Call Number:

RG4.109

Repository:

Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College

Extent:

0.75 linear ft. (2 boxes)

Language:

English

Preferred Citation:

[Indicate the cited item or series here], Fellowship of Quakers in the Arts Records, RG4/109, Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College

Date:

1993-1998 (inclusive)

Creator:

Fellowship of Quakers in the Arts and Turrell, James

Abstract:

The Fellowship of Quakers in the Arts was founded in 1993 "to nurture and showcase the literary, visual, musical and performing arts within the Society of Friends, for the purpose of Quaker expression, ministry, witness and outreach," according to the group's mission statement. The collection contains the records of the Fellowship of Quakers in the Arts from its founding in 1993 until 1998, including administrative documents, newsletters, and member information.

In 1993, an Ad Hoc Committee for Quaker Arts presented a proposal to Philadelphia Yearly Meeting concerning Ministries of Celebration: A Fellowship of Quaker Artists. The clerk of the Committee was Minnie Jane Ham, an artist from Trenton Monthly Meeting. Her idea was to create a group of artists and supporters of the arts in Quaker communities to promote spiritual growth and understanding. The Fellowship of Quaker Artists was modeled after London Yearly Meeting's Quaker Fellowship of the Arts and worked to counter the long-standing idea in Quaker communities that the arts were detrimental to the practice of Quakerism. In 1997, the group changed its name to the Fellowship of Quakers in the Arts to include those who were supportive and interested but not themselves artists. The Fellowship organized exhibitions of Quaker art, supported independent exhibitions by Quakers, published a newsletter, and maintained a directory of Quakers artists across the country.

This collection contains records of the Fellowship of Quakers in the Arts from its founding in 1993 through 1998. Included are administrative minutes, letters, and memos, newsletters and correspondence received from various artists and others. In addition, it includes information about individual artists and their work (including some pictures, postcards, and newspaper clippings). There are also extensive lists of members in the FQA directory, along with drafts of the directory and response slips from members requesting spots in the directory.

The collection is organized in four series: Administrative papers, Newsletters and correspondence, Information on artists and shows, and Directory and membership.