Ellen Swartz Papers on Public Art Projects

Collection — Box: 1, Folder: 1-7

Identifier: 2022-001

Staff Only

Content Description

This collection consists of documents, photographs and other records related to Ellen Swartz's involvement in two notable Rochester public art projects. Swartz, a furniture maker, collaborated with sculptor Calvin Hubbard on a frieze of the Post family for the Hochstein School and a bust of Austin Steward for the former Rochester Riverside Hotel, both during the 1980s. Swartz produced the frame for the frieze and a base for the bust. Materials in the collection date between 1985 and 2002.

Dates

Creation: 1985-2002

Conditions Governing Access

There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of the collection.

Conditions Governing Use

Permission to publish, reproduce, distribute, or use in any current or future manifestations must be obtained in writing from the Rochester Public Library Local History and Genealogy Division.

Biographical Note

Dr. Ellen Eve Swartz (1945-2018) was born in Syracuse on June 25, 1945. She went to Eastman School of Music for violin until she was about 21, where she met her future husband, Joel. She left Eastman left to make and repair violins; her husband, Joel, stated that she ultimately found advancement in this field difficult due to her gender. She was accepted at Rochester Institute of Technology into the School of American Craftsmen's woodworking program in 1964. There she studied with Wendell Castle. When she graduated in 1966 she was one of the first female graduates of the woodworking program to earn an A.A.S. degree. Dr. Swartz worked for the Rochester City School district as an industrial arts teacher and made furniture to sell at Ten Arrow Gallery in Boston. Over the course of her furniture making career, she completed approximately 200 pieces.

Dr. Swartz went on to earn her master’s degree in Counseling from SUNY Brockport in 1988. In 1994 she earned a Master’s of Education from University of Rochester and stayed on to earn her Doctorate of Education two years later. Her career in teaching took her to Pace University for two years, Niagara University for a year, and then Nazareth College for six years. Dr. Swartz published numerous books and articles, and never stopped working on her furniture and woodworking projects on the side for fun. She passed away, following a long illness, in 2018.

Extent

.2 Cubic Feet (Seven folders housed in a single box.)

.2 Cubic Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Arrangement

This collection consists of 7 folders in 1 box.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Joel Swartz, 2022.

Related Materials

The Rochester Institute of Technology archives is home to the Dr. Ellen Swartz collection, which includes finished furniture, furniture maquettes, and photographic slides of her completed works.

Bibliography

Sidlauskas, Jody. Dr. Ellen Swartz collection [finding aid]. Rochester, NY: RIT Library, 2019. Web. [February 1, 2021]. https://twcarchivesspace.rit.edu/repositories/2/resources/1127.