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Chris Stoffel Overvoorde Collection, 1938-2008

Collection Overview

Title: Chris Stoffel Overvoorde Collection, 1938-2008

ID: COLL/188

Creator: Chris Stoffel Overvoorde (1934-2019)

Extent: 17.0 Boxes

Arrangement: Folder level description

Abstract

Professor of art at Calvin College. The collection includes research materials for the booklet Stories of Faith: Fifteen Heroes of Calvin College and the Christian Reformed Church; research materials for resident hall paintings; correspondence; materials from serving on various committees, i.e., Calvin College multicultural, Dutch Immigration Society, American Bicentennial heritage celebration, and Graafschap Christian Reformed Church Heritage Center; photographs; articles; presentations; artwork inventory; design projects; sketches; awards; and materials on exhibitions. [See also the Campus Titles Database.]

Biographical Note

Chris Stoffel Overvoorde was born in Rotterdam, the Netherlands on November 24, 1934. Before becoming the artist and art professor, he is known as today, Overvoorde attended Technical Schools and eventually the Royal Technicum PBNA to pursue a career path as a diesel engineer. In 1957, Overvoorde immigrated to the United States as diesel engineer. However, in 1961 he enrolled in Kendall School of Design to pursue visual design. He went on to the University of Michigan earning his B.S.D. degree in 1964 and his M.F.A. degree in 1966.

A big year came to Overvoorde in 1966; he not only became a U.S. citizen, but also became faculty of the Calvin College Art department. He started out as an instructor of art and eventually made his way to associate professor of art. He also served as director of exhibitions and chair of the Art Department.

Overvoorde is also known for his personal works of art. He has worked as a painter, printmaker, muralist, graphic designer, and stage designer. His work can be found in both public and private collections. His work has been involved in competitions and exhibitions. Four of Overvoorde’s paintings, depicting Dutch contributions to American life and culture, had made its way to Washington D.C. in 1976.  The four paintings were displayed at the Great Hall of Commerce.

On a personal level, Overvoorde is married to Greta Duifhuis. Together they have four children. He has served as a deacon and treasurer for the Christian Reformed Church. He has served his community by being a board member of the Grand Rapids Art Museum and a chairman for the Municipal Art Advisory Commission of Grand Rapids. Overvoorde reach emeritus status and retired in 1997.

Administrative Information

Access Restrictions: ***PARTIAL RESTRICTION (boxes 3-4, 8-9)

Processing Information: Series 7 is composed of materials that were added to the collection in 2019.

Box and Folder Listing

Series 1: Documents for Project: "Stories of Faith"
Box 1
Folder 1: Henry Beets
Folder 2: B. J. Bennink
Folder 3: Geert Boer
Folder 4: Jacob and Christina Bolt
Folder 5: Peter Eldersveld
Folder 6: Garrett Heyns
Folder 7: Lee Huizenga
Folder 8: Wilhemina Kalsbeek
Folder 9: Jacob Noordewier
Box 2
Folder 1: Albertus Rooks
Folder 2: Henry Schultze
Folder 3: Johanna Timmer
Folder 4: Idzerd Van Dellen
Folder 5: Douwe Van der Werp
Folder 6: Johanna Veenstra
Folder 7: Final lay-outs and proofs
Folder 8: Finished copy, Stories of Faith: Fifteen Heroes of Calvin College and the Christian Reformed Church --- 1992
[HERH LD791.C22 S76 1992]
Folder 9: Addresses of descendants of persons that dorms are named after
Folder 10: Negatives of portraits of Christian Reformed leaders
(see also individual photo files of persons)
Series 2: Letters to the Netherlands --- 1957-1986
Box 3
Folder 1: Letters --- 1957-1958
Access Restriction: RESTRICTED
Folder 2: Letters --- 1959-1960
Access Restriction: RESTRICTED
Folder 3: Letters --- 1961-1962
Access Restriction: RESTRICTED
Folder 4: Letters --- 1963-1964
Access Restriction: RESTRICTED
Folder 5: Letters --- 1965-1966
Access Restriction: RESTRICTED
Folder 6: Letters --- 1967-1968
Access Restriction: RESTRICTED
Folder 7: Letters --- 1969-1970
Access Restriction: RESTRICTED
Box 4
Folder 1: Letters --- 1971-1972
Access Restriction: RESTRICTED
Folder 2: Letters --- 1973-1974
Access Restriction: RESTRICTED
Folder 3: Letters --- 1975-1976
Access Restriction: RESTRICTED
Folder 4: Letters --- 1977-1978
Access Restriction: RESTRICTED
Folder 5: Letters --- 1979-1980
Access Restriction: RESTRICTED
Folder 6: Letters --- 1981-1982
Access Restriction: RESTRICTED
Folder 7: Letters --- 1983-1984
Access Restriction: RESTRICTED
Folder 8: Letters --- 1985-1986
Access Restriction: RESTRICTED
Series 3: National Christian Multicultural Student Leaders Conference --- 2000-2001
Box 5
Folder 1: Fifteenth Annual Christian Multicultural Student Leaders (NCMSL) Conference - Thy Kingdom Come. NCMSL Conference: Registration, 1 --- 2001
Folder 2: Conference Program: Food Service, 2
Folder 3: Conference Program: Workshops, 3
Folder 4: Conference Program: Evaluation, 4
Folder 5: Conference Program: Finance, 5
Folder 6: Minutes and Final Report --- 2001
Folder 7: Media --- 2001
Folder 8: Host Site Planning Manual --- 2000
Series 4: Calvin College Multicultural Year --- 1996-1997
Box 6
Folder 1: Articles --- 1996
Folder 2: Ideas --- 1995-1997
Folder 3: Budget
Folder 4: Promotion --- 1996-1997
Folder 5: Correspondence --- 1996-1997
Folder 6: Fall Conference --- 1996
Folder 7: Opening Event
Box 7
Folder 1: African American
Folder 2: Arab American
Folder 3: Chinese American
Folder 4: Southeast Asian American
Folder 5: Eastern European American
Folder 6: Latino
Folder 7: Korean American
Folder 8: Native American
Series 5: Correspondence --- 1961-1995
Box 8
Folder 1: Correspondence with family in Netherlands --- 1961
Access Restriction: RESTRICTED
Folder 2: Correspondence with family in Netherlands --- 1962-1963
Access Restriction: RESTRICTED
Folder 3: Correspondence with family in Netherlands --- 1964-1965
Access Restriction: RESTRICTED
Folder 4: Correspondence with family in Netherlands --- 1966
Access Restriction: RESTRICTED
Folder 5: Correspondence with family in Netherlands --- 1967-1968
Access Restriction: RESTRICTED
Folder 6: Correspondence with family in Netherlands --- 1969-1970
Access Restriction: RESTRICTED
Folder 7: Correspondence with family in Netherlands --- 1971
Access Restriction: RESTRICTED
Folder 8: Correspondence with family in Netherlands --- 1972
Access Restriction: RESTRICTED
Folder 9: Correspondence with family in Netherlands --- 1973
Access Restriction: RESTRICTED
Folder 10: Correspondence with family in Netherlands --- 1974
Access Restriction: RESTRICTED
Folder 11: Correspondence with family in Netherlands --- 1975
Access Restriction: RESTRICTED
Folder 12: Correspondence with family in Netherlands --- 1976
Access Restriction: RESTRICTED
Folder 13: Correspondence with family in Netherlands --- 1977
Access Restriction: RESTRICTED
Folder 14: Correspondence with family in Netherlands --- 1978
Access Restriction: RESTRICTED
Folder 15: Correspondence with family in Netherlands --- 1979
Access Restriction: RESTRICTED
Folder 16: Correspondence with family in Netherlands --- 1980
Access Restriction: RESTRICTED
Folder 17: Correspondence with family in Netherlands --- 1981-1982
Access Restriction: RESTRICTED
Folder 18: Correspondence with family in Netherlands --- 1984-1985
Access Restriction: RESTRICTED
Folder 19: Correspondence with family in Netherlands --- 1987-1988
Access Restriction: RESTRICTED
Folder 20: Correspondence with family in Netherlands --- 1989
Access Restriction: RESTRICTED
Folder 21: Correspondence with family in Netherlands --- 1990
Access Restriction: RESTRICTED
Folder 22: Correspondence with family in Netherlands --- 1991
Access Restriction: RESTRICTED
Folder 23: Correspondence with family in Netherlands --- 1992
Access Restriction: RESTRICTED
Folder 24: Correspondence with family in Netherlands --- 1993
Access Restriction: RESTRICTED
Folder 25: Correspondence with family in Netherlands --- 1994
Access Restriction: RESTRICTED
Box 9
Folder 1: Correspondence with family in Netherlands --- 1995
Access Restriction: RESTRICTED
Folder 2: Correspondence with family in Netherlands --- 1996
Access Restriction: RESTRICTED
Folder 3: Correspondence with family in Netherlands --- 1997
Access Restriction: RESTRICTED
Folder 4: Correspondence with family in Netherlands --- 1998
Access Restriction: RESTRICTED
Folder 5: Correspondence with family in Netherlands --- 1999
Access Restriction: RESTRICTED
Box 10
Folder 1: Correspondence --- 1964
Folder 2: Correspondence --- 1965
Folder 3: Correspondence --- 1966
Folder 4: Correspondence --- 1967
Folder 5: Correspondence --- 1968
Folder 6: Correspondence --- 1969
Folder 7: Correspondence --- 1970
Folder 8: Correspondence --- 1971
Folder 9: Correspondence --- 1972
Folder 10: Celebration of Heritage Committee minutes and related documents --- 1975-1976
Folder 11: Correspondence --- 1973
Folder 12: Correspondence --- 1974
Folder 13: Correspondence --- 1975
Folder 14: Correspondence --- 1976
Folder 15: Correspondence --- 1977
Box 11
Folder 1: Correspondence --- 1978
Folder 2: Correspondence --- 1979
Folder 3: Correspondence --- 1980
Folder 4: Correspondence --- 1981
Folder 5: Correspondence --- 1982
Folder 6: Correspondence --- 1983
Folder 7: Correspondence --- 1984
Folder 8: Correspondence --- 1985
Box 12
Folder 1: Correspondence --- 1986
Folder 2: Correspondence --- 1987
Folder 3: Correspondence --- 1988
Folder 4: Correspondence --- 1989
Folder 5: Correspondence --- 1990
Folder 6: Correspondence --- 1991
Folder 7: Correspondence --- 1992
Folder 8: Correspondence --- 1993
Folder 9: Correspondence --- 1994
Folder 10: Correspondence --- 1995
Box 13
Folder 1: Correspondence, school records, etc --- 1963
Series 6: Miscellaneous --- 1938-2014
Box 13
Folder 2: Resume
Folder 3: Artwork
Folder 4: Class notebook, University of Michigan --- 1965
Folder 5: Material re: sixty years of Dutch landscapes exhibit --- 1972
Folder 6: Art show programs, Reformed Journal cover --- 1972
Folder 7: Minutes of the D.I.S. Bicentennial Committee --- 1975
Folder 8: Material re: 17th century Dutch navigation art exhibit --- 1976
Folder 9: Municipal Art Advisory Commission minutes --- 1978
Folder 10: Artist in residency Report (sabbatical) --- 1984-1985
Folder 11: Material re: La Grave Christian Reformed Church Centennial Celebration --- 1986
Folder 12: Art show programs, articles, etc. --- 1988
Folder 13: Boeve Retirement Celebration material --- 1990
Folder 14: News clippings, exhibition programs, etc. --- 1990
Folder 15: Photographs of Stories of Faith Reception
Box 14
Folder 1: Conference material, programs, etc. --- 1991
Folder 2: Sabbatical journals, show programs, etc --- 1993
Folder 3: Trips to Alberta --- 1993-1994
Folder 4: Material re: Prairie Visions Presentation --- 1994-1995
Folder 5: Exhibits and other events --- 1996
Folder 6: Exhibits and other events --- 1997
Folder 7: Exhibits and other events --- 1998
Folder 8: News clippings
Folder 9: Photographs of art studio and portraits of Christian Reformed leaders
Folder 10: Miscellaneous material --- 1999
Folder 11: Miscellaneous material --- 2000
Box 15
Folder 1: Cover art
Folder 2: Brochures, booklets, exhibits
Folder 3: Designs for campaigns, bulletins, organizations
Folder 4: Bicentennial project --- 1976
Folder 5: Brochures - Senior, BFA, and Alumni Art Exhibits
Folder 6: Baroque Festival Year --- 1982
Folder 7: Lecture, "Modern Printmaking" --- 1992
Folder 8: Correspondence --- 1983-1993
Folder 9: Central Art Gallery
Folder 10: Central Art Gallery Exhibits
Folder 11: Postcards
Box 16
Folder 1: Correspondence with family members --- 1955-2003
Folder 2: Correspondence --- 1993-2007
Folder 3: Window design project for Hope CRC --- 2005
Folder 4: Presentations made --- 2003-2006
Folder 5: Inventory lists of artwork --- 2001-2005
Folder 6: Periodical articles --- 1994, 1999, 2001
Folder 7: Thank you notes --- 1999, 2003, 2005, 2007
Folder 8: Thank you notes --- 1997, 2000, 2003-2005, 2007, 2008
Folder 9: Minutes and related material re: Graafschap CRC Heritage Center Project --- 2000-2007
Box 17
Folder 1: Appointment book --- 1957
Folder 2: Sketches --- 1960
Folder 3: Sketches --- 1958
Folder 4: Sketches --- 1963
Folder 5: Life insurance documents for Johannes Overvoorde --- 1938, 1970
Folder 6: Material re: Grand Rapids Art Museum --- 2000-2005
Folder 7: Civa Codex2 Project material --- undated
Folder 8: Awards --- 2003, 2006, 2007
Folder 9: Artwork marketed by Eyekons --- 2004
Folder 10: Material re: Artist in Residency - Forest Hills Fine Arts Center --- 2005
Folder 11: Exhibits in Governor's Executive Offices --- 2003
Folder 12: Presentation of History of Painting: From Generation to Generation --- 2007
Folder 13: Interview with C. Johannes (father) --- 1994
Folder 14: Trip journals --- 1995, 1997
Folder 15: Workshop, "Unleashing Christ's Light" --- 2003
Folder 16: Art Gallery Exhibition material --- 2002, 2007
Folder 17: "Art to the Glory of God" by Jon Barber --- 2010
Folder 18: Correspondence --- (2008-2014)
Folder 19: "Art as a Community" --- 2006
Folder 20: Dialogue - "Prairie Visions" --- -1994
Folder 21: Contracts --- (2006-2014)
Folder 22: Grand Rapids Art Museum Exhibits and Speeches --- (2010-2014)
Folder 23: Wheaton CRC - Pulpit Furnishing --- 2007
Folder 24: "A Life in Art"  Exhibition --- 2003
Folder 25: Retrospective Exhibit - Forest Hills Fine Arts Center --- 2008
Box 18
Folder 1: "The Journal of a Christian Artist" - Speech --- (2009-2010)
Folder 2: Exhibitions and Events --- (2007-2010)
Folder 3: Exhibitions and Events --- (2011-2014)
Folder 4: Presentations --- (2008-2014)
Folder 5: Armand Merizon Legacy --- (2008, 2010)
Folder 6: Biographical Information and Articles --- (1998-2013)
Folder 7: Bunker Interpretative Center "Delight in God's Creation" --- 2008
Folder 8: Invoices Ed Hutchinson --- 1964
Folder 9: Calvin Fine Arts Center - Banners/Floral --- (2007-2009)
Folder 10: "Prophets, Priests, Kings" Woodcuts --- 2011
Folder 11: "Twenty-Five Years as an American Artist" --- 1986
Folder 12: Woodlawn CRC Presentations --- (2009, 2013)
Folder 13: Presentation - First Reformed Church Holland --- 2011
Folder 14: "The Fabrics of Our Lives - Learning from Textiles" --- 2009
Folder 15: "The Role of the Christian Artist" Kuyper College --- 2009
Folder 16: "Edge of the Prairie Exhibition" --- 2007
Folder 17: CALL Classes --- (2010-2011)
Folder 18: "Who is My Neighbor" Conference and Art Exhibit --- 2014
Folder 19: Meijer Gardens Drawing Class --- 2008
Folder 20: Grand Rapids Art Museum - Centennial --- 2009
Folder 21: "A Life in Art" Exhibition GRAM --- 2003
[Empty]
Folder 22: Humana Starlight Award --- 2009
Folder 23: "So You've Been Asked to Design Visuals for Worship" --- 1999
Folder 24: Art Notes
Folder 25: Alarabara Art Series --- (1997-2001)
Folder 26: "Engaging Culture" Western Theological Seminary --- 2008
Folder 27: "Art and the Church" Kuyper College --- 2013
Folder 28: Meijer Gardens - Kendall College of Art Presentation --- 2012
Folder 29: Newspaper Clippings --- (1969-2014)
Folder 30: Presentation Eastern Avenue CRC --- (2010-2011)
Folder 31: Reformed Worship --- 2011
Folder 32: "The Invisible in the Landscape" Exhibit --- 2013
Folder 33: "Art as Response" Cutlerville CRC
Folder 34: Kunstfest Diversity (Retirement Art Fest) --- 1997
Series 7: Addendum
Box 19
Folder 1: Lectures and Papers --- 1961-1969
Folder 2: Lectures and Papers --- 1970-1979
Folder 3: Lectures and Papers --- 1980
Folder 4: Lectures and Papers --- 1981-1985
Folder 5: Lectures and Papers --- 1986-1989
Folder 6: Lectures and Papers --- 1990-1992
Folder 7: Lectures and Papers --- 1993
Folder 8: Lectures and Papers --- 1994-1995
Folder 9: Lectures and Papers --- 1996-1999
Folder 10: Lectures and Papers --- 2000-2004
Folder 11: Artwork - Various Projects
Folder 12: Artwork - Calvin College Buildings
Box 20
Folder 1: Artwork and Sketchbooks
Folder 2: Various Trips --- 1991-1999
Folder 3: Baroque Festival --- 1992-1993
Folder 4: Correspondence --- 1997
Folder 5: Correspondence --- 1998
Folder 6: Correspondence --- 1999
Folder 7: Correspondence --- 2000
Folder 8: Sabbatical Leave of Absence --- 1993-1994
Folder 9: Sabatical - Dutch Art --- 1997-1998
Folder 10: CALL Class - 19th Century Dutch Painting --- 2004
Folder 11: Notes on Prints --- 1961-1964
Folder 12: Day Journal in Holland --- 1977-1978
Folder 13: Passenger List "Johan Van Oldenbarnevelt"
Box 21
Folder 1: CRC Denominational Building Atrium Project --- 1996
Folder 2: Invoice Book and Price Lists
Folder 3: Bulletins, Signs, and Artwork - Grace CRC
Folder 4: Book Reviews - Passing the Colors: Engaging Visual Culture in the 21st Century --- 2002
Folder 5: Calvin Seminary - Covenant Room Art --- 2004
Folder 6: North Hills CRC Artwork - Troy, Michigan --- 2004
Folder 7: Art Lecture - Grand Rapids Art Museum --- 2006
Folder 8: Lecture - Kendall College of Art and Design --- 2016
Folder 9: The West Michigan Eight
Folder 10: Reformed Bible Institute Presidential Medallion
Folder 11: Photos of Portraits - Persons Named on Calvin College Dorms
Folder 12: Photos of Sky (Clouds) Art
Folder 13: Photos of Various Art Works
Folder 14: "Witness" Testimonies Serving as a Witness to the Legacy of Chris Stoffel Overvoorde (Retirement 1997) [1 of 3] --- 1997
Folder 15: "Witness" Testimonies Serving as a Witness to the Legacy of Chris Stoffel Overvoorde (Retirement 1997) [2 of 3] --- 1997
Folder 16: "Witness" Testimonies Serving as a Witness to the Legacy of Chris Stoffel Overvoorde (Retirement 1997) [3 of 3] --- 1997
Folder 17: Retirement Cards and Wishes --- 1997
Folder 18: Thank You Notes and Letters