Weekday
Although his job is busier than most, Eldredge contends that he can't imagine doing anything else.
Man on the Move
In the gallery of Helen Foresman Spencer Museum of Art, people of various descriptions leisurely stroll through the museum pausing to slowly view the timeless masterpieces.
Above the tranquil scene in a fifth floor office Charles Eldridge, the museum's art director, hung up the telephone hurriedly jotted a note on his calendar and stabbed a half-finished cigarette into a full austray.
"I'm sorry that I keep looking at my watch, but I have to meet with some unexposed guests shortly." Eldredge said.
So goes the day of Eldridge. He dashes off to meet with the vice president of the Spencer Foundations, Carolyn Calafia, a California art donor. James Sanders.
Forty-five minutes later he was in back in his office drinking coffee, taking on the telephone and sitting through the stacks of paper held
It was 4 p.m. and the young director had already conducted more business than most.
He had attended a staff meeting, met with an art history graduate student to discuss a review the student had written, reviewed a luncheon in the Kansas Union where he discussed restoration of the memorials of the press, received and placed dozens of telephone calls.
The weekly feature page of the University Daily Kansan February 8.1978
"Today started at 8:15 a.m. and will end, hopefully, about 10:30 p.m.
"Today may or may not be typical. It's busier than most," he says.
Before the museum's Jan. 17 opening, the tall 33-year-old Eldredge used to work 16 hours a day.
Eldridge, who came to the University of Kansas in 1970 from the University of Minnesota, said he was impressed when he had been down to normal," although he was not sure what "normal" would be. Eldridge was an acting professor of art history until 1971, when he was director of Spoon Art Museum.
The new museum was a highlight in Eldredge's career. He had been a
part of the museum since its inception five years ago.
With the opening of the museum, the University, Eldredge said, finally has the space and facility to approximately 23,000 pieces of art.
For years, the University had been telling the public of its art collection, he said, and now they can see it.
Eldredge said he and his staff were constantly on the lookout for additional art for the museum.
The museum shows approximately 2,000 pieces at a time.
"We travel in search of art, usually in conjunction with other business," he said.
The procedure for buying art, he says, is quite simple.
"The piece would be sent to the museum on an approval basis, and then we'd determine its authenticity."
The museum's board would then decide by vote for funding for the piece, he said.
"If the art piece is in private collection, we would notify the proper person to put it on a buying reserve list.
"We would then begin research on the piece to see if we really wanted it.
In addition to being chief curator, Eldredge, who has been described as being one of the main forces behind the museum's success, conducts research, teaches, seeks out new materials and raises funds for the museum.
After leaving Spencer museum, Eldredge, who admitted is usually the last to leave, enjoys playing with a bow and putting his feet up for awhile.
Eldredge, who says he has no talent for art himself, enjoys sailing, reading, and cooking when he has time.
"I also enjoy restoring old houses, including the one I'm living in right now," he says.
Eldredge says he doesn't mind the amount of time that is required for his multi-faceted job.
"I obviously enjoy my work," he said as he stepped into the elevator on his way to another meeting.
Charles Eldredge is faced with the responsibility of directing one of the only museums of its kind in the area.
During a regular staff meeting, Eldredge consults an associate
Story by Robert Beer Photos by Donald Waller
Eldredge spends many hours accompanying visitors throughout the museums galleries. A great deal of time is spent awaiting new arrivals.