Collection Guide
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Ruth Chandler Williamson Gallery Archival Collection
WG001.ead
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Description
The Ruth Chandler Williamson Gallery was built in 1993 on the campus of Scripps College and shows the artwork of professional
artists as well as works by the college's teachers and students. The Williamson Gallery is most known for hosting the “Scripps
College Annual Ceramic Exhibition,” which has the distinction of being the longest running ceramics show in the United States.
The archival collection covers years 1870-2005, with the bulk of the material ranging from 1950-2005.
Background
Scripps College has had numerous locations for art exhibitions since its founding in 1926. The Ruth Chandler Williamson Gallery,
built in 1993 is the school’s most recent venue. In the early years, the first exhibitions were held at Balch Hall until
Lang Gallery was built in 1939. In 1974 an agreement joined the Montgomery Gallery of Pomona College and the Lang Gallery
together administratively to be known as the Galleries of the Claremont Colleges. This agreement remained in effect until
1994, around the time the Williamson gallery was opened and the galleries returned to being separate entities. Over the years
the Scripps’ galleries have shown the work of its art teachers including painter Millard Sheets, sculptor Albert Stewart,
and ceramist Paul Soldner. Most of the artwork housed at the Williamson Gallery is a result of donations from collectors and
artists. The largest donated collection is the Fred Marer ceramics collection. Other significant donors are Edward M. Nagle,
who donated a variety of art objects, General E. C. Young, who donated several American paintings, and General Munth and W.
B. Pettus donators of Asian paintings and decorative arts.
Scripps College has played an important role in the promotion of ceramics and ceramists. Since 1944 it has hosted the “Scripps
College Annual Ceramic Exhibition,” which has the distinction of being the longest running ceramics show in the United States.
Extent
40.25 cubic feet
Restrictions
Property rights reside with Scripps College, Claremont, California.
Availability
This collection is open for research with permission from the Ruth Chandler Williamson Gallery staff. Donor records are restricted
to staff use only.