Don Evans Collection
Scope and Contents
The Don Evans Collection (7.5 linear feet) consists of drawings, sketches, posters, multimedia artworks, magazines, memos, letters, class handouts, proposals, notes, essays, postcards, personal memorabilia, VHS tapes, reels, cassettes, slides, a T-shirt, and a vinyl. These materials reflect the work of Evans during his professorship at Vanderbilt University in the art and art history department, where he taught courses such as video art, multimedia, and computer graphics. More specifically, they came into being through his involvement with establishing an art studio space “Art House” on campus, curating eclectic theatrical performances for the “Alternative Roots Festival,” and organizing special exhibitions at Cheekwood Botanical Garden and Museum.
Dates
- Creation: 1970s-2000s
Conditions Governing Access
The physical materials from this collection may be viewed only in the reading room of Vanderbilt’s Special Collections and University Archives. Materials should be requested two to three days in advance to facilitate easier access. Contact specialcollections@vanderbilt.edu to schedule an appointment.
Biographical / Historical
Donald H. Evans was born in Murfreesboro, Tenn., and earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville in 1962. Evans earned a master of fine arts from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, in 1968.
Evans joined what was then called the Vanderbilt Department of Fine Arts in 1969. As director of the Vanderbilt Media Experimentation Center, he offered pioneering courses in video art, multimedia and computer graphics. Throughout the years, he played an influential role in the Nashville experimental arts community.
He retired from the department in 2002. Evans remained active in the arts community after he took emeritus status. He participated in two team-collaborative projects at Cheekwood Botanical Garden and Museum of Art in 2007 and 2008.
Seven of his films, including Data Bank and Video Dance, won awards. Evans’ prolific video works include Visual Prison, Light Sensitive People, Jack’s Big Adventure and Tracks Across the Yukon.
He passed away May 6, 2013.
Full Extent
7.5 Linear Feet (6 Paige Boxes)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
This collection contains the papers of Professor Donald H. Evans, a professor of art and art history, emeritus, at Vanderbilt University.
Topical
- Title
- Finding Aid for the Don Evans Collection
- Status
- Partially Processed
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Revision Statements
- October 2022: Scope and content note revised by Nawat Masavisut and Elizabeth Batiuk.
Repository Details
Part of the Vanderbilt University Special Collections and University Archives Repository
Special Collections Library
1101 19th Ave. S.
Nashville TN 37212 United States
specialcollections@vanderbilt.edu
About this Site
This site contains collection guides, or finding aids, to the archival collections held by Vanderbilt University Special Collections and University Archives, the History of Medicine Collection, and the Scarritt Bennett Center. Finding aids describe the context, arrangement, and structure of archival materials, allowing users to identify and request materials relevant to their research.
Requesting Materials
Each finding aid contains a link to request materials from the collections. Collections can also be requested by emailing the repository directly through the library website. Each repository has its own location, hours, and contact information. Please consult the repository with questions about using the materials. Collections are non-circulating and must be used in the repository’s reading room. In many cases, the collections are stored off-site and require advance notice for retrieval.