Michael Changnon Collection

Collection

Identifier: 10-1-C-17

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Michael Changnon Collection consists of various papers, records, and correspondence illustrating Changnon’s career as an artist and Slippery Rock University art professor. The collection also consists of photographs depicting his artwork and some memorable moments during his tenure. Other items include various memorabilia from art exhibits in which Changnon participated, textiles, and a DVD of the Michael Changnon Tribute Exhibit in 2005. Along with the publications can be found a variety of information regarding his exhibits, documented artwork, and more.

Dates

1948 - 2022
Majority of material found within 1989 - 2003

Conditions Governing Use

The items in this collection are protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use these items in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. In addition, no permission is required from the rights-holder(s) for educational uses. For other uses, you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).

See In Copyright-Educational Use Permitted on RightsStatements.org for more information.

The Slippery Rock University Archives assumes no responsibility for copyright infringement by users. Contact the Archives at rockarchives@sru.edu for more information.

Biographical / Historical

Michael Changnon (1943-2002) was a Professor of Art for 34 years at Slippery Rock University. A graduate of Ohio University, Changnon received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in photography in 1965 and his Master of Fine Arts in painting and lithography in 1968. Changnon was a celebrated artist and photographer with national recognition for his colorful pastel drawings. Following graduate school in 1968, Changnon was hired by Martha Gault becoming a founding member of the Slippery Rock State College (SRSC) Art Department faculty where he taught black & white photography, drawing, and occasionally painting. During his tenure at SRSC/SRU, he helped to establish the photography program, developed the conference system, and assisted in the creation of the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. In addition, he was instrumental in the design process of the photography studio and darkroom in SRU’s Art Building. The Michael J. Changnon Memorial Scholarship in Photography, which awards annual scholarships to Art students with majors in Photography, remains a testament to his impact at Slippery Rock University and beyond.

Throughout his career, Changnon was involved in many art organizations as a member including the Carnegie Museum of Art, the Meadville Council of the Arts, as an exhibitor and judge at the Three Rivers Arts Festival, and as a board member of The Associated Artists of Pittsburgh. His art work was represented in Pittsburgh by Carson Street Gallery and Zenith Gallery, as well as the Christopher/John Gallery in Santa Monica, California; Neo Persona Gallery in New York; and ArtForms in Sarasota, Florida. In the late 1990s, Changnon taught in the Pennsylvania Governor’s School of the Arts during the summers at Mercyhurst University in Erie, PA.

Michael Changnon’s artwork is in the permanent collections of the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, the former Westinghouse Corporation, the Westmoreland Museum of American Art, The Pittsburgh Public Schools, Slippery Rock University, and The Senator John Heinz History Center. His drawings, photographs, and pastel drawings are also included in many private collections.

Extent

2.52 Linear Feet (3 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Arrangement

The collection is organized into 5 series.

Series 1: Papers, Records, and Correspondence

Series 2: Photographs

Series 3: Memorabilia, Ephemera and Realia

Series 4: Publications

Series 5: Audiovisual Material