COUSE FOUNDATION
PO Box 3525, Taos, NM 87571 www.cousefoundation.org

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Organizations Filed Purposes: To preserve the artifacts, furnishings, residence and studio of Eanger Irving Couse and two studios of Joseph Henry Sharp, in order to educate the public as to the environment, both personal and historical, in which the members of the Taos Society of Artists worked in the early 20th Century to create an artistic legacy for the Southwest. To use the historic site to encourage and support programs and research in the fields of historic preservation, art and art history and related regional studies.

To preserve the artifacts, furnishings, residence and studio of Eanger Irving Couse and two studios of Joseph Henry Sharp, in order to educate the public as to the environment, both personal and historical, in which the members of the Taos Society of Artists worked.

Accomplishments include ongoing exhibitions of artwork and educational programs concerning the Couse Historic Site and studios - the only Site of the 12 members of the Taos Society of Artists that remains intact from that period. In addition, the organization provided virtual and in-person public events about the Site's three historic studios, and distributes semi-annual newsletters (3,000+ circulation each) relating to its yearly activities. Some specific examples are:In 2014, the organization obtained a professional assessment and digital image inventory of the 160+ historic pueblo pots used by the artist. It also presented two public exhibitions and presented three public lectures. Finally it secured a topographical survey of the historic Site's gardens and an inventory of the extensive Couse archive.During 2015 The Foundation presented 4 lectures that had a combinedattendance in excess of 350. In addition, The Foundation mounted anexhibition about the life and work of Julius Rolshoven who was a member ofthe Taos Society of Artists and hosted an exhibition of etchings by JosephHenry Sharp, a founding member of the TSA. The Foundation's Presidentgave a presentation about the Couse-Sharp Historic Site and itscollections in Colorado Springs, Colorado to the docents of the ColoradoSprings Fine Arts Center. The Foundation continued its practice ofholding public open houses of the Site on the first Saturday of July,August, September and October.In 2017 the organization completed the restoration of the Joseph Henry Sharp studio and held an opening of the studio and exhibits featuring the life and career of Sharps work in Taos. The organization further held a special exhibit of the importance of archival material which chronicles the work of the artist leading to a finished painting including sketches, artist notes, photography, artist models and props used in the work. This exhibit of archival materials will lead to the development of the largest archive facility in the world for the artists making up the Taos Society of Artists from the early 20th century for the benefit of collectors, art historians, researchers, university and graduate students to understand the importance of the Taos Art Colony in the context of American Art.During 2018, The Foundation took a large step toward opening a research center and archive by closing the purchase of an adjacent historic building and moving forward with planning. The purchase was made possible by unprecedentedly large private grants and gifts. A July-October exhibition of contemporary work by Taos Pueblo artists strengthened our relationship with the Native community and increased the relevance of the Site. The organization held six public open houses that drew more than 500 people, five including talks/demonstrations by artists in the exhibition. Throughout the year, docents led extensive tours by appointment, including for large groups from museums, art and architecture organizations. A scholarly lecture by Virginia Couse Leavitt sold out an off site auditorium. Staff led the organization of the 2018 NM Association of Museums statewide conference in Taos, and the Site hosted a reception for more than 100 attending museum professionals.During 2019, The Foundation continued the planning and development of the research center, hired a full-time archivist, hosted tours, lectures, exhibitions and its biennial gala celebration in the summer of 2019. The Foundation also participated in the publishing of two books, Eanger Irving Couse: The Life and Times of an American Artist, 1866-1936, a biography of Eanger Irving Couse by his granddaughter, Virginia Couse Leavitt and The Life and Art of Joseph Henry Sharp, edited by Peter Hassrick and published by the Whitney Western Art Museum at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in association with the Lunder Research Center at The Couse Sharp Historic Site. We continue to be blessed by over 50 volunteers who participate in so many of our activities along with our staff of four dedicated professionals.During 2020, The Foundation broke ground on the 5,000 sq ft Lunder Research Center, published a book on its collection of Native beadwork, The Couse Collection of Native Beadwork, hosted a 2020 seasonal exhibition, Stitched in Sovereignty, Contemporary Beadwork from Indigenous North America, held lectures on Native beadwork and marked the 50th anniversary of the US government return of Blue Lake to the Taos Pueblo. In addition, The Foundation began the process of digitizing its archival materials and photographs as well as launching the Catalogue Raisonne project on the works of E. I. Couse. We were able to keep our entire staff employed during the Pandemic through CARES ACT loans and grants as well as grants from other entities and the generosity of our donors. We are looking forward to continuing our work and sharing The Couse-Sharp Historic Site with the public as we are able in 2021.

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