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Ruth Ingvarsson Papers

 Collection
Identifier: 1997-06

Collection Scope

The collection consists primarily of Ingvarsson’s notebooks which detail her weaving technique and processes. Of particular interest are the two books she compiled while studying at Handarbetets Vänner (1932-1933) which include graph patterns and sample textiles.

Dates

  • 1932 - 1933

Creator

Access

Access to the collection is unrestricted.

Use

Permission to use collection materials must be requested in writing.

History

Rut “Ruth” Elisabeth Ingvarsson was born October 1, 1897 in Glemminge, Skäne, Sweden where she learned weaving from her mother as most Scandinavian girls did. She graduated from Glemminge Folk Skola in 1918, and then studied and worked with Märta Måås Fjetterström from 1922-1928 at her weaving studio in Båstad, Sweden.

In 1929, Ingvarsson came to Cranbrook to work as a weaver at Studio Loja Saarinen. In 1932, she returned to Sweden with Maja Andersson Wirde to attend a course for weaving instructors at Handarbetets Vänner (The Friends of Handicraft). She returned to work for Studio Loja Saarinen in 1934, and again in 1941. Ingvarsson was a weaving instructor in her private studio in Highland Park (1935-1937) and in Detroit (1937-1951). During the summers of 1946, 1948, and 1951, she returned to Cranbrook where she taught weaving at Kingswood School. From 1949 to 1951, she taught at the Detroit Society of Arts and Crafts and from 1951 to 1969, she was a part-time weaving instructor at Wayne State University.

Ingvarsson continued to produce her own textiles and exhibited at the Detroit Arts Market, the Detroit Institute of Arts, the Michigan Artists Craftsman Shows, and at the Boston Society of Arts and Crafts. She won numerous awards throughout the 1940s and 1950s, including first prize for an altar cloth in the national Exhibition of Contemporary and Religious Art in 1957. Ingvarsson was a member of the Michigan Weavers Guild.

Ruth Ingvarsson became a U.S. citizen in 1956, and died on September 15, 1969 in Highland Park, Michigan.

Extent

1.9 Linear Feet (1 MS, 1 OS)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

In 1929, Ingvarsson came to Cranbrook to work as a weaver at Studio Loja Saarinen. In 1932, she returned to Sweden with Maja Andersson Wirde to attend a course for weaving instructors at Handarbetets Vänner (The Friends of Handicraft). She returned to work for Studio Loja Saarinen in 1934, and again in 1941. Ingvarsson was a weaving instructor in her private studio in Highland Park (1935-1937) and in Detroit (1937-1951). During the summers of 1946, 1948, and 1951, she returned to Cranbrook where she taught weaving at Kingswood School. From 1949 to 1951, she taught at the Detroit Society of Arts and Crafts and from 1951 to 1969, she was a part-time weaving instructor at Wayne State University. The collection consists primarily of Ingvarsson’s notebooks which detail her weaving technique and processes. Of particular interest are the two books she compiled while studying at Handarbetets Vänner (1932-1933) which include graph patterns and sample textiles.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged alphabetically.

Acquisition

Gift of Lee Morrell. Materials were given to Mr. Morrell by Ruth Ingarvarsson.

Processing History

Robbie Terman, December 2011.

Title
Guide to the Ruth Ingvarsson Papers
Status
Completed
Author
Robbie Terman
Date
December 2011
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Edition statement
Resource record created by Laura MacNewman.

Repository Details

Part of the Cranbrook Archives, Cranbrook Center for Collections and Research Repository

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