Summary |
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| Creator: | Cortese, Don. |
| Title: | Don Cortese Papers |
| Dates: | 1962-2022 |
| Size: | 1.5 linear feet |
| Abstract: | Correspondence, course materials, and photographs related to Don Cortese's career as an artist, papermaker, printmaker, and professor at Syracuse University |
| Language: | English |
| Repository: |
University Archives, Special Collections Research Center Syracuse University Libraries 222 Waverly Ave., Suite 600 Syracuse, NY 13244-2010 https://library.syracuse.edu/special-collections-research-center/university-archives |
Biography
Don Cortese (b. 1934) is an alumnus of Syracuse University and was a professor in the School of Art and Design in the College of Visual Performing Arts.
Cortese studied drawing and painting at the Art Institute of Chicago and earned his master's degree in fine arts at Syracuse University in 1964. In 1965 Cortese was offered a position as an instructor in the School of Art teaching design and general drawing. In 1975 he served as the art coordinator for Syracuse University's Division of International Programs Abroad in London, where he became fascinated with printmaking and more familiar with examples of English nineteenth- and twentieth-century private presses.
After returning to Syracuse University, Cortese developed a hand papermaking course, with support from the Department of Pulp and Papers in the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry. Cortese also developed a program on hand papermaking and book arts in the University's studio for printmaking at the Comstock Art Facility. In 2000 Cortese was named interim director of the Syracuse in Florence program.
Cortese retired from Syracuse University and was awarded emeritus status in 2001. His work explores the boundaries between printmaking, bookmaking, drawing, and collage and has been exhibited and recognized in both national and international print competitions. Throughout his career he traveled extensively throughout Europe, conducting print and papermaking workshops. His work has been featured in collections such as The Art Institute of Chicago; the Boston Public Library; the Frans Masereel Centrum, Belgium; Jaffe Center for Book Arts, Florida Atlantic University; and Uffizzi Gallery, Florence.
Scope and Content Note
The Don Cortese Papers include correspondence, lecture notes and slides, photographs, and biographical information about Don Cortese. The papers comprise three series:
The Biographical materials series is composed of documents about Cortese's personal and professional history. There is also a Syracuse University Chancellor's award for Public Service.
The Correspondence subject files series contains professional communications between Cortese, colleagues, artists, and various institutions such as museums, universities, and galleries. Subject files documenting specific events, exhibitions, and conferences are included, such as the International Paper Conference in Japan, the Jaffe Center for Book Arts exhibition, and the Altered Spaces Collective. Additionally, the series contains folders detailing Cortese's trips to London, Belgium, and Italy. Two letters are written in Spanish and Italian respectively.
Within the Course materials and slides series are course syllabi, lecture notes, and slides covering hand papermaking, printmaking, and book arts.
Restrictions
Access Restrictions
Please note that the collection is housed off-site, and advance notice is required to allow time to have the materials brought to the Reading Room on campus.
Use Restrictions
Written permission must be obtained from the Syracuse University Archives and all relevant rights holders before publishing quotations, excerpts or images from any materials in this collection.
Related Material
All Syracuse University Division of International Programs Abroad (DIPA) records have been removed and incorporated into the SU Abroad Records, and three clippings have been added to Don Cortese's file in the Syracuse University Clipping Files Collection.
Additional information about Don Cortese can be found in the Syracuse University Clipping Files Collection.
Selected Search Terms
Names
Subjects
Types of material
Administrative Information
Preferred Citation
Preferred citation for this material is as follows:
Don Cortese Papers,
University Archives,
Special Collections Research Center
Syracuse University Libraries
Acquisition Information
Gift of Don Cortese in 2024.
Processing Information
Color slides and course materials were removed from binders. Original labels were transcribed onto new folders. Documents were removed from plastic sleeves. Photographs were placed in Mylar sleeves. Materials were placed in acid-free folders and acid-free boxes.
Finding Aid Information
Created by: Hadiya Lee
Date: 2024
Revision history:
Inventory
| Biographical materials | |||||||||||
| Box 1 | Chancellor's Award for Public Service 2000 | ||||||||||
| Box 1 | [General] 1970-2001 | ||||||||||