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T. F. Poduska papers

 Collection
Identifier: IWA0672

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Scope and Contents

The T. F. Poduska papers date from 1965 to 2015 and measure 15 linear inches in three boxes. The papers are arranged in three series: Biographical, Exhibitions and Awards, and Writing. The Biographical series (2016) contains information written about the collection, referred to as “TF’s Library” as well as a copy of Poduska’s obituary. The series also holds several autobiographical writings focused on her artwork. The Exhibitions and Awards series (1946-1987) contains newspaper clippings, posters, programs, and photographs from art shows and exhibits that Poduska’s work was featured in. The Writing series (1981-2013) holds a large number of writing done by Poduska and her family members. This includes memories of their childhoods, stories about their family, and other personal pieces. Poduska also wrote about her travels both internationally and across Iowa, as well as several descriptions of her paintings. This series also contains T. F. Poduska’s memoirs, “OK, OK, I’ll Paint” and “OK, OK, I’ll Paint II”, which explore her career.

Dates

  • Creation: 1946, 1966-2003, 2011, 2014, 2016

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

The papers are open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright held by the donor has been transferred to The University of Iowa.

Biographical / Historical

Thelma Fleming (T. F.) was born on December 6, 1925, in Cedar Falls, Iowa. She attended Iowa State Teachers College (University of Northern Iowa) and earned her B. A. in Art Education. In 1948, T. F. married Robert Poduska and the two moved to Denver, Colorado. T. F. Poduska worked in her in-home art studio to be near her daughters, Ann and Sue. Poduska painted with acrylics, created weavings, and experimented with colors inspired by the nature around her. Poduska understood herself as a “translator of nature.” She wrote throughout her life both about her life and art.

Extent

15 linear inches

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

T. F. Poduska was a painter and advocate for the arts.

Arrangement

Artist from Cedar Falls, Iowa.

Method of Acquisition

The papers (donor no. 178) were donated by Rosemary Tharp in 1993 and Ann McCue in 2022.

Related Materials

Rosemary Tharp papers (IWA): Rosemary Tharp was T.F. Poduska's sister. Her papers include a photocopied family history which contains a few drawings by Poduskaas well as family photographs.

Author
Marnie Schroer, 1995. Beatrice Kearns, 2023.
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
eng

Repository Details

Part of the Iowa Women's Archives Repository

Contact:
100 Main Library
University of Iowa Libraries
Iowa City IA 52242 IaU
319-335-5068
319-335-5900 (Fax)