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Albin Polasek Collection, 1897-2004

 

Summary

Creator:
Polasek, Albin, 1879-1965
Abstract:
The Albin Polasek Collection includes materials on the life and work of Czech sculptor and Winter Park resident Albin Polasek. The Collection consists of scrapbooks, correspondence, business records, certificates, speeches, photographs, pamphlets, programs, invitations, newspaper clippings, and related papers.
Extent:
3.75 Linear Feet 9 Boxes
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Albin Polasek Collection, Special Collections and University Archives, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida.

Background

Scope and content:

The Albin Polasek Collection includes materials on the life and work of Czech sculptor and Winter Park resident Albin Polasek. Included in the collection are four photographic scrapbooks made by the artist. The scrapbooks have been dismantled and contents placed in archival boxes. Other materials are divided into series and then arranged in folders by subject. Some folders are arranged chronologically, whereas the correspondence series is arranged alphabetically.

Biographical / historical:

Albin Polasek was born at Frenstat in Moravia, the Czech Republic in 1879. He came to the United States in 1901 making his trade as a wood carver. In 1906 he studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts under the instruction of Charles Grafly and won the Cresson Traveling Scholarship in 1907, 1908, and 1909. Albin was a Fellow at the American Academy in Rome from 1910 to 1913 and, subsequent to his studies in Rome and Greece, he started his own studio in New York City. In 1916 he went to Chicago, where he was head of the Department of Sculpture at the Art Institute until 1943. During this time he created numerous pieces covering a broad range of subjects. In 1949, Mr. Polasek purchased a piece of property on Lake Osceola in Winter Park, Florida and built his retirement home and studio. In 1961 the Albin Polasek Foundation was established and a gallery built to house his works. He continued to create his art until he died at age 86 on May 19, 1965. The Albin Polasek Foundation operates his residence and studio in Winter Park, Florida as the Albin Polasek Museum and Sculpture Gardens.

Acquisition information:
The collection was donated to the University of Central Florida in 1993 (CFM1993_03).
Processing information:

Originally processed by Nadine Helm; finding aid prepared by Nadine Helm. Additional reprocessing and changes, specifically correspondence series, by Natasha White, supervised by Laila Miletic-Vejzovic.

The collection was organized and refoldered into archival folders. Albums were taken apart for preservation and materials were foldered in the album order.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

The entire collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

Unpublished records are protected by copyright. Permission to publish quote or reproduce must be secured from the repository and the copyright holder.

Preferred citation:

Albin Polasek Collection, Special Collections and University Archives, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida.

Location of this collection:
John C. Hitt Library
12701 Pegasus Drive, Building 2
Orlando
FL
32816-8030
USA