Call Number:

20

Repository:

Historical Society of Montgomery County

Extent:

3.75 linear feet

Language:

English

Date:

1950-1980 (bulk) and 1922-1992 (inclusive)

Creator:

Rapp, Lois, 1907-1992

Abstract:

Lois Rapp (1907-1992) was a watercolorist, illustrator, and art educator based in the suburbs of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Rapp's works are currently included in the collections of the Woodmere Art Gallery, Philadelphia and the Valley Forge Memorial Chapel, Pennsylvania. The Lois Rapp papers, 1922-1992 (bulk 1950-1980), consist of papers, photographs, and ephemera relating to Rapp's art career.

"Lois Rapp was born in Norristown, Pennsylvania in 1907. She attended the Philadelphia College of Art and also studied art under Earl Horter. Rapp earned membership in the American Watercolor Society, as well as the Philadelphia Watercolor Club and the Woodmere Art Gallery, where she was on the exhibition committee from 1965-1969. She exhibited extensively throughout her career, contributing works to exhibitions at the Society of Independent Artists, American Watercolor Society, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia Watercolor Club and the Woodmere Art Gallery. Rapp's works are currently included in the collections of the Woodmere Art Gallery, Philadelphia and the Valley Forge Memorial Chapel, Pennsylvania. As well as being an accomplished watercolorist and illustrator, Rapp was an art instructor from 1935-1957 at the Conshocken Art League, as well as an instructor at the Mater Misericordiae Academy, Merion, PA and the Collegeville Trappe Public Schools, PA."

Bibliography:Wiscasset Bay Gallery. "Rapp, Lois." Accessed February 3, 2012. http://www.wiscassetbaygallery.com/index.php?mact=ArtGallery,cntnt01,showartistpaintings,0&cntnt01artist_id=300&cntnt01language=&cntnt01returnid=19

The Lois Rapp papers, 1922-1992 (bulk 1950-1980), consist of papers, photographs, and ephemera relating to Rapp's art career. Rapp's work is depicted in a large number of photographs, slides, and negatives of her artwork, as well as some prints, and a small amount of original art--a sketch book with graphite on paper illustrations; a book of watercolors. Her exhibitions and projects are documented through gallery programs, correspondence, newspaper clippings, and certificates/awards won. Her finances are reflect through inventories, sales records, and travel account books.

Rapp was also a poet, and the collection includes a number of poetry typescripts and a copy of her "Past Tense" chapbook.

While most of the materials in the collection relate to Lois's art career, there are some photographs of Rapp and postcards that are more personal in nature.