Leist, Doris (1911-2004) Papers, 1947-2004

Held by The Filson Historical Society

Creator: Doris Leist, 1911-2004

Title: Papers, 1947-2004 (bulk 1954-1982)

Rights: For information regarding literary and copyright interest for these papers, contact the Curator of Special Collections.

Size of Collection: 0.33 cubic feet

Location Number: Mss./A/L532

Scope and Content Note

Collection is comprised of correspondence, a scrapbook, clippings, loan agreement forms, jury decisions, and ephemera related to Leist’s artwork and her involvement with the Crescent Hill Woman’s Club, Woman’s Club of St. Matthews, and the CRIT CLUB of the Art Center Association in Louisville, Ky. This collection documents Leist work as an artist which reciprocally provides a glimpse into the regional art scene of the mid-to-late twentieth century.

Separation Note

Paintings by Leist (twenty-six total) and photographs have been separated and transferred to The Filson Museum Collection and The Filson Photo Collection, respectively.

Biographical Note

Doris Leist was born on February 19, 1911 in New Albany, Indiana. Before marrying Ray F. Leist in 1934, she attended art school and worked briefly with an advertising firm. When her only son Ray, Jr. was 13 years old she returned to the study of painting. Leist studied under Eugene Leake at the Art Center Association School in Louisville, KY as well as with Leo Manso and Victor Candell in Provincetown, MA and at Ohio University in Athens.

A realist portrait painter working primarily in oils, Leist won numerous awards in local and regional juried art shows. She was commissioned to paint portraits, notably those of Emma L Woerner, principal of Atherton High School; Louisville Mayor Frank Burke; Ky Lt. Gov. Thelma Stovall. Leist was a member of the Arts Club of Louisville, the Crescent Hill Women’s Club, St. Matthews Women’s club, and Beargrass Christian Church. She volunteered at the V.A. Hospital and Baptist East hospital. Leist died January 14, 2004 at the age of 93.

Folder List

Folder 1: Correspondence, 1954-1982, n.d.

Folder 2: Scrapbook, 1951-1977

Folder 3: Miscellaneous, 1941-1970, n.d.

Folder 4: Newspaper & magazine clippings, 1949- 1994, n.d.

Folder 5: Ephemera, 1947-2004, n.d.

Subject Headings

Art Center Association (Louisville, Ky.)

Art, American — 20th century

Crescent Hill Women’s Club (Louisville, Ky.)

Leist, Doris, 1911-2004

McMeekin, Isabel McLennan, 1895-1973

Portrait painting — 20th century

Stovall, Thelma Loyace, — 1919-1994

Woman’s Club of St. Matthews (Louisville, Ky.)

Women’s Club of Louisville (Ky.)