Preservation Services at Dartmouth College: Dartmouth College Library Awarded National Film Preservation Foundation Grant

Monday, July 12, 2010

Dartmouth College Library Awarded National Film Preservation Foundation Grant

The Dartmouth College Library has been awarded a grant of $6,350 from the National Film Preservation Foundation (NFPF) to preserve and make accessible “The Orozco Mural Quetzalcoatl,” a 23-minute, color film written, produced, and directed in 1961 by Robert Canton,’58. The film’s purpose is to tell the myth of Quetzalcoatl as depicted in “The Epic of American Civilization” frescos painted by José Clemente Orozco in Baker Library. Using camera techniques such as pans, close-ups and long shots, and aided by Theodore Newman’s dramatic score and a minimal narration, Canton makes the murals come alive. The score was conducted by former “Tonight Show” conductor Skitch Henderson.

At its release in 1962 the film received three citations for Specific Excellence from the Boston International Film Festival. These citations were: outstanding use of the film medium for educational purposes; realization of inherent potential; and original musical score.

The NFPF grant will support the creation of a new preservation master copy and DVD. When the work is completed the film will be available on the Dartmouth College YouTube channel along with a silent clip of Orozco painting the test panel in Baker Library. A public screening of the newly preserved “Quetzalcoatl” will also hosted by the Library.

Barb Sagraves, head of Preservation Services, will serve as Project Coordinator.

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Contributors

Deborah Howe Is the Collections Conservator at Dartmouth College Library. She's been involved in the book community for over 20 years. She is a member of the Guild of Book Workers and teaches classes in the Book Arts program.

Ryland Ianelli Is a cartoonist and Project Specialist in the Dartmouth Preservation Services department. He graduated from Reed College with a BA in Art History in 2008 and, more recently, from the Center for Cartoon Studies with an MFA in Cartooning in 2010. In addition to his work in Preservation and the Digital Production Unit, he is currently drawing and writing for various independently published comics and anthologies.

Barb Sagraves has been head of Preservation Services since its creation in 1995. She is a graduate of the University of Michigan SLIS program, has an MA in Medieval History from Michigan State University, and a BA in History from the University of Oklahoma. In her role as department head, Barb has overall responsibility for the preservation program and policies at Dartmouth College Library and is in charge of the Book Arts Program.

Jenny Mullins has been the Digital Preservation Librarian for Dartmouth College Library since May of 2014. Prior to coming to Dartmouth, she preserved video and audio collections, helped build a digital repository and worked in book and paper conservation labs. Jenny is a member of ALA and co-chair of the Preservation Metadata Interest Group for 2015-17.