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Manuscript Collections

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Guide to the Papers of Donald McNamee

University of Saskatchewan Archives

©2004

Contact Information

University of Saskatchewan Archives.
301 Murray Building (Main Library)
3 Campus Drive
Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A4,
Canada.
Telephone: (306) 966-6028
Fax: (306) 966-6040
Email: university.archives@usask.ca
URL: http://www.usask.ca/archives/

Processed by: Cheryl Avery.
Date completed: Mar. 12, 2004
Encoded by: Janet Catterall.

©2004 University of Saskatchewan. All rights reserved.



Table of Contents

Titlepage

Descriptive Summary

Biographical Note

Scope and Content Note

Description of Series/Container List

Academic/Artistic Series
Coalition for Human Equality Series

Descriptive Summary

Title: Papers of Donald McNamee.
Repository: University of Saskatchewan Archives.
Date: 1954-1993,
: predominant 1968-1993.
Origination: University of Saskatchewan Archives.
Language: English, some French, Russian.
Abstract: This fonds contains personal correspondence and considerable reference material rleating to the art and work in human rights of Donald McNamee.
Physical Description: Textual records, photographs, sketches, video tape.1.73 m. + oversize

Personal telephone numbers and addresses will be closed, in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Personal Privacy legislation. There are no other restrictions.

Biographical Note

Donald Keith McNamee was born in Assiniboia, Saskatchewan, in 1938. He earned a BA from the University of Saskatchewan, and both an MA and MFA from the University of Ohio. He returned to the University of Saskatchewan, where he taught Art and Art History for twenty years. In 1985 he left the University to establish his own business, doing independent architectural design.

In addition to his career as an artist, McNamee was a fixture in Saskatoon’s gay and lesbian community. Meetings at his house were used to help start the first gay organisation in Saskatoon, the Zodiac Friendship Society (later, the Gay/Lesbian Community Centre of Saskatoon). In the early 1980s McNamee was one of the founding members of the Coalition for Human Equality (CHE), formed to respond to perceptions of homophobia in the provincial Conservative government of the time. McNamee was instrumental in the Coalition, and was particularly effective in the 1992 campaign to urge the NDP government to amend the human rights legislation to protect gays and lesbians from discrimination.

He died of cancer in Saskatoon on 2 July 1994.

Scope and Content Note

This fonds contains personal correspondence relating both to McNamee’s art, and his work in human rights. In addition, there is considerable reference material documenting both his work, and the work of others, within the art community and for the Coalition for Human Equality. The material on CHE not only provides extensive documentation of that organisations work in Saskatoon and particularly, in the fight to have the province’s human rights legislation amended; but also contains documentation from similar organisations across Canada.

Description of Series/Container List

Academic/Artistic Series

A. Academic/Artistic, 1961-1978.

This series consists of records related to McNamee’s academic and artistic career. The series includes correspondence, research, lectures, exhibition material, drafts, photographs, brochures, posters, memoranda, reference material, etc.

The series is organised into the following subseries: I. Correspondence; II. Research, Lectures, Exhibitions, Art; III. Subject/Nominal; IV. Reference Material.

I. CORRESPONDENCE
   
Box File No. Contents
1 1.   Dave Barr. 1967-1968.
1 2.   Charles Biederuan. 1954-1955, 1965, 1968.
   Includes copies of Biederman’s correspondence with Einar Oftendahl.
1 3   Eli Bornstein. 1963-1967.
1 4   Gertrude M. Brown. nd, 1967, 1969.
1 5.   A.J. Casson. 1972.
1 6.   Martha Cooke. 1961.
   Includes draft of untitles article.
1 7.   Alan Frese. 1968.
1 8.   Adrian de Hoog. 1970-1972.
1 9.   Kazimir Gallery. 1968, 1971.
1 10.   Joanna Kindt. 1968.
1 11.   Ross L. Mooney. 1968.
1 12.   Leif Sjoberg. 1966.
1 13.   Elizabeth Wilmott. 1961-1968.
1 14.   Elizabeth Wilmott. Article. 1974.
   Includes correspondence, notes, and a copy of Willmott’s first draft of “Technology & Nature: A Mid-West Synthesis,” together with Gregory Battcock’s “Marcuse and Anti-Art.”
1 15.   Dr. Witold Zaleski. 1968.
1 16.   Miscellaneous Correspondence, nd, 1961-1976.
   Includes translation of Theo van Doesburg's "The Will to Create Style."
 
II. RESEARCH, LECTURES, EXHIBITIONS, ART
   
Box File No. Contents
  A. Articles.
1 1.   "The Pioneer Ideas of Walter Benjamin."
1 2.   Book Reviews, 1975.
1 3.   Theo van Doesburg.
   (5 folders.)
1 4.   Miscellaneous Notes.
  B. Exhibitions.
1 5.   Hans Dommasch, "Form in Nature." Catalogue. [ca. 1974].
1 6.   Hans Dommasch, "Form in Nature" Photographs.
1 7.   "11 Painters." 1965.
   Brochure and photograph of artists.
1 8.   "Don McNamee. " Catalogue. 1968. Mendel Art Gallery, Saskatoon.
1 9.   "Don McNamee." Photographs.
   See also Photographs - Nature.
1 10.   "Relief/Construction/Relief." 1968.
   Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago.
1 11.   "Structure in Art." Budget. 1972-1973.
   University of Saskatchewan.
1 12.   "Structure in Art." Catalogue.
1 13.   "Structure in Art." Correspondence.
   (3 folders.)
2 14.   "Structure in Art." Invitations.
2 15.   "Structure in Art." Photographs, Catalogue.
2 16.   "Structure in Art." Photographs, Opening and Exhibit.
2 17.   "The Young Structuralist Generation.." [1967], 1968. Invitations.
   
Linfield College Art Centre, Oregon;
Kazimir Gallery, Chicago.
See also below, "Randall Jelinek."
  C. Miscellaneous.
2 18.   [Catalogue/Scrapbook.]
2 19.   [Lecture Notes/Materials.]
2 20.   Lectures- Turner in the British Museum
   Slides, notes.
2 21.   MA Remnants. [ca. 1963].
2 22.   MA Thesis. "Parallel Ideas to Structuralist Art and My Works." 1963, 1966.
2 23.   Miscellaneous Ideas.
2 24.   Miscellaneous Xeroxes.
   Includes "Le Dynamism de l'architecture moderne."
2 25.   Sketchbooks.
   2 sketchbooks, with notes, water-colour, pen, felt pen, and pencil drawings.
   * See oversize.
2 26.   Working Blueprints.
 
III. SUBJECT/NOMINAL
   
Box File No. Contents
2 1.   Art Committee of Council, 1971-1974.
2 2.   Art Department - Studio Program. 1976-1977.
   Brochure.
2 3.   Art Scene. 1967.
2 4.   Canada Council. 1969, 1974.
2 5.   Canada Council - Assessments. 1976.
2 6.   The Centennial Play. 1967.
   By Robertson Davies, W.O. Mitchell, Arthur L. Murphy, Eric Nicol, Yves Theriault; music by Keith Bissell.
2 7.   Clippings.
2 8.   Customs. 1968.
2 9.   CV.
2 10.   Randall Jelinek. 1967.
2 11.   Letters of Recommendation. nd., 1968.
2 12.   Marlow Moss.
   [textual + photos].
2 13.   MA Thesis, Anthony McAulay. 1973.
2 14.   Munsell.
   [Colour Charts].
2 15.   National Gallery of Canada. 1968.
   Regarding the “Seventh Biennial of Canadian Painting;” McNamee was one of the artists included in this exhibition.
2 16.   Ohio State University. 1961-1966.
2 17.   Mr Pettigrew, [University of Saskatchewan Business Office]. 1968.
2 18.   Posters. 1979, 1981.
   Designs for the Learned Societies conference, and Martin Sherman’s play, “Bent.” “Stazewski from Poland” poster - see oversize.
2 19.   President's Reports. 1969-1973.
   Memoranda regarding promotion and tenure.
2 20.   Principal. 1968-1977.
   Material regarding salary and promotion.
2 21.   Dr.and Mrs. Weinstein. 1968.
 
IV. REFERENCE MATERIAL
   
Box File No. Contents
3 1.   Articles by Others.
   (2 folders.)
3 2.   Photographs. [Exhibitions].
3 3.   Photographs: Kandinsky.
3 4.   Photographs: Miscellaneous.
3 5.   Photographs: Nature.
3 6.   Photographs: Other Artist's work.
3 7.   Photographs: Reliefs.
   (3 folders.)
3 8.   Photographs: The Tate Gallery.
3 9.   Photographs: 2D Work/Sculpture/Other.
3 10.   Photographs: [Elizabeth Willmott].
3 11.   Negatives.
3 12.   Slides.
   (2 folders + 6 slide cases.)
  Books.
4 13.   Rococo to Cubism in Art and Literature.
4 13.   Interaction of Color.
4 13.   Mondrian Paintings. (2 copies.)
4 13.   W Kregu Konstruktywizmu.
4 13.   Art and the Future.
4 13.   From Surface to Space.
4 13.   Plastycy Wybrzeza.
  Catalogues.
4 14.   "Constructivist Tendencies."
4 14.   "Naum Gabo."
4 14.   "Paul Klee: The Last Years."
4 14.   "Moholy-Nagy."
4 14.   "Charles Biederman."
4 14.   "Charles Biederman: The Structurist Relief."
4 14.   "Plus by Minus: Today’s Half-Century."
4 14.   "Bauhaus." (2 copies.)
4 14.   "Walker Art Centre."
4 14.   "Goya."
4 14.   "Bozena Grabowska."
4 14.   "British Handmade Glass."
4 14.   "Western Printmakers."
4 14.   "Mar10 Moss." (3 copies.)
4 14.   "Polish Art Today."
4 14.   "Gorin."
4 14.   "Jean Gorin."
4 14.   "Contemporary Yugoslav Graphic Art."
4 14.   "Peter Lanyon."
4 14.   "Russische Avantgarde 1910-1930."
4 14.   "Eli Bornstein: Structurist Reliefs."
4 14.   "Order and Experience."
4 14.   "Malevich."
   *see oversize. “Stazewski.”
4 15.   Periodicals.

Coalition for Human Equality Series

B. Coalition for Human Equality, 1978-1994

This series consists of records related to McNamee’s involvement in the struggle for gay rights. Included is correspondence, memoranda, reports, clippings, etc. related to various subjects, people, places, and events.

The series is organised into three subseries: I. Correspondence and administration; II. Reference Material; III. Addendum.

I. CORRESPONDENCE & ADMINISTRATION
   
Box File No. Contents
5 1.   Alberta- Calgary. 1989-1990.
   Minutes, correspondence, reports.
5 2.   Alberta- Edmonton. 1987-1993.
   Minutes, correspondence, reports, etc.
   (2 folders.)
5 3.   Alberta- General. nd., 1989, 1994.
   Includes Veysey vs. The Commissioner of the Correctional Service of Canada; and Regina vs. Vriend et al.
5 4.   British Columbia. 1992.
   Speech from the Throne, clipping.
5 5.   Correspondence. 1989-1993.
   (6 folders.)
5 6.   Egale/Federal. [1988-1991].
   (2 folders.)
5 7.   Egale Regina. 1987-1990.
   Minutes, correspondence, newsletters, etc.
5 8.   Entertainment.
   Miscellaneous posters, notes, etc. re: dances, social events, etc.
5 9.   Financial. 1987-1990.
5 10.   Health. 1988-1990.
   Brochures, articles, correspondence, etc. regarding aids and other health issues.
5 11.   Homophobes. 1988-1993.
6 12.   Incorporation Documents.
6 13.   Manitoba. 1984-1988.
   Minutes, correspondence, reports.
6 14.   Marriage.
6 15.   Minutes. 1987-1992.
   Also includes some minutes from other groups, such as Saskatoon Committee for Gay and Lesbian Rights.
6 16.   Miscellaneous.
   (2 folders).
6 17.   Miscellaneous - Administrative.
6 18.   New Brunswick. 1988-1992.
6 19.   Newfoundland. 1987.
   Brief presented regarding human rights legislation.
6 20.   Newsclippings. 1987-1993.
   (8 folders.)
6 21.   Ontario. 1986-1992.
7 22.   Personal. 1988-1994.
   Correspondence, cv, obituary article.
7 23.   Policing issues.
7 24.   Religion.
7 25.   Robinson, Svend.
   Copies of "Ottawa Update," Saturday Night article; correspondence, etc.
7 26.   Romanovsky & Phillips Concert. 1992.
   Posters, articles, photographs, etc.
7 27.   Saskatchewan - Human Rights Campaign. 1991-1994.
   Correspondence, briefs, background material, xeroxes from Hansard, etc.
7 28.   Saskatoon (City). 1989-1990.
   Correspondence, etc.
7 29.   University of Saskatchewan.
   Primarily articles from the Sheaf or Star Phoenix.
7 30.   Unions. 1990.
7 31.   Yukon. 1978-1989.
   Human rights acts.
 
II. REFERENCE MATERIAL
   
Box File No. Contents
7 1.   Binder.
7 2.   Video.
 
III. ADDENDUM
   Acce 996-30.
   
Box File No. Contents
7 1.   Correspondence (Photocopies) between Don McNamee and Elizabeth Willmont. April 1996.