They Came, They Saw, They Edited

Volunteers working in the library. Photo: Sarah Osborne Bender

Volunteers working in the library. Photo: Sarah Osborne Bender

On Sunday, about fifteen volunteers came to the Phillips Library to help create and expand Wikipedia articles related to American artists both in our Made in the U.S.A. exhibition and the rest of our permanent collection. It was a great day of work; many articles were improved and others created from scratch. The spirit behind Wikipedia aligns with our museum’s mission statement—a dynamic environment for collaboration, innovation, engagement with the world, scholarship, and new forms of public participation—and this was all evident here on Sunday in abundance.  Many thanks to Wikimedia DC members for being so generous with their experience and enthusiasm.

Getting GLAM with American Art

wikipedia made in the usaIn recent years, Wikipedia GLAM (Galleries, Libraries, Archives and Museums) Edit-a-thons have taken place at prestigious institutions such as the New York Public Library, the Smithsonian, the British Library, and numerous presidential and university libraries. At these edit-a-thons, volunteers new and experienced come together (often in service of a theme such as Art+Feminism) to create or expand Wikipedia articles. They have the opportunity to draw on some of the highest quality library and archives collections in the world.

This Sunday, June 29, from 11 to 5, the Phillips, in partnership with Wikimedia DC, is hosting a Made in the USA-themed edit-a-thon to create and expand Wikipedia articles on artists in the exhibition and American artists in our permanent collection. What better way to celebrate the upcoming Independence Day holiday than by jumping into the largest democratic experiment on the Internet? Follow this link for more information and to rsvp to attend: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Meetup/DC/Phillips_Collection

“Wait, that wasn’t there last week…”

Two paintings by Arthur B. Davies

Two works by Arthur B. Davies: (left) Dew Drops, not dated, Oil on canvas 13 x 15 5/8 in.; 33.02 x 39.6875 cm.. Acquired 1923. (Right) Elysian Fields, not dated, Oil on canvas 18 x 30 in.; 45.72 x 76.2 cm.. Acquired 1927.

Because our exhibition Made in the USA has a uniquely long run, we’re keeping the story going by swapping out some works for others. Just yesterday a crop of new paintings went up on the walls by Arthur B. Davies, Robert Spencer, and Albert Pinkham Ryder. Come see the show (again) to find other changes.

(Left) Robert Spencer, Across the Delaware, ca. 1916, Oil on canvas 14 x 14 in.; 35.56 x 35.56 cm.. Acquired by 1921, probably 1917. (Right) Albert Pinkham Ryder, Homeward Bound, ca. 1893-ca. 1894, Oil on canvas mounted on wood panel 8 7/8 x 18 in.; 22.5425 x 45.72 cm.. Acquired 1921.

(Left) Robert Spencer, Across the Delaware, ca. 1916, Oil on canvas 14 x 14 in.; 35.56 x 35.56 cm.. Acquired by 1921, probably 1917. (Right) Albert Pinkham Ryder, Homeward Bound, ca. 1893-ca. 1894, Oil on canvas mounted on wood panel 8 7/8 x 18 in.; 22.5425 x 45.72 cm.. Acquired 1921.