Behind-the-Scenes of the Herbert D. Ryman Art Collection and Archive with Alumna DiAndra Reyes

As a Library and Information Science graduate student and Ryman Arts alumna, DiAndra Reyes was brought onto the Herbert D. Ryman Legacy Project at the end of 2023 to assist in the cataloging, organizing, and modernizing of our Herbert D. Ryman records and physical collection. As a special treat, DiAndra takes us behind-the-scenes and shares what she's currently working on at Ryman Arts.

DiAndra Reyes (right) working at the the fine art storage facility housing the Herbert D. Ryman Art Collection and Archive.

My path from Ryman Arts alumna, class of 2009, to Library and Information Science graduate student is a complex one. After leaving art school and feeling uncertain, I found a passion in art history. Fortunately, my degree led me to the Getty Research Institute as a research assistant, where I was exposed to the diverse roles of Library and Information Science professionals. I met archivists, librarians, metadata specialists, and others in specialized roles, all of whom held masters in Library and Information Science.

Most everyone I met had Ph.Ds. This experience opened my eyes to the scarcity of job opportunities in cultural heritage organizations without an advanced degree. I felt that the Master of Library and Information degree (LIS) was a great fit for me because it allowed me to feed my love of learning in art history and history and perform practical organizational skills, which I had gained a knack for. Now, I am graduated, and opportunities in LIS have led me to work on a screenwriter's collection, aerospace history collection, and currently the Herbert D. Ryman Art Collection and Archive.

As part of Ryman Arts' Spring Creative Career programming, DiAndra Reyes and Diane Brigham hosted a hands-on workshop for students about managing and caring for an art collection with a special look at Herbert Ryman's collection.

The opportunity to work on the Herbert D. Ryman Art Collection and Archive came to me at the end of last year when Ryman Arts reached out. Being a Ryman Arts alumna, I felt a deep connection to the organization and felt excited about the unique chance to contribute to the Herbert Ryman archives and to its preservation and accessibility.

Since January, under the leadership of Diane Brigham, Director of the Herbert Ryman Legacy Project, I have been working on the audit, organization, and cataloging of the art and print collection. We've been working to meticulously track all the artwork and prints spread out between the Ryman Arts office and its fine art storage facility. Additionally, we are working to update over 2,000 records to ensure location, condition, and other critical information are current, consistent, and accurate ahead of migrating everything into a new collection management system.

Left: Concept art for a building facade for Beatrix Potter Land, 1984, Herbert D. Ryman

Right: Concept art for a dragon fountain at Kobe Space Science Park, undated, Herbert D. Ryman

(from the Herbert D. Ryman collection)

One of the most rewarding aspects of working on the Herbert D. Ryman Art Collection and Archive is getting to see the breadth of Herbert Ryman's work. I am particularly drawn to original concept sketches Ryman had done for other theme parks that did not come to fruition, like Beatrix Potter Land and Kobe Space Science Park. Ryman's ability to capture magical experiences and distill the essence of a place into them is really inspiring.

Dog chef sketches, undated, Herbert D. Ryman

There are also these drawings of a dog chef that we keep coming across that have been a delightful surprise. These charming drawings reveal a lesser-known side of Ryman as a character artist, showcasing his versatility. My hope is that we can soon share these enchanting and lesser-known works, further celebrating and gaining inspiration from Ryman's vast artistic legacy.

Herbert D. Ryman Exhibition at Celebration of the Arts event in April 2024

Through this dedicated work, we aim to ensure that the Herbert D. Ryman Art Collection and Archive is well maintained and preserved to ensure that his legacy stays as a source of inspiration and enrichment to arts, scholars, and fans for future generations.