Atkins (Chloe) Collection, 1981-2014, bulk (bulk 1981-2002)

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Summary

Title:
Chloe Atkins Collection
Dates:
1981-2014, bulk (bulk 1981-2002)
Creators:
Atkins, Chloe
Abstract:
Chloe Atkins is a photographer who lives in the San Francisco bay area. The collection includes all her film from still photography, including associated proof sheets and model releases where available. Chiefly images of the GLBT community in the bay area, from the 1980s through 2014.
Extent:
14 boxes (7 cubic feet)
Language:
Collection materials are in English.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Chloe Atkins Collection, (GLC 94), LGBTQIA Center, San Francisco Public Library.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection includes all of the film from her still photography, including associated proof sheets and model releases where available. These are chiefly images of the LGBTQIA community in the San Francisco bay area, from the 1980s through 2014.

Atkins describes the collection in her "Thoughts on the Archive": "1989-1999 approximately 25,000 images from the nightclubs of Page Hodel. Not strictly in chronological order but rather separated by club, as in The Box, Club Q, Wet. Among these are some interesting photographs of Roberta Achtenberg from when she was running for mayor, Vince Calcagno a partner at Zuni Cafe, and Pratibha Parmar, models' releases are included."

"Some studio photographs from a nightclub Page had briefly in 2000 called Respect. Included in these are images of Eleanor Palacios (who at one time was a biggie with NCLR), Trevor Hailey, (who became a local icon with her popular "Cruisin' the Castro" walking tours), and Deborah Guerrero who I don't think of as famous but probably should be and actually might be."

"Besides Page Hodel's nightclubs, I also have photographs from other SF LGBT nightclubs such as Club Confidential (contains some interesting local and European lesbians), Futura (a Latino dance club), and the wonderful photographs from the roof of the San Francisco Eagle of the 1994 San Franciso Drag King Contest."

"For several years, beginning in 1985, I worked for Robin Tyler documenting her West Coast Women's Music Festival. Though not specifically San Francisco, these are very lesbian and all the events were in California. Photos include Melissa Etheridge, Holly Near, Robin Tyler, Torrie Osborn, Ferron, Lea Delaria, Gloria Allred, Robin FLower, Teresa Trull, Barbara Higbie, Sheila Escovido, and many others."

"Finally I have included my portraits of Drag Kings, the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, and my two brief artistic series: one a series of photos in which I pose in imitation of classic Hollywood photographs of male movie stars, and the final series I called "self-portraits" which were made in direct response to the Bush administration's immediate decision to go to war in Iraq following the 9/11/01 terrorist attack."

Biographical / historical:

Chloe Atkins is a photographer who lives in the San Francisco bay area. She was born in Reno, Nevada and raised in Quincy, California. She has lived her entire life in Northern California. She earned a Bachelor's degree in ceramics, and a Master's degree in photography. Her photography has been exhibited across the United States, is in some major collections, and has appeared in publications around the world, including the book Atkins: Girls' Night Out (St. Martin's Press, 1998). Her website includes examples of her work: http://www.chloeatkins.com.

Acquisition information:
Collection donated by Chloe Atkins, September 26, 2014.
Arrangement:

Arranged into 5 series: Series 1. West Coast Women's Music Festival; Series 2. Notable Figures; Series 3. Club Photographs; Series 4. Magazines with Atkins Photographs; Series 5. Portraits.

Physical location:
Open for research. The collection is offsite and advance notice is required for retrieval. Material must be requested at least 4 business days in advance of visit.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Tim Wilson
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2019-10-17 17:30:38 +0000 .

Access and use

Restrictions:

The collection is open for research and available for use during San Francisco History Center hours. Photographs are available during Photo Desk hours. This collection must be requested at least 4 business days in advance of visit.

Terms of access:

Copyright shared between Chloe Atkins and the San Francisco Public Library. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the City Archivist. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the San Francisco Public Library as the owner of the physical items.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Chloe Atkins Collection, (GLC 94), LGBTQIA Center, San Francisco Public Library.

Location of this collection:
San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102, US
Contact:
(415) 557-4567
sfhistory@sfpl.org
Website