Barbara Mettler Papers, 1931-2002
General International Standard for Archival Description
Hampshire College Archives
Finding aid encoded in NoteTab Pro. Encoded by Susan A. Dayall. 2006-03-13
Encoded Archival Description
Encoded Archival Description (EAD) Version 2002
collection
Barbara Mettler Papers
Creation of Barbara Mettler Papers
Time of Creation of Barbara Mettler Papers
Mettler, Barbara, (1907-2002)
Biographical History for: Barbara Mettler Papers
Biographical Note Barbara Mettler, dancer, dance educator, author, and film and video producer, developed her own style of modern dance which emphasized improvisation. Her core principles were beauty, freedom and democracy. Dance was conceived as a fundamental human activity, of which all people are capable, as opposed to an elite, choreographed, performance art. She taught widely, to diverse lay people, including adults, children, and the handicapped, primarily from her own Mettler Studios. Her students later formed the International Association for Creative Dance to carry the principles of her work forward. Barbara Mettler was born on March 12, 1907 in Chicago, Ill. She attended Smith College, and studied dance with Mary Wigman in Dresden, Germany from 1931-33. Upon returning from Germany, she taught dance in New York City from 1934-40, and moved to Sanbornton, then Meredith, NH where she taught summer workshops in converted barn studios from 1941-1953. From 1943-46 she taught dance at Keuka College in upstate New York. In 1953-54, she toured the east coast with a small dance troupe in a converted bus. In later years she often toured with a small group of advanced students. Mettler taught in the Boston area until 1961, when she moved to Arizona, where she taught at Arizona State College in Flagstaff and the University of Arizona. She established the Tucson Creative Dance Center in 1963, where she taught summer and winter workshops. In 1979, at the request of a student, she taught at the School of Sport Science at the National University in San Jose, Costa Rica, studying Spanish in order to be able to communicate more effectively. She was also invited to teach workshops around the U.S. and in Europe. Throughout her career, Mettler wrote books and articles and produced films and videotapes detailing her methods of dance instruction. Barbara Mettler died in 2002.
Scope and Contents of the Collection The collection documents the activities of Mettler's professional life of over sixty years, including records of Mettler Studios and the Tucson Creative Dance Center. It contains extensive documentation of Mettler's teaching, including records of courses and workshops, published books and articles, and photographs, films and videotapes. It documents the development of Mettler's philosophy of dance in early notebooks and theoretical material. It also traces the historical evolution of her improvisational group performance style through records of group tours and performances. The collection also documents her close relationship with her students as well as her dance outreach efforts.
Modern dance
lcsh
Improvisation in dance
Mettler, Barbara, fl. 1956-
lcnaf
Mettler Studios (Tucson, Ariz.)
Tucson Creative Dance Center
aat
series
SERIES 1. PERSONAL FILES
The series contains files about Barbara Mettler herself, including resumes, newsletters, files of quotations, and health concerns. Most are current to 1993, and include works in progress at the time of her death. The file "Diabetes" goes back to the 1950s, and the "History" file was compiled by Barbara Mettler from earlier files. In alphabetical order.
SERIES 2. TEACHING MATERIAL
Includes several outlines for teaching classes and a large file on musical instruments. In alphabetical order.
SERIES 3. METTLER STUDIOS
Business files for Mettler Studios, including articles of incorporation and other legal documents, a large file on "Dance Suits" made to Mettler's specifications and sold to attendees at her Tucson studio workshops. In alphabetical order.
SERIES 4. FILES ON FILMS, VIDEOS, SOUND RECORDINGS, BOOKS
Files include a copyright file with certificates for published material, files for individual works containing handwritten notes, correspondence, reviews, and narration scripts. Includes a printed outline for the 1978 Summer Course video set. There is also a file on husband Allan Hammer's films. The series is arranged by format, then alphabetically.
SERIES 5. PUBLISHED MATERIAL
Contains books, then articles, each in chronological order, as well as a set of brochures. The book "Dance as an element of life"(1983) is autobiographical, but not identical to the two "Autobiographical sketches" (1980-81) which may be unpublished. The article by Joanna Cashman (1998) is biographical, and the book, "Creative dance for children" (1954) is by one of Mettler's students who took notes as Mettler taught her first group of children. Brochures include mailings, advertisements and registration forms for workshops held at the Tucson Creative Dance Center, 1974-1981.
SERIES 6. CORRESPONDENCE
Several files of student cards and letters followed by folders filed alphabetically. Some individual persons and businesses, most in large files by letters of the alphabet. In addition to correspondence, many files have handwritten teaching notes by Mettler for individual tutorials. Also of note is a file of correspondence with Mary Wigman, Mettler's first dance teacher in Dresden, Germany.
SERIES 7. NEW YORK, 1931-1941
After returning from Germany, Mettler established a school in New York City where she taught from 1934-1941. Files include brochures for the new school, handwritten and typed notes from talks and demonstrations, and a notebook of production material for performances, arranged chronologically.
SERIES 8. NEW HAMPSHIRE, 1941-1953
Mettler and her husband Allan Hammer moved to New Hampshire (Sanbornton, then Meredith) to establish the Mettler Farm Studio from 1941-1953. Files contain notes, clippings and descriptions of the program, files for the summer school by year from 1942-1953, as well as several notebooks of teaching and theoretical material. There are also notes on the audiotape recordings made in the summer of 1953. Files are alphabetical and chronological within sections.
SERIES 9. KEUKA COLLEGE, 1944-1946
Mettler taught dance there from 1944-1946, forming a short-lived Department of Expressive Movement. This department, which took the place of a traditional sports and recreation department, ultimately proved unpopular at this small women's college in upstate New York. The files contain notes, teaching outlines and texts, press releases and reference material from a notebook containing notes and clippings on dance relating to the senses and scientific studies of dance.
SERIES 10. DANCE GROUP, 1938-1953
This dance group spans the New York--New Hampshire years. Originating in the New York studio, the group continued under Mettler's tutelage and exchanged detailed letters and reports. In chronological order.
SERIES 11. DANCE TOUR, 1953-54
After Allan Hammer's death, Barbara Mettler took a small dance group of core students on the road in a converted bus down the U.S. East Coast to Florida. The group gave demonstrations and performances of improvisational dance in colleges and other venues. The files consist of notes, correspondence and transcripts of talks in alphabetical order.
SERIES 12. WORKSHOPS AND TOURS, 1947-1971
These files include records of workshops and short courses in the Boston area and (after 1961) Tucson area, also the East Coast and Midwest. A number of courses were taught through the Physical Education Departments of Arizona State College and Arizona State University. Also included are children's workshops and teacher training. In chronological order.
SERIES 13. SUMMER COURSES, 1973-1995
After establishing the Tucson Creative Dance Center, Mettler offered intensive summer courses almost every year from 1973-1993. The files, in chronological order, contain brochures and student mailings, class lists, correspondence, sometimes class photographs (especially in later years), and extensive handwritten notes on class sessions.
SERIES 14. WINTER COURSES, 1986-1995
Variously titled Winter Workshop, Training Program, Winter Course, these sessions took place between 1986 and 1994, but were not offered every year. These programs were for continuing students, and offered intensive study and practice teaching as well as perfomance. Students successfully completing two six week sessions received a certificate from Mettler Studios. Files contain mailings, class lists, correspondence, reports, and handwritten notes. In chronological order.
SERIES 15. STUDIO WORKSHOPS AND PROGRAMS, 1967-1993
These files document single session and short-duration workshops, talks, demonstrations, and performances at the Tucson Creative Dance Center. Some of the files include a number of programs from a given time period, such as the Free-for-all, an annual event to which Barbara Mettler invited Tucson residents of all ages to participate in creative dance. Files contain publicity, correspondence, notes and sometimes written reports. In chronological order.
SERIES 16. DANCE COMPANY AND TOURS, 1976-1981
Records of the Dance Company based in Tucson include performances in the Tucson area as well as tours further afield. A new company was formed each year and trained intensively, being paid for full-time work. Also includes records of the project "Dance Company in the Schools" (1979-1981), which was grant-funded by Arizona and Tucson arts and educational organizations and provided performances and workshops in Arizona public schools. In chronological order.
SERIES 17. INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOPS, 1979-1992
In 1979, Barbara Mettler was invited to teach at the Escuela de Ciencias del Deporte at the Univesidad Nacional de Costa Rica by a student who had attended her summer intensive workshop in 1977. Mettler studied Spanish in order to be able to teach more effectively. This was the beginning of a long-term relationship with her "beloved Costa Rica". In 1980, she began to make fall tours of Europe, teaching in a variety of venues. The files consist of correspondence, publicity, handwritten notes and transcripts of talks, many in Spanish or German. In chronological order.
SERIES 18. U.S. WORKSHOPS, 1971-1994
This series includes files for workshops and short courses in the U.S. outside the Tucson area. They took place in many venues including colleges, universities, institutes and conferences. They include work with the handicapped/disabled (physically or mentally) and on Indian reservations. Files include correspondence, publicity, notes and reports. In chronological order.
SERIES 19. SCRAPBOOKS, 1933-1991
These notebooks contain press clippings, studio mailings and flyers, and other memorabilia. There are also scrapbooks of appreciation from students in particular courses, including one from Costa Rica. One from the 1930s is oversize (and separately boxed) and the pages are very brittle.
SERIES 20. PHOTOGRAPHS, 1931-1990
This series contains photographs, mainly prints, though some negatives and contact prints are present. The file includes both snapshots and professional photography, with the photographer usually identified on the file or the back of the photo. There is an extensive collection of snapshots from the years in New Hampshire. Most of the professional photography is of the dance group or Barbara Mettler herself. There are a number of files of photographs selected for the published books. In approximate chronological order.
SERIES 21. FILMS, VIDEOS, AUDIOTAPES
This series contains audiovisual material in various formats produced by Mettler Studios. Barbara Mettler was an early advocate for the use of film and later video in dance instruction. The 16 mm films in the collection are in excellent condition. Most were produced as teaching films and distributed by Mettler Studios. The first major set of videotapes is the 1978 Summer Course, documenting each class period of the basic and advanced summer courses taught at the Tucson Creative Dance Center. This set was received on 3/4" videocassettes, and was copied to DVD in the summer of 2003. A second major set is from the summer of 1986. These unedited VHS tapes are from a failed project with a videographer to make a marketable video, and the set is incomplete. Of the other videotapes in the collection, some document performances or are edited teaching videos, while others are video copies of some of the films produced by Mettler Studios. Audio tapes were received in two forms, as open reel and as cassette tapes. Open reel audio tapes were copied from the original format in various speeds to audio cassette tapes in 2004. The quality of these recordings is rather poor, with a good deal of ambient noise. Each listing is transcribed directly from the information on the original box. One major set is the Tour Story tapes (#1-#8) which concern the 1955 Dance Group tour down the East Coast and back through the Midwest. There is also a set of tapes from the New Hampshire summer school in 1953 (#22-#34). Many of the other tapes demonstrate handmade musical instruments and vocalizations, or are tapes of workshops or discussions. All date from the New Hampshire period. The tapes received as cassettes include an incomplete autobiographical interview, and other discussions as well as music. Transcripts of some of the tapes are filed in a folder in the same box.
SERIES 22. ARTWORKS
This series contains artworks collected by Barbara Mettler. She was a friend of Fairfield Porter, and there are three signed works by him, as well as some unsigned landscapes. Other works picture Barbara Mettler herself. Also included are a set of photographs of Mettler dancers by photographer Bill Sears, enlarged and mounted on hardboard.
Barbara's Dances
Barbara Mettler - resume
Black scarf, worn by Barbara Mettler in her hair.
Dance for anyone anywhere (article and notes)
Diabetes
Environmental Concerns
Future (correspondence and projects), 1993
Future writing - Research, theory
Governor's Arts Award, 1993
Health care
History 1930-1968
Indians
Mettler newsletters
Miscellaneous
New articles (to be written)
Performance
Personal
Quotations
Spiritual References
3 Year Study Program, 1989
Tribute from students
Tucson
Certificate
Creative dance: twenty half hour lessons for high school students. 1973
Creative movement and dance: material for teachers of children. 1981
Dance Company - teaching material
Musical Instruments
Study material for studio dance work
Teaching Outlines
Teaching Material
Arizona Arts Organizations
Arizona State University
Board of Directors Meetings Mettler Studios, Inc.
Bulletin Board Material
Children's Classes
Class Inquiries
Dance magazine ads
Dance Organizations
Dance Suits
Donations (to studio)
Film Showings
Grant Applications
Fundraising I
Fundraising II
Harvard Univ. Theatre Collection
Housing - U of Arizona, 1970-1980
Insurance
Legal Documents - Mettler Studios
Legal Status
Masters - Mettler articles and outlines
Masters - Mettler history
New Article Collection
New York Public Library Dance Collection
Outreach
Press Clippings
Press Releases
Printing
Release Contracts
Student Work (studio history)
Studio Signs
Summer School Manager's Instructions and Reports
Summer School Student Lists, 1975-1989
Taliesin West
Tucson Arts Organizations
Tucson Creative Dance Center Architects Specifications, 1962
Tucson Creative Dance Center Photograph and brochure
Copyright
Videotapes - General
Video: Baby Dance, 1988
Videotape Summer Course, 1978 Outlines
Videotapes, 1978 Notes
Video: The Language of Movement, 1984
Film Business
Future Films
Allan Hammer Films
1977 Company Film
Film: Gene Einfrank/Paul Rubin
Film: Group Dance Improvisation
Film: A New Direction in Dance
Sound Recordings: Student Made Instruments
Bibliographies
Book: Children's Book
Book: This is the Child
Book: Dance as an Element of Life
Books - Request for
BOOKS
Eastman, Marcia. Creative dance for children: Barbara Mettler teaching a series of introductory classes at Meadowbrook Camp. Tucson, AZ: Mettler Studios, 1954
Mettler, Barbara and June Warner. Basic dance on a college level: workshop given at Goddard College. Tucson, AZ: Mettler Studios, 1956.
Mettler, Barbara. This is creative dance! : a picture book. Tucson, AZ: Mettler Studios, 1962.
Mettler, Barbara. Ten articles on dance by Barbara Mettler.Tucson, AZ: Mettler Studios, [1966?]
Mettler, Barbara. Children's creative dance book. Tucson, AZ: Mettler Studios, 1970.
Mettler, Barbara. Basic movement exercises. Tucson, AZ: Mettler Studios, 1973.
Mettler, Barbara. Group dance improvisations. Tucson, AZ: Mettler Studios, 1975.
Mettler, Barbara. Creative dance in kindergarten. Tucson, AZ: Mettler Studios, 1976.
Mettler, Barbara. Materials of dance as a creative art activity. Tucson, AZ: Mettler Studios, 1960, 1979.
Mettler, Barbara. The nature of dance as a creative art activity. Tucson, AZ: Mettler Studios, 1980.
Mettler, Barbara. Tanz als lebenselement. Zurich: Verlag Musikhaus Pan AG, 1983.
Mettler, Barbara. Dance as an element of life. Tucson, AZ: Mettler Studios, 1983. (translation of previous title)
Mettler, Barbara. Kreativer tanz mit kindern. Zurich: Verlag Musikhaus Pan AG, 1984. (translation of Children's creative dance book)
ARTICLES
[Mettler?], Barbara. Revolutionary dancing. Eteenpain. v. 14(59), Mar. 13, 1934.
Mettler, Barbara. The relation of dance to the visual arts. Journal of aesthetics and art criticism. 5(4), March 1947.
Mettler, Barbara. Arena or proscenium arch? Dance Production, 1956.
Mettler, Barbara. Modern dance or show business? Dance Observer. May 1952.
Mettler, Barbara. Improvisation: the most creative approach to dace. Dance Magazine. July 1966.
Mettler, Barbara. The art of body movement. 1946, revised 1973.
Mettler, Barbara. Creative dance - art or therapy? 1973, copyright 1976.
Mettler, Barbara. Group movement expression. CORD Dance Research Monograph One, 1971-72, c1973.
Mettler, Barbara. Dancer in a democracy. 1980.
Mettler, Barbara. Autobiographical sketch 1: a dancer's history. 1980.
Mettler, Barbara. Autobiographical sketch 2: artist or educator? 1981.
Mettler, Barbara. The language of movement. Written for the Conference on Research in Dance, Mexico City, Dec. 5-8, 1985, copyright 1988.
Mettler, Barbara. What is dance? Presented at the Master Teacher Preparation Institute, New York University, June 1987. Copyright 1988.
The work of Barbara Mettler: teaching materials for creative dance (brochure). 1993.
Cashman, Joanna. The legacy of Barbara Mettler: the making of a kinesthetic community. Contact Quarterly 23(2):53-57. Summer/Fall 1998.
BROCHURES
Brochures, 1974-1976
Brochures, 1977-1979
Brochures, 1980-1981
Student cards and letters 1970-1979
Student cards and letters 1980-1989
Student cards and letters 1990-1999
Student cards and letters 2000-2002
Student cards and letters undated
Student Recommendations
Arizona Daily Star
Barneetz, Don + Dottie
Bishop, Martina
Bradley, Robert F.
Brehm, Mary Ann
Busch, Catherine A.
Canner, Norma
Carbo, Michael
Cardasis, Peter
Carbo, Will
Chadwick, Cindy
Conejo, Clemencia
Costa Rica
Cross-Cultural Dance Resources, Inc.
Einfrank, Gene
Ellis, Barbara
El Salvador
Ellis, Franklin
Erickson, Joan
Fitzgerald, Rachel
Forrell, Gene and Mildred (Gaby)
Hanna, Judith Lynne
I, J
Isbell Printing Co.
Johnston, Charles
Keller, Walter
Knusel, Zusi Pfenninger
Kurath, Gertrude
Lob, Nancy
Magnus, Brad
Mahler, Madeleine
Marszal, Margaret
Meder, Daniel
Miller, Cora A.
Miller, Roslyn
N, O
P, Q
Phifer, Paula Peterson
Robotham, Jean
Rowe, Patricia
Russia (U.S.S.R.)
Sorell, Walter
Strano, Marietta
Troise, Anne
Tuel, Yoko
U, V
Victor, Doug
Welkie, Robert
Wells, Garde
Whittier, Jim
Wigman, Mary
X,Y,Z
Yungblut, John
Zaner-Pearlman
Barbara Mettler School of the Dance, New York Brochures ca. 1935
Dance Themes - New York
Demonstration Talks - NY
Door Sign, 1934-1940 139 W. 56th St. New York City
Exercises - NY
Music Scores, 1931-1940
Production material 1935-1939 New York City
References - NY
Theory - New York
Articles - Correspondence
Articles for publication
Charts, 1942-1950
Dance and Music notations
Dance Themes
Demonstration Material
Miscellaneous, NH
New Hampshire Farm Studio, 1941-44, Clippings and Notes
New Hampshire School - Description and Brochure
Outside teaching engagements, 1943
Summer School, 1942
Summer School, 1943
Summer School, 1944
Summer School, 1946
Professional activities, 1947
Summer School, 1948
Summer School, 1949
Summer School, 1950
Summer School, 1951
Summer School, 1952
Summer School, 1953
Summer 1953 - Tape recordings, discussions, Notes
Teaching Materials, 1941-44 New Hampshire, Book II
Teaching Materials, 1941-44 New Hampshire, Book I
Teaching Materials, 1941-44 New Hampshire, Book III
Theoretical material, 1942-1950 Diagrams
Theoretical Notes, 1951-53
WGBH - TV Boston. Proposal for daily television program, 1957
Work of Our School, 1943-1949
Notes, 1941-1947
Keuka College - Dance Demonstrations
Keuka College - Department of Expressive Movement
Keuka College - Press Releases 1944-1946
Keuka College - Talks, Reports, Teaching Materials
Quotations, Old
Reference Material: Tech., Content
Reference Material: Form, Force
Reference Material: Time, Space, Action
Reference Material: Sound
Reference Material: Sight
Reference Material: Dance, Research
Student work, 1938-1953 New York and New Hampshire
Summer Dance Group, July 1940 - New Hope, PA
Barbara Mettler - Personal. Sanbornton, NH, 1940-41
Dance Group Diaries, Oct. 30, 1940 - Apr. 5, 1941
Dance Group Correspondence and Reports, Summer 1941
Dance Group Correspondence Winter 1940-41 (NH-NY)
Dance Group Correspondence and Reports 1942-43
Correspondence, 1953-54 Tour (1 of 2)
Correspondence, 1953-54 Tour (2 of 2)
1953 Dance Group and Tour
Dance Tour, 1953-54 Notes
Dance Tour, 1953-54 Publicity
Application for Guggenheim Fellowship, 1946-1947
Outline Presented to the Guggenheim Foundation 1947, Book I
Outline Presented to the Guggenheim Foundation 1947, Book II
Material submitted to Guggenheim Foundation, 1947
Demonstrations/Talks 1949-1953
Film Showings, 1951-1964
Teacher Training 1950-1951
Teacher Training Class notes 1951-52
Teacher Training Notes by Marcia Eastman, 1951-1953
Workshops and Demonstrations, 1954-1959 East Coast
Mid-West Tour, Nov. 1958
Arizona State College, Flagstaff, Summer 1961
Sedona Art Center - Summer 1961
Workshops - Arizona Winter 1960-1961
Tucson Community School 1961-62
Children's Classes - Tucson 1961-62
Tucson Community School Adult Classes, 1962
Workshop Center for the Arts, Tucson, Oct. 2 - Dec. 4, 1962
Sedona Art Center, 1962
Arizona Workshops, Classes, Talks, 1962-1966
Arizona State University Spring, 1965
Indiana State University, June 1966
San Diego State College, June 27 - July 1, 1966
AAHPER Phoenix, Feb. 1966
Mid-West Tour, Fall 1966
Children's Demonstrations, 1966-1968
Pre-school and teacher training, 1966-1971
Summer Course 1973
Summer Course 1974
Summer Course 1975
Summer Course 1976
Summer Course 1977
Summer Course 1978
Summer Course 1979
Summer Course 1980
Summer Course 1981
Summer Course 1982
Summer Course 1983
Summer Dance Company 1983
Summer Course 1984
International Summer School 1984
International Summer School 1984 - Performances
International Summer School 1984 - Costa Rica, visa denials
International Summer School 1984 - El Salvador
Summer Course 1985
Summer Dance Company 1986
Summer Course 1987
Summer Course 1988
Summer Course 1989
Summer Course 1990
Summer Course 1991
Schedule and To Do Lists 1993
Summer Course 1995
Winter Workshop 1986
Winter Workshop 1988
Training Program, Winter 1989
Fundraising for 1989 Winter Training Program
Training Program, Winter 1990
Winter Course 1991
Winter Course 1992
Winter Course 1993
Winter Course 1994
Winter Course 1995
Private lessons
Studio Programs, 1967-69
Workshops, Demonstrations, Talks 1967-1975
Martin Luther King Benefit, January 1969
Special Education Teachers, Jan. 27 - May 5, 1969
Psychiatric Group, Apr. 21 - May 26 1969
Program Reports, 1970-1971
Lorna King lecture, Oct. 15, 1971
Amphitheater Public Schools Teachers, Feb 12, 1974
Studio groups, 1974
Workshops, 1979-1980
Rhythmizomena, May - June 1980
Tucson Hebrew Academy, Mar. 26, 1981
Studio Group, 1983
American Dance Guild, June 1985
Jean Robotham, Jan 13-17, 1986
Workshop, Apr. 1986
Arizona Illustrated--KUAT, May 1986
Walter Sorell lecture, Mar. 20, 1988
Studio Group, Feb 18 - June 30, 1988
Tucson Jewish Community Center, Sept. 1988
Pathways, Sept. 30, 1988
Cora's Church Performance, Apr. 16, 1989
Open House, Nov. 1989
Amity, Dec. 12, 1990 and Oct 22-Nov. 2, 1990
Karate group, Mar 3, 1991
Smith College Club of Tucson, Mar. 19, 1991
Billie Erlings' Group, Apr. 10, 1991
Studio Program, Apr. 19 - 21, 1991
Children's Workshops, Apr. 1 and May 6, 1992--Roz' second grade class
Leslie Wright's group, Fall 1993
Free-for-all, 1971 - 78
Free-for-all, 1981 - 93
Tucson Programs - Dance Company, 1976-1979
Dance Company, 1976-77
Dance Company, 1977-1978
New England Company Dance Tour, 1979
New England Tour Correspondence, 1979
Dance Company, 1980-81
Washington DC - Tour Planning 1980-81
California Company Tour 1980 - Planning (tour did not happen)
Boston, 1980
Boston, 1981
DANCE COMPANY IN THE SCHOOLS
Dance Company in the Schools, 1979-1981
Grant: AZ Commission on the Arts, 1980-81
Grant: Tucson Commission on the Arts and Culture, 1980-81
Tucson Unified School District
Costa Rica, 1979
Spanish language - trans. of dance terms
Costa Rica, 1980-1986
Health concerns, Costa Rica 1982
International Seminar Costa Rica, 1982
Television programs, Costa Rica 1982
Workshop for teachers, Costa Rica 1982
Costa Rica, 1987-1992
La improvisacion de baile en grupo (trans. by Yvette Citizen) Group Dance Improvisation, 1988
Mexico City Conference, 1985
Europe, Fall 1980
Europe, Fall 1982
Europe, Fall 1983
Trips not taken, 1980-83: Israel, New Zealand, Curacao
Southern Arizona Mental Health Center, Fall 1971
Ontario Gymnastic Federation, 1977
La Placita Noontime Dance Project, 1979 May
Arcosanti, June 1979
Boston Area, Spring 1980
Boston Area, May 1981
Navajo Schools, April 1981
Rough Rock (Navajo) School, April 1983
Centre for Creative Thought Talk, 1984
Speakers Board, Univ. of Arizona, Apr. 17, 1984
CORD Conference, Seattle Oct. 17-20, 1986
Adage Project, NYU June 1987
Accessible Arts, Kansas Nov. 13-14, 1987
Kansas State School for the Visually Handicapped, Oct. 10-19, 1988
Manhattan, Kansas. Wichita, Kansas Oct. 20-22 1988
Tucson Unified School District, Jan. 12, 1989
Accessible Arts - Kansas Forum, Mar. 9, 1990
Amity Workshop, Mar. 18, 1990
Wichita State University, June 1990
J.F. Kennedy University, Orinda, CA Sept. 21-23, 1990
Festival in the Sun, Feb. 17, 1991
Pima College Workshop, Oct. 2, 1992
Jung Center, Houston, 1992
Flagstaff workshop, 9/18/93
Lynne McNett (planned for Seattle, 1993)
Boston Area, 1994 (including Hampshire College)
Texas Group, June 1994
Performances, 1933-1940 [oversize scrapbook in separate box, #10A]
Barbara Mettler Dance Group, 1950-51
Barbara Mettler Studio (scrapbook), 1951-53
Barbara Mettler Dance Group (scrapbook), 1953-60
Barbara Mettler (scrapbook), 1961-1965
Appreciation Notebook from Students, Summer 1973
Tucson Creative Dance Center (scrapbook), 1974-1976
Publicity Scrapbook, 1977-1978
Scrapbook: Curso de Danza Creativa (Costa Rica), Sept. 1979
Studio Scrapbook, 1979-1981
Studio Scrapbook, 1982-1986
Scrapbook, Classes in Zurich, 1985
Scrapbook, 1987-1991
Selected for videodisc
Selected for Book-2 (not for videodisc)
Basic Movements - selected for Book 2
"Dance for Two" Duet, Cora and June - negatives and proofs
Design - Body Movement
Drama - Selected for Book 2
Drum Quartet, Space Trio, Force Dance, Elbow Dance, Arm Dance - negatives + contacts
Force
Free movement expression - individual - selected for Book 2
Free movement expression - duets, trios - selected for Book 2
Sound + Music (selected for Book 2)
Miscellaneous unselected
June Book photos
Photos mounted for display
Betsey, Frani - negatives and contacts
Book 2 - Negatives and Proofs Allan Hammer
Barbara Mettler - Dresden, 1931-1933
Allan Hammer and Barbara Mettler ca. 1940?
Keuka College, 1944
Barbara - New York - Allan Hammer
Barbara Mettler Studio, 139 W. 56th St. 2nd floor, New York ca. 1939-40
First Summer Course 1939 (outdoors) - New Hope, PA
New Hampshire Farm Snapshots, (1), many with annotations
New Hampshire Farm Snapshots (2)
Hiking in the White Mtns, N.H.
First Winter in Sanbornton ca. 1940
New Hampshire Studio
Barbara Mettler portraits by Allan Hammer, ca. 1950 New Hampshire
Barbara - New Hampshire ca. 1950 - Allan Hammer Negatives and contacts
New Hampshire - Misc. Allan Hammer
Prints made by Renzi from Allan Hammer negatives
Boston ca. 1950 photographer Henry Renzi
Renzi - Boston - Negatives + contacts
Gallaudet College, Fall 1953
Tour Bus
Film Making - Jacksonville Beach, FL
Student-made instruments NH-Boston ca. 1952
Barbara Mettler portrait 1953 - Gerda Peterich
Photo Collection - 6 prints by Gerda Peterich - for sale in 1955
Dance portraits by photographer Gerda Peterich
Dance Class, Boston 1959 photographer Henry Renzi
Barbara Mettler portrait by Hazel Archer, 1963
Flowing Wells Art Class Oct. 1963. photographer, Bill Sears
Children - Dec. 1963
Yankee magazine - New Hampshire, ca. 1969?
Yankee magazine - contacts and negatives
Evening Group 1971
Nancy Davis, 1971-72
Nancy Davis, categorized by theme
Nancy Davis - Contact Prints (photographer Bill Sears)
Free-for-All, Apr. 30, 1972
Summer 1974 - photographer Bill Sears
Dance Company, 1976-77 photographer Gene Einfrank
Dance Company 1978 - photographer Gene Einfrank
Dance Company 1979 - Photographer Gene Einfrank
Dance Company 1979 - N.E. Tour, March - April 1979 photographer Gene Einfrank
Dance Company 1979 - 1980
Dance Company 1980 - photographer Helmuth Grunowski
Summer School 1982 - photographer Linda Rosenfield
Dance Performance, Apr. 16, 1989 Universalist Unitarian Church (head, Cora Miller)
Students in Tucson
Barbara Mettler portrait, Tucson - ca. 1990?
Pearlman Family, 1950s
New Hampshire people, 1967-1980
Lob Family, 1969
Edward Porter's photographs ca. 1979
Rhodes Family, ca. 1983
1 box of negatives of photos for Book 3, Cliff Abbott, Exercise Book
FILMS
Drum Dance. Tucson, AZ: Mettler Studios, 1957. 1 film reel (? min.): sd?, ?; 16mm.
Free Movement Expression. Tucson, AZ: Mettler Studios, 1957. 1 film reel (12 min.): sd., col.; 16mm.
Mother and Daughter. Tucson, AZ: Mettler Studios, 1945?. 1 film reel (? min.): sd?, ?; 16mm.
Mrs. Mettler's New Hampshire. Tucson, AZ: Mettler Studios, 19??. 3 film reels (? min.): sd?, ?; 16mm.
Creative Dance for Children. Tucson, AZ: Mettler Studios, 1977. 4 film reels (63 min. total): sd., b&w; 16mm.
Movement Improvisation. Tucson, AZ: Mettler Studios, 1957. 1 film reel (19 min.): sd., col.; 16mm.
Sound and Movement. Directed by Barbara Mettler. Tucson, AZ: Mettler Studios, 1957. 1 film reel (17 min.): sd., col.; 16mm.
Unboxed, oversize film reels, in individual protective cases:
The Art of Body Movement. Tucson, AZ: Mettler Studios, 1970. 2 film reels (68 min.): sd., b&w; 16mm.
Group Dance Improvisation. Tucson, AZ: Mettler Studios, 1978. 1 film reel (34 min.): sd., col.; 16 mm.
A New Direction in Dance. Tucson, AZ: Mettler Studios, 1978. 2 film reels (58 min.): sd., col.; 16 mm.
VIDEOTAPES
Outline of videotape Summer Courses, 1978 (spiral-bound booklet)
1978 Summer Course, tapes 1-15 (#11 damaged), 3/4" videocassette
1978 Summer Course, tapes 16-30, 3/4" videocassette
1978 Summer Course, tapes 31-45, 3/4" videocassette
1978 Summer Course, tapes 46-60, 3/4" videocassette
1978 Summer Course, tapes 61-69, 3/4" videocassette
Desert Dances, Aug. 10, 1983. 3/4" videocassette + DVD copy
International Group, Tucson Creative Dance Center, Summer 1984, KUAT Arizona Illustrated. 3/4" videocassette + DVD copy
Pure Dance, original recording. 3/4" videocassette + DVD copy + VHS copy. 58 min.
The Language of Movement, VHS cassette, 24 min.
Three Excerpts from a Group Dance Improvisation, 1980. VHS cassette, 31 min.
An Improvised Group Dance, 1980. VHS cassette, 51 min.
Movimiento Creativo en Costa Rica, 1987. VHS cassette, 31 min.
Baby Dance, 1988. VHS cassette, 12 min.
1978 Summer Course. DVD copies of tapes 1-69 (#11 was unable to be transferred due to damaged tape). Transfered to DVD 2003
1986 Summer Project, 46 VHS cassettes, numbered 1-50 with gaps.
Excerpts from Free Group Dance Improvisations, 1978. 3/4" videocassette + DVD copy
Space patterns of movement with Intro by B. Mettler, 1978. 3/4" videocassette + DVD copy
Time patterns of movement with Intro by B. Mettler, 1978. 3/4" videocassette + DVD copy
Force patterns of movement with Intro by B. Mettler, 1978. 3/4" videocassette + DVD copy
Hollinger Elementary School Demonstration, Feb. 6, 1979 - Barbara Mettler Dance Company. 3/4" videocassette + DVD copy
Selections from Dance Company Program, Sound of Movement. Apr. 25, 1980. 3/4" videocassette + DVD copy
Talk by Diane Ealy and discussion with Dance Company, Apr. 25, 1980. 3/4" videocassette + DVD copy
Barbara Mettler Dance Co. 1979 - 30 sec. La Placita PSA. 3/4" videocassette + DVD copy
AB Roll Master for Language of Movement. 1" open reel videotape.
The Language of Movement. 1" open reel video (protection copy). Einfrank, 1989.
Baby Dance, edited master. 1" open reel video.
AUDIOCASSETTE TAPES
1. Larita Institute [interview], 1963
2. IV [autobiographical interview] NH, Allen, Germany. Undated.
3. Dance Feature: Barbara Mettler, 11/89, Sharon Aoki
4. Pure Dance: a Demonstration (soundtrack), Spring 1979
5. Barbara Mettler: Biographical relation to Isadora Duncan
6. Practice for Lecture/Demonstration, Apr. 17, 1979
7. Costa Rica discussion with staff, 9/27/79
8. Music - Barbara. Undated.
9. La Placita, Manzo, and Kino programs - Barbara Mettler Dance Co., 1979.
10. La Placita, Manzo, Kino program discussion, Jan. 19, 1979.
11. Interview I. Undated.
12. Interview II. Undated.
13. June teaching. Undated.
Folder of transcripts of audiotapes
OPEN REEL AUDIOTAPES, PLUS AUDIOCASSETTE COPIES OF EACH
1. Tour Story, No. 1, Bus Tour, With BM & JJ Speaking
2. Tour Story, No. 2, Bus Tour, With BM & JJ Speaking
3. Tour Story, No. 3, Bus Tour, With BM & JJ Speaking
4. Tour Story 1 & 2, Recorded by Barbara Mettler, Boston May 24-25, 1955. 1. Preparations @ Rock Ridge; 2. Preparations (continued)
5. Tour Story 3 & 4, Final Preparations & Start Goddard College, Green Mountain Jr. College, Middlebury College. Back at Rock Ridge. On the Road to Philadelphia
6. Tour Story 5 & 6, On the Road: Philadelphia, Washington, DC, Chapel Hill
7. Tour Story 7 & 8. On the Road (continued), Rockhill, SC, Christmas vacation. Jacksonville Beach: The Film
8. Tour Story 9 & 10. 9. On the way home. S. Illinois University, Easter vacation, Michigan State College, Toledo, Morgan State College, Baltimore, back in N.H.
9. Goddard College Workshop, Lesson 1, 10/26/52. "Theme: Expressive Use of Body Parts"
10. Goddard College Workshop, Lesson 2, A & B, "Theme: Tension Relaxation Activity/Passivity"
11. Goddard College Workshop, Lesson 3, A & B, "Theme: Movement and Sound"
12. Goddard College Workshop, Lesson 4, 10/29/53. "Theme: Movement and Design; Sub-themes: Qualities of Movement Continuity"
13. Goddard College Workshop, Lesson 5, 10/30/53. "Theme: Creative Group Expression; Sub-theme: Movement Ideas"
14. Howard University Workshop, 12/4/53, (side 1 only)
15. University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, 12/11/53, (sides 1 & 2)
16. University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, 12/12/53. Lesson I (22 min.)/Lesson II, (sides 1 & 2)
17. University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, 12/12/53. Lesson II (15 min.)/Lesson III, (sides 1 & 2)
18. University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, 12/53. Workshop Lesson III
19. Southern Illinois University, 4/8/54, (sides 1 & 2)
20. Southern Illinois University, 4/8/54, (sides 1 & 2)
21. Summer 1951. Reel *. Student orchestras. Two student orchestras. 1. w/ pipe, 2. w/ harp. Rock Ridge Farm, Meredith, New Hampshire, Barbara Mettler Studio
22. June 18, 1953, 2pm. Class & pulse: Breath: Voice. Reel No. 2, A. both sides recorded, B. concluded on second reel: 3a
23. June 18, 1953, afternoon. Class - Sound * Reel No. 3, A. Conclusion Pulse: Breath: Voice. Larger group, Dance plus discussion, B. Abstract Qualities of Movement and Sound Part 2: June 20, 1953 (concluded)
24. June 19, 1953, 9am. Tension Relaxation Activity Passivity. Reel 4 A&B, (discussion on Reel 5)
25. June 19, 1953, am. Discussion of Tension/Relaxation: Activity/Passivity. Reel No. 5, A,B, both sides complete
26. June 19, 1953. Reel No. 6. Class: Sound *. A. Free vocal sound (yawn, sigh, etc.), afternoon concluded on opposite side: shout section. B. Abstract qualities of movement and sound: Part 1: concluded on Reel 3B
27. June 24, 1953. Reel No. 7 A, B. (complete on both sides), Sound and Movement: Problems of Accompaniment, 2:00 p.m. Rock Ridge Farm, Good demonstration of class work, class conducted by BM, instrumental sound
28. June 25, 1953, 8pm. Discussion: Summer school 1953, Reel 8 A&B (concludes on Reel 9A)
29. June 25, 1953, 8pm. Discussion: Summer School 1953, Reel 9 A, concludes on side A
30. June 26, 1953, 2pm. Rock Ridge, Reel 10 A&B (continued and concluded 10A. Class led by BM/Side 1 Speech sounds, own language, Side 2 Speech own language, poem, story. Valuable good demo of class work
31. June 26, 1953. 4pm. Words & vocal sounds, Reel 11 A&B, concluded on 11B., Rock Ridge, "very valuable"
32. June 1953. Discussion at Farm, Theoretical Discussion
33. July 14, 1953. Reel No. * Led by Cora, Cora's Sound group improvisation. Free warmup (facial), Spanish, own words, both sides, "side 2: valuable, side 1: no use"
34. July 14, 1953. Reel No. ** Group: Free vocal sounds, equal emphasis on sound and movement. Side 1: recorded, side 2: clear, "very valuable group improvisation" led by Cora
35. 1956. BM - Recorded Lesson (inc)
36. April 23, 1956, Wed. Recording student made instruments, Extras
37. Home Made Instruments, tape 1, 1/30/59
38. Home Made Instruments, tape 2, 1/30/59
39. Student Made Instruments, Apr. 19 & 23, 1959
40. Norma Canner's Report, June 1960
41. BM's talk to Music Therapist, Hotel Statler, Nov. 14, 1959
1 watercolor landscape, 14" x 20", not framed or matted, signed Fairfield Porter '28, To Bob, Dec. 1928.
1 watercolor landscape, 4' x 6", "Reykjavik, Iceland", matted, signed F. Porter, 1924.
1 b&w crayon sketch, 12" x 16", on black paper backing, "The Possessed, Part III, Chapt. 6, sect. II", signed Fairfield Porter.
1 watercolor landscape, 16" x 18 1/2", not framed or matted, unsigned.
1 watercolor landscape, 13 1/2" x 23" matted, unsigned.
1 watercolor of dancers, 13" x 18", not matted or framed, signed, "To Barbara, love, Harriet Russell-Downs, '88".
1 pen-and-ink sketch, 10" x 11 1/2", matted, "Barbara Mettler, Dancer - Prelude", signed Ethel Parsons Paullin, 1939.
1 pen-and-ink sketch, 10" x 11", not matted or framed, damaged (folded), "Barbara Mettler, Dancer - Rehearsal (Dissenter)", signed Ethel Parsons Paullin, 1939.
1 painting (tempera?) on hardboard, matted, title on cover, "Percussion lesson", signed Ethel Parsons Paullin.
Laminated Photographs: Exhibition Prints. Photographs by Bill Sears. Dance Students, Mettler Studios, Tucson, AZ 1964-1969. Most laminated to hardboard.