Archives Intern Shauna Fitzgerald shares some thoughts on her experience in the WFF Archives in the Fall of 2024.

"I have been digitizing press clippings that document the artistic legacies of Betty Woodman and George Woodman.

This work highlights the value of press materials in contextualizing art within shifting cultural and historical frameworks. The Woodmans’ preservation of their own press coverage also reflects their awareness of the importance of context in archival practice.

A recurring theme I’ve observed across decades of articles is both Betty's and George’s resistance to rigid classifications. Betty’s 1977 Rocky Mountain News interview captures this philosophy: "I think of myself as a production potter. I produce pottery, don’t I? All the work I do is related. I can’t say this is art and the other is craft. Each enriches and expands the other."

Similarly, George’s 1981 quote from the same newspaper reflects his nuanced perspective on decorative art: "For better or worse, wallpaper has been a great democratizer of the culture of pattern…” George states. In the same article he expresses his desire to make art that is “public, and quiet, and impressive."

This duality of form and function is evident in a 1981 New York Magazine feature showing the couple in their home with George’s Screen With Balustrade and Betty’s Afternoon Tea and Pastry Tray.

The Woodman Family Foundation archive mirrors the complexity of their work, resisting static descriptions and embracing layered arrangements. Each press clipping and its metadata, including the publication details and the custodial history of the physical item, enriches the record, offering future researchers valuable insights into the many voices that shaped and continue to shape their legacies.

Fun fact: Per Betty’s intentions, her functional teacups, similar to those featured in New York Magazine but distinct from her sculptures, are still in use at the Foundation today, blending art and daily life."