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
- 1970s-2000s
Conditions Governing Access
This collection may be viewed only in the reading room of Special Collections in the Jean and Alexander Heard Library. Collections should be requested 2-3 days prior to visiting in order to facilitate easier access. For questions or to request a collection, contact specialcollections@vanderbilt.edu.
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 died May 6, 2013.
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.
Physical Location
Offsite Storage, Special Collections & Archives
Physical Location
Boxes 4-6 contain audiovisual materials and are located in cold storage, 21 North facility.
- 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 Repository
Special Collections Library
1101 19th Ave. S.
Nashville TN 37212 United States
specialcollections@vanderbilt.edu