Uncover the ins and outs of an artist’s archive through this dynamic conversation with Olana archivists and famed biographer Victoria Johnson. During this moderated virtual conversation, explore how writers and scholars navigate archival materials to make their own discoveries and creations. Participants will get a sneak peek into Victoria Johnson’s forthcoming biography on Frederic Church, the first of its kind, set to be released in 2026. This virtual webinar is FREE.
Ida Brier initially volunteered in various capacities at Olana. Then from 1998-2024 she worked in the curatorial and collection departments as The Olana Partnership’s Librarian/Archivist and Research Assistant, collaborating with New York State’s Collections Management staff in accessioning archival material, producing Finding Aids, and working with researchers. Previously, Ida worked as a Budget Analyst for the NYS Department of Social Services, a medical librarian at NYS Library, a Reference Librarian at Bard College, and received her graduate degree in Library and Information Science.
Clare Flemming is the Research Archivist for The Olana Partnership where every day is a new discovery into current scholarship about Frederic Church, his life, his land, and his legacy, as well as the exciting records of the Partnership and its visionary predecessors. Clare has served as archivist in a wide range of collections from Philly to Albany, mostly in natural-history settings, from tiny historic societies to huge government archives and as an adjunct professor in the Archives Management tract at SUNY, University at Albany.
Victoria Johnson is Professor of Urban Policy and Planning at Hunter College, CUNY. She is the author of American Eden, a finalist for the 2018 National Book Award in Nonfiction and the 2019 Pulitzer Prize in History. Her forthcoming biography of Frederic Church, Glorious Country, will be published by Scribner in April 2026.
