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John L. Heatwole Personal Papers

SC #2075

Carrier Library, James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA 22807

Scope & Content
This collection consists of 2 Hollinger boxes and 1 oversize box. It contains the personal papers of sculptor John L. Heatwole relevant to his work as an artist, during the years 1973-1995.

Biographical Note

John L. Heatwole was born in 1948 in Washington, D.C. In 1974 he moved to the Shenandoah Valley, where his family had roots, to take a job as woodcarver at the Virginia Craftsmen Furniture Company in Harrisonburg. Three years later he opened his own shop in Bridgewater and began working for himself. Self-taught, drawing on folklore and family stories for themes for his carvings, and using only hand tools and a secret color staining process, Heatwole became widely recognized as an artist of note.

Provenance
Materials were donated by John L. Heatwole in December, 1987. The gift agreement defines Carrier Library as the permanent repository for Heatwole's artistic papers, and states that he will make continuing donations of non-current materials over time.

Organization
The order imposed by the creator was generally maintained. Major groupings are:

1. Diaries.
2. Letters (Incoming).
3. Activities.
4. Works about Heatwole.
5. Photos.
6. Sketches - Oversize

Box 1

Series I: Diaries
Book 1: October 16, 1979-May 4, 1981.
Book 2: May 8, 1981-October 15, 1983.
Book 3: 2/19/84-5/27/91.
Book 4: 6/12/91-9/25/95.

Series II: Letters (Incoming)
Folder 1 Artists and students, 1981-1986, and undated.
Folder 2 Cheek, Leslie, 1984-1987.
Folder 3 Clients, 1980-1987, and undated.
Folder 4 Dow Agency, 1984-1987.
Folder 5 Lectures, 1976, 1982-1987, and undated.
Folder 6 Neiman-Marcus, 1979-1986, and undated.

Box 2

Series II: Letters (Incoming) continued

Folder 7 Miscellaneous, 1982-1986, and undated. Includes letters on loan of work, nomination for Governor's Award for the Arts, articles; undated section includes a questionnaire in which Heatwole notes his influences.

Series III: Activities
Folder 8 Show, lectures, etc., 1976-1987. Includes contracts, sales receipts, lists of sculptures exhibited, consignment lists, programs, etc.
Folder 9 Articles and other writings by Heatwole, 1987 and undated. Includes historical documentation of one sculpture.

Series IV: Works about Heatwole
Folder 10 Magazine articles, 1978-1984, & 1989 WVPT video of interview [media cabinet]
Folder 11 News clippings, 1973-1987, and undated.

Series V: Photos
Folder 12 Photos, 1979-1985, mostly undated.

Flat Box

Series VI: Posters and Sketches - Oversize
Folder 1 Posters, Neiman-Marcus, 1981.
Folder 2 Posters, Neiman-Marcus, 1981 (2 copies), 1982.
Folder 3 Posters, Neiman-Marcus, 1983, 1984 (3 copies).
Folder 4 Sketches, 1976-1983 (includes rolled sketch).
Folder 5 Sketches, 1984-1987.
Folder 6 Sketches, undated.