poper memoirs, we'll have to petition to have him stuffed and mounted - in the distant future when he becomes available.

John


30 Sep 05 - 03:59 PM (#1572927)
Subject: RE: Smithsonian solicits Art Thieme's photos
From: Stilly River Sage

Isn't it nice to know that they'll be preserved and available!

(And don't forget Art, that there are times when institutions will buy these kinds of collections. It never hurts to ask!)

SRS


30 Sep 05 - 04:32 PM (#1572939)
Subject: RE: Smithsonian solicits Art Thieme's photos
From: katlaughing

Absolutely, JohninKS!!!

SRS, that's what I said, "I hope they are paying you for them." But, you know how generous he is...it's one of the things I love about him the most...always willing to share.


30 Sep 05 - 05:05 PM (#1572951)
Subject: RE: Smithsonian solicits Art Thieme's photos
From: Stephen L. Rich

Great news, Art! Keep it up!

Stephen Lee


30 Sep 05 - 07:18 PM (#1573011)
Subject: RE: Smithsonian solicits Art Thieme's photos
From: JohnInKansas

SRS/kat

In general, the Smithsonian doesn't pay for anything, however if a kind benefactor wishes to BUY something and donate it, they will be quite happy to have said benefactor do so. In rare cases they may even be able to help with finding someone, but such efforts are usually limited to very "high dollar" items (famous diamonds, etc.) or formal collections that might otherwise be snatched up by commercial dealers.

Some people do donate "unspecified" funds, so there are minimal amounts available that "The Smith" can use for exceptional discretionary acquisitions; but the funds of that kind are really pretty limited when compared to the stuff available - and often passed by.

John


01 Oct 05 - 03:51 AM (#1573198)
Subject: RE: Smithsonian solicits Art Thieme's photos
From: van lingle

Thanks for the link, kat. I love these photos and with Art's kind permission I'd like to inscribe "This Machine Kills Time" around the perimeter of my monitor. Ha,ha.


01 Oct 05 - 10:37 AM (#1573408)
Subject: RE: Smithsonian solicits Art Thieme's photos
From: van lingle

Christ Gargoyle, take your own advice and use spell check yourself on your next "responce". And what the hell is the "Baby Bang Generation" you zany character, you.


01 Oct 05 - 11:57 AM (#1573449)
Subject: RE: Smithsonian solicits Art Thieme's photos
From: GUEST,Art Thieme

Thanks for some of the thoughts here. I suspect it's easy to give the finger to someone from a speeding car or from orbit in cyberspace. For the record: I didn't solicit anything. I was surprised as hell to get a call from the Smithsonian. And I was honored and blown away by their request. I put those snapshots of mine up there trying to give something back to the community that made room for me. I will not accept money for them. They are there for anyone who wants to use them as illustrations in books, articles, as CD graphics, bathroom decorations, ground cover, wallpaper, or whatever. ------- Yes, I edited them using Photoshop. They now look better than the originals. Those original photographic positive images ---SLIDES--- where what you see is what you get, are what I will eventually be sending to the Smithsonian.

Art


01 Oct 05 - 10:57 PM (#1573832)
Subject: RE: Smithsonian solicits Art Thieme's photos
From: GUEST,Art Thieme

Mr. V.L. Mongo,

Sure, go right ahead and use theat line. I'm honored to have you ask. Nothing is more American than borrowing and taking what you need/want. That's what the oral tradition is all about. ;-)
Art


01 Oct 05 - 11:21 PM (#1573845)
Subject: RE: Smithsonian solicits Art Thieme's photos
From: katlaughing

You are welcome, Van Lingle.

As I've said before, Art, you are a True Gentle Man and I am so proud to claim you as a friend. We are all the richer for knowing you, your music, and your photographic memoirs.

Thank you, darlin',

luvyaKat & Rog


01 Oct 05 - 11:41 PM (#1573861)
Subject: RE: Smithsonian solicits Art Thieme's photos
From: bet

Hey Art!
Way to go. Thanks for sharing! What would folk music be without sharing? It's great, my hat is off to you. bet


02 Oct 05 - 11:06 AM (#1574077)
Subject: RE: Smithsonian solicits Art Thieme's photos
From: Big Jim from Jackson

JohnInKansas, I don't think Art would mind being stuffed---but MOUNTED??????!!!!             :-)


02 Oct 05 - 12:18 PM (#1574112)
Subject: RE: Smithsonian solicits Art Thieme's photos
From: Stilly River Sage

Art,

Don't mistake what I was suggesting--there are institutions such as universities with Special Collections that are looking for papers and other collections to round out or augment their holdings. They have funds earmarked for certain kinds of materials. Smithsonian has asked, and the honor is significant. But don't be surprised if, now the news is out, a university somewhere politely inquires if you'd like to donate your collection to them instead, and perhaps offers to purchase a portion of it to sweeten the offer. It happens all of the time. At my university they regularly work out arrangements with donors so they and their family have guaranteed access to materials. Some may be delivered at time of purchase, the remainder to be sent after the owner's death or at some agreed upon time. The funds used for these purchases are usually those provided by the Friends of the Libraries or other donors who want the library to be able to purchase materials they find significant when they learn of them. You know what's real popular now? Photo collections. We have a growing number of them. They are a treasure trove many times over.

Lets see, University of Texas at Austin, University of Oregon, University of Washington, UBC. . .

SRS


02 Oct 05 - 12:24 PM (#1574117)
Subject: RE: Smithsonian solicits Art Thieme's photos
From: JohnInKansas

BJfJ -

I suppose we'll have to ask what position he prefers?

John


02 Oct 05 - 07:35 PM (#1574347)
Subject: RE: Smithsonian solicits Art Thieme's photos
From: jaze

Congratulations, Art.


02 Oct 05 - 10:22 PM (#1574434)
Subject: RE: Smithsonian solicits Art Thieme's photos
From: Stilly River Sage

And while I'm thinking of it, ignore Gargoyle, don't touch the photos. The more information in them the better.


03 Oct 05 - 12:04 AM (#1574481)
Subject: RE: Smithsonian solicits Art Thieme's photos
From: GUEST,Art Thieme

By now you'd think I'd've learned not to give any credence/validity to anything said by anyone of trollish nature anywhere on this or any other web forum. Still, for some reason, I have always asumed that when someone aims their pointed utterances at me, myself, and/or I, they are truly wanting a civil dialogue more than they want to provoke a civil war. After this, from here on out, and after spending close to eight years here, it's about time I saw the elephant!! My plan is to never respond to semantic terrorists or their ilk again. If you, like Martin Gibson of old, take that to mean I am anti-semantic, well, so be it.

Art


03 Oct 05 - 11:28 AM (#1574633)
Subject: RE: Smithsonian solicits Art Thieme's photos
From: katlaughing

Art, good for you and don't worry about it! We all know who the idjits are...SRS explained it well. As for pay for you, I only meant that I believe, and always have, that you DESERVE anything, both non-monetary and monetary, you can get for the incomparable contributions of music and photographic history you ahev given us. As I said above, you are one of the most generous people I have ever known. Your explanation of generousity concerning your slides to our is exactly what I would expect from you.:-)

luvyakat


10 Jun 22 - 07:46 PM (#4143980)
Subject: RE: Smithsonian solicits Art Thieme's photos
From: BK Lick

So, the Smithsonian has indeed a very scholarly archive comprising mainly 459 color slides:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
"Slides received in plastic storage sheets, many of which were damaged, although the slides did not seem to be physically damaged. Those that were damaged were replaced. The plastic storage sheets were contained in a red vinyl three-ring binder that has since been replaced with an acid-free binder box. The slides did not appear to be in any order. The collection is open for research. Gloves must be worn when handling unprotected photographs and negatives."

They've now begun to digitize the photos and so far 63 are available there online but, alas, without any titles or captions:
slide show

The larger collection of 1306 titled and captioned photos residing at Art's Place has been inoperable for the last several years due to a change of web hosts, but I'm glad to report that it's been restored.

— BK


10 Jun 22 - 10:39 PM (#4143989)
Subject: RE: Smithsonian solicits Art Thieme's photos
From: Stilly River Sage

Thanks for the update! That's nice to see! (I have been doing a slide scanning project at a local museum over the last three years - it's a slow process to scan a collection.)


10 Jun 22 - 11:51 PM (#4143995)
Subject: RE: Smithsonian solicits Art Thieme's photos
From: GUEST,C.T. Thieme

The captions are so important. When I want to ask Dad a question, my two go-tos are Mudcat and this gallery. Thank you so much.
C.


11 Jun 22 - 02:44 PM (#4144008)
Subject: RE: Smithsonian solicits Art Thieme's photos
From: Mark Ross

Wonderful collection, but why are so many pics backwards?

Mark Ross


11 Jun 22 - 04:13 PM (#4144025)
Subject: RE: Smithsonian solicits Art Thieme's photos
From: BK Lick

Like which ones, for example?


11 Jun 22 - 05:06 PM (#4144031)
Subject: RE: Smithsonian solicits Art Thieme's photos
From: GUEST,Hootenanny

BK Lick

Like these for example:

AC1239-0000015, 17, 18,19,20,21, 24, 28, 30 (possibly), 32, 41,43,48,66,
possibly 50 and 68

Not too difficult to work out.

There are a number of easily identifiable musicians here, why no captions?

Hoot.


11 Jun 22 - 05:48 PM (#4144039)
Subject: RE: Smithsonian solicits Art Thieme's photos
From: Stilly River Sage

They probably have someone scanning who doesn't know to keep the emulsion side up when scanning negatives. Send them a note. It's easy enough to flip them and save the file.


11 Jun 22 - 06:43 PM (#4144046)
Subject: RE: Smithsonian solicits Art Thieme's photos
From: BK Lick

I thought you were referring to my photo gallery at Art's Place.

I will pass on SRS's suggeestion to the curator of that slide collection.

There are no captions there because Art didn't provide them when he donated the slides. I've offered to provide them should they want to incorporate them in some way.


11 Jun 22 - 06:46 PM (#4144047)
Subject: RE: Smithsonian solicits Art Thieme's photos
From: Stilly River Sage

They should be glad to have them - photos without context are difficult to use.