Duke University. Art Association.

The Duke University Art Association was formed by William K. Boyd in 1930. The Association planned and organized art exhibits, gallery talks, and other art appreciation activities on the Duke campus until the early 1940s.

From the description of Art Association records, bulk 1930-1938. (Duke University Library). WorldCat record id: 60654580

In 1930, Duke University professor William K. Boyd, pursuing the early concept of a library-museum for the Woman's College Library, negotiated with Margaret L. Barber for a twenty-five year loan of a substantial part of her collection. Mrs. Barber, of Williamsburg, Missouri, spent her life collecting art and antiques. In a letter calling the organizing meeting in October 1930, Boyd wrote: "I have a feeling that the time has come for us to organize a Duke Art Club or Art League with the immediate objective of finding ways and means to purchase the paintings and books sent to us by Mrs. Barber."

In response to Boyd's letter, a group of prominent Duke faculty and administrators and their spouses met in the Woman's College Library on October 21, 1930 to discuss the organization of the Art League of Duke University. The meeting minutes state: "Dr. Boyd appointed the following executive committee to serve with him: Mrs. White, Mrs. Webb, Dr. R. L. Flowers, Mrs. Few, Dr. Harvie Branscombe, Mrs. Gross, Dr. Paul Baum, and Mrs. Griggs. The following officers were selected: W. K. Boyd, Chairman; Mrs. N. I. White, Vice-Chairman; Mrs. Lillian B. Griggs, Secretary-Treasurer." At one of the first meetings, members decided to change the name of the organization to the Art Association.

The Art Association continued to plan and organize exhibits, gallery talks, and other art events, until Boyd's death in 1938, after which the activities of the Art Association went into decline. However, the formal study of art at Duke University began with the establishment of the Department of Aesthetics, Art, and Music in 1942. The Barber Collection was displayed at the Woman's College Library until 1956, when the twenty-five year plan ended. At that time, Duke University purchased a few pieces from the Barber estate.

From the guide to the Art Association Records, ., bulk 1930 - 1938, (University Archives, Duke University)