EXHIBITS

Benjamin Mays: Schoolmaster of the Revolution

January-May 2008

Benjamin Elijah Mays, an early civil rights leader, Baptist minister, academic, and educator, was born in South Carolina in 1894 to sharecroppers. The youngest of eight children, he grew up in a segregated, Jim Crow society (Mays was first allowed to vote in 1945 when he was 51 years old). He graduated from Bates in 1920, after which he earned his Ph.D. at the University of Chicago. In 1922, Mays became a Baptist minister and from 1934 to 1940 was dean of Howard University's School of Religion. He was an advisor to U.S. presidents, served as the first African American president of the Atlanta Board of Education from 1969 to 1981, and was the president of Morehouse College for 27 years, from 1940 to 1967.

Called the "schoolmaster of the revolution," Mays spoke passionately about the importance of education, the desegregation of schools, and the equality of the races. He inspired civil rights leaders, including Julian Bond, Maynard Jackson, Marian Wright Edelman, and the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., a Morehouse graduate, who called Mays "my spiritual mentor and my intellectual father." Mays gave the eulogy at King's funeral, characterizing him as a son “so close and so precious was he to me.”

Mays received honorary degrees from 56 colleges and universities, including Bates which bestowed upon him the Doctor of Divinity in 1947. An accomplished academic, he authored articles for 100 magazines and wrote or contributed to more than 15 books.

The Clean Water Act at 35: A Look Back at Pollution, Policy and People

October 2007-January 2008

October 18, 2007 marked the 35th anniversary of this seminal legislation which established the goals of eliminating releases of high quantities of toxic substances in to water, eliminating additional water pollution by 1985, and ensuring that surface waters would be fishable and swimable by 1983. The exhibit features photographs and documents from the Edmund S. Muskie Papers. Senator Muskie was the primary sponsor and champion of this legislation, which was vetoed by President Nixon. In a stirring floor speech he successfully encouraged his colleagues to override the veto, asking of them:

“Can we afford clean water? Can we afford rivers and lakes and streams and oceans which continue to make life possible on this planet? Can we afford life itself? . . . Those questions were never asked as we destroyed the waters of our Nation, and they deserve no answers as we finally move to restore and renew them. These questions answer themselves."

At Ladd Library until early January 2008.

Bates During World War II: A Look at the Navy V-12 Program

October 2007-January 2008

Bates During World War II: A Look at the Navy V-12 Program

In April of 1943 Bates College was selected as one of 131 colleges and universities to host the Navy officer training program known as V-12. Established in late 1942, the V-12 program was a response to the growing need for college-educated Navy junior officers and Marine Corps lieutenants and to the shrinking enrollment of civilian men in college following the lowering of the draft age to 18 as a result of the United States entering World War II. Throughout the U.S., the V-12 program sent some 120,000 young men to college to receive up to seven semesters of college education. Those who successfully completed their college courses qualified for Navy midshipmen schools or Marine Corps Officer Candidate School, which led to commissions as Navy ensigns or Marine Corps second lieutenants.

The Bates program was commissioned on July 1, 1943 and began with 292 trainees. At a college which had suffered such a dramatic decline in enrollment that its financial future was in jeopardy, the V-12 program brought about dramatic changes. Naval trainees outnumbered civilian students by 2 to 1. Parker Hall and Smith Hall, then known as the new dormitory, were dedicated entirely to housing the men. The academic calendar was changed to a trimester plan, and the curriculum was modified to support the intensive physical and specific academic training needs required by the program. Enrollees pursued a general or pre-med curriculum, taking classes in physics, chemistry, biology and mechanical drawing.

While most of the trainees’ time was consumed by academics and military exercises under the leadership of commanding officer Lt. John C. Cass, the V-12ers nonetheless found time for amusements. They produced a weekly newsletter, The Squall, complete with witty editorials and satirical cartoons; participated in traditional Bates events, such as Winter Carnival; formed a basketball club; and mingled with the co-eds at social outings and the Den.

By the time the program was decommissioned on November 1, 1945, more than 780 trainees had been processed. Many went on to become leaders in society, pursuing successful careers as doctors, lawyers, engineers, dentists, and educators. One Bates trainee became U.S. attorney general, a senator, and a presidential candidate—Robert F. Kennedy. Thanks to the tireless efforts of Dana A. Smith, a 1943 enrollee, the Bates V-12ers had an opportunity to reconnect years after leaving campus. In 1984, Smith organized a V-12 reunion and initiated a newsletter which he continued to publish annually until his death on March 5, 2007. Thanks to the generous support of his family, friends, and fellow V-12ers, the reinstallation of the Muskie Archives lobby, including lounge chairs and a display case, is dedicated in his honor.

At the Muskie Archives until early January 2008.

Bates Then and Now

July-September 2007

"The only thing constant is change." — attributed to Francois de la Rochefoucauld

Those who spend time on a college campus develop affection for "their" campus, the way they experience it in their time. Yet buildings come and go, green spaces and woodlands make way for new construction—the landscape is always changing. This exhibit, featuring photographs and other items from the College Archives, takes a look at the changes Bates has undergone since its founding in 1855. These items document the physical changes both inside and outside the spaces of our familiar campus. On display in the Ladd Library lobby through September 2007.

John Tabliabue

Feburary 2007-June 2007

John Tagliabue (July 1, 1923-May 31, 2006), an accomplished poet and playwright, came to Bates in 1953 to teach Cultural Heritage. Tagliabue, along with his wife, Grace--who was both his spiritual and artistic partner--quickly became an integral part of the Bates community, and remained so for more than half a century. With a generous spirit and warm personality befitting of his Italian roots, Tagliabue was a natural teacher. He developed close friendships with many former students, exchanging letters and poems with some over several decades. He retired in 1989 and passed away on May 31, 2006; Grace survives him. This exhibit is dedicated to his artistic and pedagogical legacy, and includes many of his collaborations with Grace. Read more.

To Have and To Hold: Hunting and Natural History in the 19th C.

Oct. 2006

Although somewhat counter to our modern sensibilities, ornithology and natural history were synonymous with the killing of animals during the early nineteenth century.  This exhibit explores some of the complex issues surrounding the tension between the destruction and preservation of animals during the century, which by its end saw the birth of the modern animal rights movement. Read more.

Flights of Fancy

May 2006

Whether you're fearful of bird flu, a fan of Big Bird, a bird-watcher, or merely bird-brained, Muskie Archives would like to invite you to visit sometime soon, as they have a new display of several volumes from the Stanton Collection. This exhibit showcases nineteenth century ornithology books with exquisitely detailed color plates and beautiful leather covers, with titles ranging from My Feathered Friends, or Bird-Life to The Game Birds of India, Burmah & Ceylon.

Book Arts Exhibit

August 2005

The latest exhibits at Ladd Library are on the history of marbling and on artist's books.Marbled paper has a long and fascinating history dating back to its mythically accidental discovery in imperial Japan. Though it was once an integral part of the book-making process, marbling has become a highly creative decorative art, one which is no longer valued for its utility but rather admired for its beauty. The exhibit displays marbled papers in rare books as well as from the fine press. The rare books have marbled covers, end pages or edges. A variety of noted craftspersons such as Ann Muir, Richard Wolfe and Iris Nevins are represented by the fine press examples.

Artist's books probe the possibilities of the book, invigorating the form with innovative shapes, textures, formats, and images to both compliment and illuminate the text they contain. Here, the ideas of form and content take on an entirely new meaning as various artist's books on display illustrate the potential for a variety of relationships between the physical book and the narrative it conveys. Fine presses featured in this exhibit range from the internationally-known Incline Press of Britain to the Bangor, Maine based Tatlin Books, with an especially wide variety of artist Claire van Vliet's works at Janus Press.

Mayoralty Exhibit

April 2005

Now on display in the lobby of Ladd and running through June 12, 2005, photographs and memorabilia highlighting this unique Bates event.

With the goal of reviving school spirit and having some pre-exam fun, Mayoralty began in 1934 and ended in 1959 after an incident which involved a few overzealous students. It was the inspiration of Milt Lindholm '35, who later became the dean of admissions here at Bates. Find out more from the exhibit!

Stanton Natural History Collection Exhibit

February 2005

Books from the Stanton Natural History Collection are on display in the lobby of the Library until April 11, 2005. Included in the display are photographs of Prof. Stanton from the Library's Special Collections.

The Stanton Natural History Collection was donated in honor of Jonathan Y. Stanton, who served on the faculty at Bates College from 1865-1902, and as instructor of ornithology until his death in 1918. Stanton was also the first librarian of the College, 1865-1895. He was instrumental in the development of debate at Bates College, and supported the formation of the earliest literary societies. The collection consists of materials which were once part of his private library and reflects his interests in natural history in general and ornithology in particular. Included are fine editions by Audubon, Dresser, Eliott, Gould, Mulsant, Sharpe, and others.

Animations in Paper:
Pop-Up Books

December 2004

Movable books originated in medieval times as a way to communicate knowledge within the scientific community. Flaps could uncover layers of anatomy; strings, tabs, and other devices allowed books to show the movement of heavenly bodies.

Beginning in the nineteenth century publishers concentrated on putting moving parts into children's books. Movable books for adults became a very minor segment of this genre. The first pop-up books in the 1930s featured simple displays that jumped up when the reader opened the book. During the next three decades a small number of paper engineers gradually developed new techniques.

Paper engineering really took off in the late 1960s. Working first at Hallmark and then at Intervisual Books, Wally Hunt and Ib Penick created elaborate new paper mechanisms. They also solved the problem of manufacturing, which required laborious handwork to glue and assemble hundreds of parts for each book. They cultivated offshore production facilities where wages were low, in Latin America and later in Asia.

For the last two decades paper engineers have vied to construct ever more complex and original pop-up books. Among the most creative are Ron Van der Meer, David Carter, Robert Sabuda, Keith Mosely, Kees Moerbeek, and James Diaz. Most of these are trained artists who also illustrate and design their books. Although there has been an explosion of pop-up books for pre-schoolers, book artists have not neglected older readers. Many of today's pop-ups are designed once again for adults. Their subjects range from science to popular culture, and everything in between.

Reunion Display at Ladd Library

June 2004

Just in time for Reunion 2004--a double dose of Bates memories is on display in the main lobby of Ladd Library, courtesy of the Batesiana collection of the Edmund S. Muskie Archives and Special Collections Library. One case contains photos of past commencements, ivy days and class days; the other has photos of past reunions, with one shelf devoted to reunion pictures of the classes of 1959, 1964, 1969 and 1974. Make it a point to stop by and see how things were at Bates in past Junes.

Mushroom Book Exhibit at Ladd

June 2002

There is a new exhibit on the main floor of Ladd Library; it features a selection of items about mushrooms. In June 2001, William R. Dill, class of 1951, generously donated over 400 titles from his collection of mycology books to the George and Helen Ladd Library to support the teaching and research mission of the College. The collection demonstrates Mr. Dill's wide interests in mycology and includes field guides to mushrooms throughout the world, recipe books, nature lore, ethnographic studies, and even children's books. The exhibit will be on display until the end of the summer. Please stop by and enjoy it.

Rebecca Goodale

October 2001

Special Collections is hosting an exhibit of recent work by Portland book-artist Rebecca Goodale. The exhibit is in the lobby of Ladd Library and will run to December 7.

Concerning her current project the artist has written: "One summer morning in 1999 I was surprised to see a stunned kingfisher in front of a local Goodwill store. The bird sat quietly in the shade of the shopping plaza and slowly a small crowd of people gathered."

"In an effort to emphasize the concern I felt for that kingfisher, I decided to begin a new project on January 1, 2000. This new body of work has begun to take shape as a series of artist's books and prints about the Maine State lists of endangered and threatened plants and animals. At this time there are 190 plants listed and 34 animals. My intention is not to become a scientific illustrator; instead I hope to illuminate these lists do that the viewer might carefully consider what is at risk of being lost, perhaps forever."

"The imagery often starts out as a portrait of the animal (or plant). The books are usually conceived of first as a group of pages designed to work together within a certain structure. The screen prints are often created from a single page or from the sheet of a book's layout before it is cut and folded. For both the books and prints the majority of the work begins as a silkscreen print which is then developed further with additional brush strokes and collage."

Goodale studied printmaking at the Portland School of Art, and studied textile design at the Memphis College of Art in Memphis, Tennessee, where she received her B.F.A. in 1975. She did graduate work at the Cranbrook Academy of Art, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, and has been an instructor in the Art Department at the University of Southern Maine since 1981.

She has shown her work in numerous solo exhibitions including The Eastland Gallery in Portland, Maine (2001); Tutle Gallery, Deer Isle, ME (2000); Saint Xavier University Gallery, Chicago, IL (1999); Lee Arts Center, Arlington, VA (1998). In group shows she has exhibited at New York Public Library (2000, 1999); Cambridge Arts Cooperative, Cambridge, MA (2001, 1999, 1997, 1996, 1995); The Portland Museum of Art, Portland, ME (1997); The Center for the Book Arts, NYC (1996); and many others.

Her work can be found in the collections of The New York Public Library; The White House Ornament Collection; The Portland Museum of Art; The Maine Women Writers Collection, University of New England, Portland, ME; Hawthorne-Longfellow Library, Bowdoin College; and others.

Exhibit Celebrates the Bates Dance Festival

August 2001

To celebrate the annual Bates Dance Festival we've put some materials on display in the library.

The Bates Dance Festival began in 1983 under the directorship of Marcy Plavin. It is considered to be one of the best dance festivals in the country. Each summer students, dancers, dance companies, choreographers, musicians, and others transform the Bates campus, participating in a unique collaborative environment, and continuing one of the College's underlying goals to be a place for learning and creative exploration.

This summer two volunteers -- Adrienne Monroy and Zoia Cisneros '01 - were processing the Archives of the Bates Dance Festival. To celebrate this, and to highlight some of the work of the festival over the past eighteen years, we've selected some materials - mostly photographs - from the Archives for display in the lobby of the library near the reference and circulation desks. None of the photographs is labelled as we have not yet begun to identify the people in the photos, but we hope you will enjoy the display nonetheless. And thanks to Laura Faure, current director, and Adrienne and Zoia!

Artist's Books
by Martha Hall

February 2001

A new exhibit in the Library -- "Borrowed Bones" -- features the work of Martha Hall, a book artist from Orr's Island, Maine.

In 1989, Hall was diagnosed with breast cancer, and in a search for a creative outlet she discovered artist's books. She writes "...I had finally found a new medium for my creativity and my love of poetry and color... Nearly all my books have explored my cancer experience -- either directly or indirectly through metaphor. They have allowed me to express the importance of living fully each day..." Using hand-made papers, collages, photographs, prints, and paintings, these one-of-a-kind books are also a vivid exploration of the possibility of the book.

Hall has exhibited at Wellesley College, Smith College, Portland Public Library, the New Britain Museum of American Art, the Falmouth Library and the Cancer Community Center in South Portland, Maine. Her works are in the permanent collections of the National Museum of Women in the Arts, Smith College, Wellesley College, Bates College, and numerous private collections.

Sponsored by the Edmund S. Muskie Archives and Special Collections Library, the exhibit runs from February 13 to March 31. Martha Hall spoke at Ladd Library on March 20th from 3:00pm - 4:30pm.