Guide to the Rhode Island School of Design Edna W. Lawrence Nature Lab records , 1996-2005


Rhode Island School of Design Archives
Fleet Library at RISD
2 College Street
Providence, RI 02903
Tel: 401-709-5922
Fax: 401-709-5932
email: risdarchives@risd.edu

Published in 2008

Collection Overview

Title: Edna W. Lawrence Nature Lab records
Date range: 1996-2005
Creator: Edna W. Lawrence Nature Lab
Extent: 2 linear feet
Abstract: This collection documents the activities of Karen Idoine between 1996-2005 in her position as the curator of the Nature Lab, and primarily contains information pertaining to the planning and execution of events sponsored by the Nature Lab.
Language of materials: English
Repository: Rhode Island School of Design Archives
Collection number: 08.06

Scope & content

This collection documents the activities of Karen Idoine between 1996-2005 in her position as the curator of the Nature Lab, and primarily contains information pertaining to the planning and execution of events sponsored by the Nature Lab. Among the records included are meeting minutes, Karen Idoine's notes, budgets, correspondence, slides, news clippings, release forms, information on program presenters, flyers, pamphlets, publications and promotional materials, photographs, architectural plans and drafts of speeches.

Also included in the collection is a small group of records addressing the administrative functions of the Nature Lab, including a five year plan, reports, budgetary information and publicity materials.

Additionally, the collection includes 17 audio and 28 video cassettes documenting Reimagining Ecology, a symposium held at RISD in 1998 as a part of A Year of Art and Nature that attracted a large number of presenters from both the arts and sciences. Many of the video and audio cassettes encompass information about both the Year of Art and Nature and Reimagining Ecology. These cassettes are found under the Reimagining Ecology series. Two video cassettes relating to the 60th Anniversary of the Nature Lab are in the Subject Files series. Audio cassettes are marked with an 'A' in the folder list, video cassettes are marked with a 'V.'

Access Points

Subject Organizations Subject Names Subject Organizations Subject Topics Subject Topics Document Types

Arrangement

The materials are in two series:

  • I. Event files, 1996-2005
  • II. Administrative files, 1998-2003

Historical note

The Nature Lab was established in 1937 by Edna W. Lawrence, a faculty member and alumna of RISD, to offer students the opportunity to experience the patterns and structures found within natural objects. The collection has grown to include more than 80,000 nature specimens including shells, bones, insects, birds, mammals, reptiles, crustaceans, wood, feathers and a small collection of live animals.

Access & Use

Access to the collection: The use of certain documents and collections may be restricted. Please consult the Archives staff for further deatails.
Use of the materials: Permission to publish, reproduce, or quote from archival materials must be obtained in writing from the Archives. The researcher assumes full responsibility for use of material and for conformity to all applicable laws, including copyright.
Preferred citation: Rhode Island School of Design. Edna W. Lawrence Nature Lab records, Rhode Island School of Design Archives.
Contact information: Rhode Island School of Design Archives
Fleet Library at RISD
2 College Street
Providence, RI 02903
Tel: 401-709-5922
Fax: 401-709-5932
email: risdarchives@risd.edu

Administrative Information

ABOUT THE COLLECTION  
Acquisition: The records were transferred from the Edna W. Lawrence Nature Lab.
ABOUT THE FINDING AID  
Author: Finding aid prepared by Jessica Bitely.
Encoding: Finding aid encoded by Jessica Bitely and Douglas Doe 2008 November 14
Descriptive rules: Finding aid based on Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS)

Additional Information

Inventory


Series I. Event files

Subseries I. Subject files

Container Description Date
Box 1, Folder 1 Barlow, Connie
1997 Dec-1998 Feb
Box 1, Folder 2 Bateson, Mary Catherine
1997 Oct-1998 Jan
Box 1, Folder 3 Billian, Cathy
undated
Box 1, Folder 4 Bonner, John T., Dr.
1998 Oct-1999 March
Box 1, Folder 5 Earth Day
1993-1996
Box 1, Folder 6 Freedburg, David
2005
Box 1, Folder 7 Green by Design
2004
Box 1, Folder 8 Green by Design
2004
Box 1, Folder 9 Hull, Lynne
2000
Box 1, Folder 10 Inspired by Nature- Budget and Accounting
2004
Box 1, Folder 11 Inspired by Nature- General
2004
Box 1, Folder 12 Inspired by Nature- Notes
2004
Box 1, Folder 13 Inspired by Nature- Planning
2004
Box 1, Folder 14 Inspired by Nature- Publicity
2004
Box 1, Folder 15 Inspired by Nature- Presenters
2004
Box 2, Folder 1 Lighting Studio Project
2000
Box 2, Folder 2 Lighting Studio Project slides
2000
Box 2, Folder 3 Lopez, Barry visit- Budget and Planning
2000
Box 2, Folder 4 Lopez, Barry visit General
1998-2000
Box 2, Folder 5 Lopez, Barry visit- Rhode Island Committee for Humanities
1999-2000
Box 2, Folder 6 Margulis, Lynn
1997
Box 2, Folder 7 Orr, David
1998
Box 2, Folder 8 Program Ideas
1997-1998
Box 2, Folder 9 Seeing Our World
2001-2004
Box 2, Folder 10 Spina, Steve: Ecological Responsibility in Art and Design
1992
Box 2, Folder 11 Stevens, Peter
undated
Box 2, Folder 12 Thomashow, Mitchell
1996-1998
Box 2, Folder 13 Walker-Leslie, Clare
1997-1999
Box 3, Folder 1 Year of Art and Nature- 60th Anniversary of the Nature Lab
1996-1997
Box 3, Folder 2 Year of Art and Nature- Budget and Accounting
1997-1998
Box 3, Folder 3 Year of Art and Nature- General
1997-1998
Box 3, Folder 4 Year of Art and Nature- Planning
1997
Box 6, Folder 29V Nature Lab 60th Anniversary filmed by Chani Becker FAV '98 during RISD by Design weekend (pt. 1)
1997 Oct 17
Box 6, Folder 30V Nature Lab 60th Anniversary filmed by Chani Becker FAV '98 (pt. 2)
1997 Oct 17
Oversize Oversize Lighting Studio Project plans
2000
Oversize Oversize Display case, vitrine and desk plans
2005
Oversize Oversize Wilson, John lecture poster
2007 Oct 5

Subseries II. Reimagining Ecology

Container Description Date
Box 3, Folder 5 Budget and Accounting
1997-1998
Box 3, Folder 6 Correspondence
1997-1998
Box 3, Folder 7 Fundraising
1997-1998
Box 3, Folder 8 Meeting Notes
1997-1998
Box 3, Folder 9 Orion Society- Correspondence
1997-1998
Box 3, Folder 10 Orion Society- General
1996-1998
Box 3, Folder 11 Participant Materials- Abram, David
1998
Box 3, Folder 12 Participant Materials- Campus Contacts
1998, undated
Box 3, Folder 13 Participant Materials- General
1997-1998, undated
Box 4, Folder 1 Participant Materials- Volk, Tyler
1997-1998
Box 4, Folder 2 Participant Materials- Wilson, E.O.
1998
Box 4, Folder 3 Planning
1997-1998, undated
Box 4, Folder 4 Program
undated
Box 4, Folder 5 Promotional Materials
1998
Box 4, Folder 6 Release: Bass, Rick
1998 Sept
Box 4, Folder 7 Taping documentation
1998-1999
Box 5, Folder 1A Art and Nature Symposium
1998 April 13
Box 5, Folder 1V "Nature Romp" Holly Hughes
1998 April 13
Box 5, Folder 2A 2:15 Panel: S. Oliver - M. Beresford "Responding to the Environment"
1998 April 14
Box 5, Folder 2V "Ask Coyote" Duane Slick
1998 April 13
Box 5, Folder 3A "Images from the Deepest Sea"
1998 April 14
Box 5, Folder 3V Reimagining Ecology
1998 April 14
Box 5, Folder 4A 9:30 pm: Michael Singer and Nancy Connery
1998 April 16
Box 5, Folder 4V Reimagining Ecology
1998 April 14
Box 5, Folder 5A Joellyn Duesberry and Tyler Volk
1998 April 16
Box 5, Folder 5V Reimagining Ecology
1998 April 14
Box 5, Folder 6A Tyler Volk Q and A
1998 April 16
Box 5, Folder 6V Reimagining Ecology
1998 April 15
Box 5, Folder 7A Art and Nature Symposium
1998 April 16
Box 5, Folder 7V Reimagining Ecology
1998 April 15
Box 5, Folder 8A Connie Barlow discussion Ewing House - open discussion
1998 April 16
Box 5, Folder 8V Reimagining Ecology
1998 April 15
Box 5, Folder 9A Adam Hurst, cellist - John McQueen - Pattiann Rogers
1998 April 17
Box 5, Folder 9V Reimagining Ecology
1998 April 16
Box 5, Folder 10A J and N Todd - Art and Advocacy panel
1998 April 17
Box 5, Folder 11A Pattiann Rogers - Rick Bass
1998 April 17
Box 5, Folder 12A Art and Advocacy Q and A Connie Barlow discussion
1998 April 17
Box 5, Folder 13A Panel - Christina Bertoni moderator 9:30 - 11:00
1998 April 18
Box 5, Folder 14A 11:15 panel
1998 April 18
Box 5, Folder 15A 1:30 presentation
1998 April 18
Box 5, Folder 16A 3:30 panel
1998 April 18
Box 5, Folder 17A Richard Nelson and Scott R. Sanders
1998 April 18
Box 6, Folder 10V Reimagining Ecology, 1998 April 16
1998 April 16
Box 6, Folder 11V "Artists Transform the Built Environment" 7:30 pm Michael Singer and Nancy Connery
1998 April 16
Box 6, Folder 12V Michael Singer (cont.)
1998 April 16
Box 6, Folder 13V "From Eco Cities to Living Machines" John / Nancy Todd
1998 April 17
Box 6, Folder 14V "From Eco Cities to Living Machines" John / Nancy Todd
1998 April 17
Box 6, Folder 15V "From Eco Cities to Living Machines" John / Nancy Todd Art and Advocacy panel Rick Bass, David Hanson, Richard Nelson
1998 April 17
Box 6, Folder 16V Art and Advocacy panel (cont.) Rick Bass, David Hanson, Richard Nelson
1998 April 17
Box 6, Folder 17V "The Next (Big) sic Thing" John McQueen
1998 April 17
Box 6, Folder 18V Readings: Pattiann Rogers and Rick Bass (pt. 1)
1998 April 17
Box 6, Folder 19V Readings: Pattiann Rogers and Rick Bass (pt. 2)
1998 April 17
Box 6, Folder 20V "Photographing Nature"
1998 April 18
Box 6, Folder 21V "Photographing Nature" / "Eco Echoes"
1998 April 18
Box 6, Folder 22V "Restorying Ecology in R.I."
1998 April 18
Box 6, Folder 23V "Restorying Ecology in R.I."
1998 April 18
Box 6, Folder 24V Final Session: Readings: Richard Nelson
1998 April 18
Box 6, Folder 25V Final Session: Readings: Scott Russell Sanders
1998 April 18
Box 6, Folder 26V "Poetic Nature of Materials and Place"
1998 April 18
Box 6, Folder 27V "Poetic Nature of Materials and Place" "Discovering the Language of Home"
1998 April 18
Box 6, Folder 28V "Discovering the Language of Home"
1998 April 18

Series II. Administrative files

Container Description Date
Box 4, Folder 8 Five Year Plan
2000
Box 4, Folder 9 Publication Materials- Fallon, Molly
1999-2002
Box 4, Folder 10 Publication Materials- General
1998-2003, undated
Box 4, Folder 11 Report: 65 Years in the Hands of Students
2000-2003, undated