This site collects the basic photographic and written works produced by Gretchen Garner. What follows is an essential chronology, especially as it relates to professional work, although exhibitions are not listed, nor are non-professional jobs. Some personal information is included for reference.
| 1939 |
Born in Minneapolis, MN, to Irving Grant and Laura Hoffoss Grant |
| 1943 |
Beginning of many family moves, following father’s professional life as a consulting engineer. Between 1943 and 1955, the family moved ten times: to Washington, DC; Harrison, NY; Raleigh, NC; Ridgewood, NJ; Springfield, MA; Dallas, TX (twice); Nyack, NY; Colorado City, TX; Downers Grove, IL |
| 1951 |
Beginning of summers spent in Grand Marais, MN |
| 1957 |
Graduation from Downers Grove (IL) Community High School |
| 1959 |
Marriage to William T. Garner |
| 1960 |
Birth of first daughter, Laura Ann |
| 1965 |
Birth of second daughter, Helen Jean |
| 1965 |
Graduation from the University of Chicago (AB degree with general honors, Art History) |
| 1970-73 |
Picture Editor for Encyclopaedia Britannica |
| 1973-75 |
Graduate study at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, supported by a fellowship from the Danforth Foundation (MFA in photography, 1975) |
| 1974-75 |
Freelance photographer for Chicago Daily News (“Chicago’s Beautiful Homes” stories) |
| 1974 |
Began teaching at St. Xavier College, Chicago (until 1984) |
| 1975-77 |
Reviews and essays for The New Art Examiner |
| 1975 |
Divorced from William T. Garner |
| 1978 |
Exhibition “Lorado Taft in Illinois” circulated by the Illinois Arts Council (till 1983) |
| 1979 |
Marriage to Steven L. Klindt |
| 1980-81 |
Editor of Exposure, Society for Photographic Education |
| 1982 |
Gretchen Garner’s Catalog: An Art History of Ephemera, self-published |
| 1982 |
Began writing book reviews for Booklist, American Library Assn. (till 1997) |
| 1985 |
Moved to Duluth, MN |
| 1987 |
Curator and author of Reclaiming Paradise: American Women Photograph the Land, for the Tweed Museum of Art, U of MN, Duluth (toured to thirteen sites between 1987-89) |
| 1987 |
Divorced from Steven L. Klindt |
| 1987 |
Moved to Grand Rapids, MI |
| 1987-89 |
Teaching at Grand Valley State University, Allendale, MI |
| 1989 |
Curator and author of Six Ideas in Photography, Grand Rapids Art Museum |
| 1989-94 |
Teaching at the University of Connecticut, Storrs (Art Department Head, 1989-92) |
| 1990-91 |
Visiting Artist, Weir Farm National Historic Site, CT |
| 1994-97 |
Academic Dean, Moore College of Art and Design, Philadelphia |
| 1997 |
Moved to Santa Fe, NM |
| 2002 |
Moved to Columbus, OH |
| 2003 |
Visiting Artist, The Ohio State University, Columbus |
| 2003 |
Publication of Disappearing Witness: Change in 20th Century American Photography (Johns Hopkins University Press) |
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