Mary Lea Kruse papers
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No requestable containers
Scope and Contents
The Mary Lea Kruse papers date from 1942 to 2013 and measure one linear foot in three boxes. The papers are arranged in three series: Biographical, Artists Concepts Limited, and Rah! Rah! Notes. The Biographical series (1942-2014) holds materials from Kruse’s early life and family history, including photographic slides from travel, a travel journal, and an 80th anniversary book of the Tipton chapter of the American Association of University Women. There are four film reels from Kruse’s early childhood. The series is completed by a commemorative narrative of Kruse’s great-grandmother, Ella Haddock. The Rah! Rah! Notes series (1999-2007) contains mockups and themes made by Mary Lea Kruse’s stationery business. There is also wedding planning and invitation etiquette guides within this series. The Artists Concepts Limited series (1981-2013) is the largest of the collection. Art show invitations and advertisements, newspaper clippings, and details of curation projects make up the bulk of this series.
Dates
- Creation: 1942 - 2014
Creator
- Kruse, Mary Lea 1942- (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
The papers are open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Copyright held by the donor has been transferred to the University of Iowa. However, copyright status for some collection materials may be unknown. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.) beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owner. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owners. Responsibility and potential liability based on copyright infringement for any use rests exclusively and solely with the user. Users must properly acknowledge the Iowa Women’s Archives, The University of Iowa Libraries, as the source of the material. For further information, visit https://www.lib.uiowa.edu/sc/services/rights/
Biographical / Historical
Mary Lea Kruse was born in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1942. Kruse was interested in art from a young age and grew up taking art classes and visiting the Des Moines Art Center. After earning a degree in English Literature at Northwestern University, Kruse taught language arts in Evanston, Illinois, and Des Moines, Iowa. She then worked as a Patient Relations Director in Des Moines before moving to Iowa City in 1969. In Iowa City, Kruse inherited the art gallery Artists Concepts Limited (AC) from her friends. She ran the business from her home. AC began curating art for health care facilities such as the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics and other hospitals across Iowa. Kruse also had a stationery business, Rah! Rah! Notes, that sold University of Iowa branded material and wedding stationery. Major projects for AC included curating art for the Coralville Marriott Hotel and Conference Center, the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts, and the Iowa River Landing. AC concluded shows in 2006 and stationery sales ceased in 2012. After retirement, Kruse volunteered with the Iowa City Public Library’s Art-To-Go program and the Iowa Women’s Foundation.
Extent
1 Linear Feet
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Iowa City art curator and stationery business owner.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The papers (donor no. 1316) were donated by Mary Lea Kruse in 2013 and subsequent years.
- Author
- Beatrice Kearns, 2024
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Iowa Women's Archives Repository
100 Main Library
University of Iowa Libraries
Iowa City IA 52242 IaU
319-335-5068
319-335-5900 (Fax)
lib-women@uiowa.edu