In 2012, Thayer was awarded a post-doctoral fellowship by Claremont Graduate University School of Arts and Humanities to produce and compile a documentary series of CGU professors, professors emeritus, and alumni that featured the careers and contributions of Karl Benjamin, Roland Reiss, Michael Brewster, Connie Zehr, Mowry Baden, Ted Kerzie, and John Frame. The series entitled, “In Their Own Words: Oral Histories of CGU Art,” was presented in the campus galleries in an interactive exhibition designed and curated by Thayer.
Art Galleries to feature oral histories of renowned CGU artists (CGU Press Release Aug. 14, 2012)
“In The Their Own Words: Oral Histories of CGU Art” (Jill Thayer, Ph.D. Blog, Dec. 8, 2012)
Art Narratives: Oral Histories in Contemporary Culture (Jill Thayer, Ph.D., Curatorial Archivist)
The narrative transcripts and digital media of the project are included in Archives of American Art at The Smithsonian Institution.
Clockwise from top: “In Their Own Words: Oral Histories of CGU Art,” Installation views, East Gallery and Peggy Phelps Gallery at Claremont Graduate University (2012); mailer for the exhibition; Dr. Jill Thayer and CGU Professor Emeritus, Karl Benjamin, 2011; and John Frame in the studio with Dr. Thayer.