Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- circa 1960s and 1970s (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
4 watercolor paintings
Context area
Name of creator
Administrative history
In 1965, Paul McConaughy had been searching for an inexpensive way to produce limited editions of watercolor prints. He decided to try his idea out at his alma mater and made a series of prints of Cornell University buildings. They were an instant hit and the College Watercolor Group was formed. Soon they were making inexpensive watercolor prints of college buildings from all over the country. Following the model developed by Currier & Ives more than a century before, they would make a pen and ink drawing of a building, have it reproduced on watercolor paper as an 8” x 10” lithograph and then have artists color paint each picture. Limited edition sets of 4 scenes or large prints, framed or unframed were available.
Professional artists were added to the staff, the quality greatly improved. One of the artists, E.B. Walden, began signing his pictures “Gray”, based on a watercolor hue “Davy’s Gray”. Soon, each artist began using the Gray surname but a different first name. Walden became Davis Gray, with over a dozen other artists taking the last name. From this play on names, the business became known as “Gray’s Watercolors”.
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Content and structure area
Scope and content
This appears to be a collection of commissioned works, created sometime in the 1960's or 1970's according to the organization's web site. These were most likely done in the later part of that period, as evidenced by the citation on the picture of Lincoln Hall as the "Lincoln Music Hall" – the library had already shifted, so this was after 1975 or so. Given this date, the painting of Old North (razed in 1962) was very likely done from a photograph, as the others also may have been reproduced.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
The collection is open for research, but please note that the materials in the Archives do not circulate and can only be used In the SDSU Archives and Special Collections Reading Room.
Please contact us in advance so we can prepare for your visit.
If you cannot visit the Archives in person, please reach out to us. We will do our best to help you find the information you need.
In most cases, the materials in this collection have not been digitized and are not available online.
South Dakota State University Archives and Special Collections supports access to the materials in its collections. However, access to some items may be restricted due to their fragile condition, donor agreements, or other considerations.
If you would like to know more about the contents of the collection, please contact the SDSU Archives at:
Information request form: Ask Us!
Telephone: 605-688-5094
Email: arcrefs@sdstate.edu
Conditions governing reproduction
Reproduction of materials from the collection is subject to the following conditions:
- Permission: Written permission must be obtained from the SDSU Archives for any reproduction, publication, or quotation of materials.
- Copyright: Users are responsible for complying with copyright laws and securing any necessary permissions from copyright holders.
- Fragile Materials: Some items may not be reproduced due to their fragile condition.
- Charges: Reproduction charges may apply, and users will be informed of any costs in advance.
- Acknowledgment: Any reproduced material must include proper acknowledgment of the South Dakota State University Archives and Special Collections as the source.
For more information or to request permission, please contact the SDSU Archives.
Language of material
- English
Script of material
Language and script notes
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Notes area
Alternative identifier(s)
ID
Access points
Subject access points
Place access points
Name access points
- Gray's Watercolors (Subject)
- Gray, Flannery (Subject)
- Gray, Allan (Subject)
- South Dakota State University. Old North (Subject)
- South Dakota State University. Old Central (Subject)
- South Dakota State University. Lincoln Hall (Subject)
- South Dakota State University. Coolidge Sylvan Theatre (Subject)