For more than 20 years, RISD's library and archives have sponsored the recording of oral histories, through video, under the RISD Oral History Project. The project was designed to record, through interviews, the personal stories and reflections of RISD colleagues (faculty, administrators, trustees, and alumni) in order to augment RISD’s historical record.
Past interview subjects include: Yvonne Andersen (FAV), Linda Bowab, (Apparel), Gil Franklin (Sculpture), Tage Frid (Furniture), Malcolm Grear (Graphic Design), Sydney “Bud” Greenwald (Trustee), Robert Hamilton (Painting), Marc Harrison (ID), Baruch Kirschenbaum (THAD), Warren Luther (Architecture), Virginia Lynch (Trustee), Roger Mandle (President), Margaret McGavin (Landscape Architecture), and Jack Prip (Jewelry and Metals). We have also filmed a documentary on the European Honors Program in Rome (2006), featuring students, faculty (Jan Baker, Ezio Genovese).
A first sampling of these interviews can be found here, and we look forward to adding more oral histories soon.
As we continue conducting oral histories, we are interested in extending our documentation to include staff, current students, visiting artists, and more alumni, with the goal of expanding the spectrum of RISD voices and documenting relevant and critical issues of the current moment, including equity and inclusion, health and wellness, sustainability, as well as RISD and the teaching and meaning of art and design. A great example of what we aspire to can be found at the Smithsonian’s Archives American Art Pandemic Oral History Project site. See the May 28, 2020 edition of the Fleet Library See Also Newsletter or visit RISD Archives’ COVID-19 documentation project to learn more.
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Oral History Interview with Warren Luther, June 30, 1999
Warren Luther, Neil Severance, RISD Archives, and Frank Muhly
In this film for the RISD Oral History Project, Professor Emeritus, Warren Luther is interviewed by Neil Severance, Vice President of Student Affairs, 1979-2000. Professor Luther, who graduated from RISD in 1948 with degrees in Industrial Arts Education, and Architecture, taught in the departments of Architecture and Foundation Studies from 1950-1990. RISD Oral History Project, he discusses his training and professional career development, including his years at RISD. Directed by Frank Muhly.
Transcript forthcoming.
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Oral History Interview with Margaret McAvin, June 30, 1999
Margaret J. McAvin, Michael Veracka, RISD Archives, and Frank Muhly
In this film for the RISD Oral History Project, Professor Margaret McAvin (1946-1999) is interviewed by Michael Veracka, a 1993 alum of the Landscape Architecture Department. Professor McAvin, who taught at RISD 1981-1999, discusses her training, and professional career development, including her years at RISD. Directed by Frank Muhly.
Transcript forthcoming.
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Oral History Interview with Linda Bowab, July 11, 1997
Linda Bowab, Lorraine Howes, RISD Archives, and Frank Muhly
Interview of Linda Bowab conducted by Lorraine Howes at 20 Washington Place in Providence, RI on July 11, 1997. Bowab speaks of what RISD and the Apparel Design department were like when she first began in the 1950s and how they have changed over time. Bowab also recalls different events she was a part of at RISD, such as fashion shows, parties, balls, and a musical performance of The Dolly Sisters. Along with this, Bowab and Howes discuss how fashion has changed and how these changes have been reflected in the department and amongst the faculty.
Transcript forthcoming.
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Oral History Interview with Tage Frid, January 1997
Tage Frid, Rosanne Somerson, RISD Archives, and Frank Muhly
Interview of Tage Frid conducted by Rosanne Somerson in Frid's home on January 1, 1997. Frid speaks of his time building houses in Iceland and working in Denmark before moving to the United States to teach. Frid also recalls opening Shop One in Rochester and working with many of his former students. Along with this, Frid discusses what he values in woodworking and design with a model of one of his chairs.
Transcript forthcoming.
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Oral History Interview with Marc Harrison, July 11, 1997
Marc Harrison, David Kessler, RISD Archives, and Frank Muhly
Interview of Marc Harrison conducted by David Kessler from the Universal Kitchen Project studio in Providence, RI on July 11, 1997. Harrison speaks of his time as a graduate student at the Cranbrook Academy of Art before being asked to teach in the Industrial Design department at RISD by Pierre Kleykamp. Harrison also recalls the focus on diversity, accessibility, and individuality within ID and the students in the program. Along with this, Harrison discusses projects he has worked on through RISD such as a blood mobile project for the Red Cross, the ILZRO Project, and the Universal Kitchen Project along with his own work for Cuisinart.
Transcript forthcoming.
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Oral History Interview with Jack Prip, January 3, 1997
Jack Prip, Jonathan Bonner, RISD Archives, and Frank Muhly
This video is unedited raw footage intended for post production processing that did not come to fruition at the time of its creation. Digitized from original VHS.
In this film for the RISD Oral History Project, Professor John (Jack) Axel Prip (1923-2009) is interviewed by alumnus Jonathan Bonner, who studied with Prip and received his RISD Masters of Fine Arts degree in Sculpture in 1973. Professor Prip, who restarted the Jewelry and Metalsmithing Department, discusses his teaching and design experience prior to coming to RISD, the development of the Jewelry and Metals program, and various individuals associated with the School during his time at RISD (1960-1980). Directed by Frank Muhly.
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Oral History Interview with Gilbert (Gil) Franklin, March 18, 1996
Gil Franklin, Andrew Martinez, RISD Archives, and Frank Muhly
Interview of Gilbert (Gil) Franklin, conducted by Jack Massey at the Virginia Lynch Gallery in Tiverton, RI on March 18, 1996 for the RISD Oral History Project. Franklin speaks of his time in the Sculpture department at RISD, as both a student and a professor, along with other departments which were forming such as the Ceramics, Glass, and Photography departments. Franklin also recalls his time at the American Academy in Rome and the beginnings of the RISD European Honors Program.
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Oral History Interview with Robert Hamilton, March 18, 1996
Robert Hamilton, Bunny Harvey, RISD Archives, and Frank Muhly
Interview of Robert Hamilton, conducted by Barbara (Bunny) Harvey from her studio in Providence, RI on March 18, 1998. Hamilton speaks of what the Rhode Island School of Design was like in the 1930s when he first attended the school along with serving in the Air Force during World War II and teaching G.I.s when he returned to RISD. Hamilton also recalls the dynamics of the people he worked under at RISD, like Robert Frazer, Gordon Peers, and Albert Bush-Brown. Along with this, Hamilton discusses his dislike of Conceptual art and how his own work is influenced by jazz and improvisation.