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Bob Strain papers

 Collection
Identifier: Q165

Scope and Contents of the Papers

The Bob Strain papers include correspondence, newsletters, poems, and photographs related to Bob Strain’s involvement with the organizations he served, including the Gay Spirit Visions (GSV) and the Atlanta Radical Faeries Circle. Of interest are photographs from GSV conferences, which include members such as Franklin Abbott and Andrew Ramer. There are published poems by Bob Strain and collected poetry from Shamanic Dances workshops. The papers also contain letters from GSV members.

Dates

  • Creation: 1994-2014

Creator

Restrictions on Access

Collection is open for research use.

Terms Governing Use and Reproduction

Georgia State University is the owner of the physical collection and makes reproductions available for research, subject to the copyright law of the United States and item condition. Georgia State University may or may not own the rights to materials in the collection. It is the researcher's responsibility to verify copyright ownership and obtain permission from the copyright holder before publication, reproduction, or display of the materials beyond what is reasonable under copyright law. Researchers may quote selections from the collection under the fair use provision of copyright law.

Biography of Bob Strain

Classically trained pianist Bob Strain was born in Colorado City, Texas, in 1950. The oldest of six children, Strain started piano lessons at age five and learned to play the flute, clarinet, and guitar.

In 1997, Strain earned his Bachelors degree in Music from Shepherd University and his Doctor of Musical Arts in piano performance from Shenandoah University, in Winchester, Virginia. As a professor, he taught piano and theory at Shenandoah University for 10 years. Strain performed extensively in the Washington, D.C. area, with engagements at Willard Intercontinental Hotel, Gaylord National Hotel at the National Harbor, Maryland, and Friends Piano Bars at Dupont Circle and Georgetown. He specializes in Jazz and the American songbook of standards.

Strain served as a council member of the Gay Spirit Visions (GSV), an organization that organizes gatherings for gay men to explore their spirituality and identity in a safe, nurturing, and sacred environment. He learned of the organization after attending a Body Electric Retreat in California. Strain is also a member of the Atlanta Radical Faeries Circle, a group that emphasizes questioning social structure, while honoring one's own individuality.

Extent

0.8 Linear Feet (in 2 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract:

Classically trained pianist Bob Strain served as a council member of the Gay Spirit Visions (GSV), an organization that organizes gatherings for gay men to explore their spirituality and identity in a safe, nurturing, and sacred environment. His papers, 1994-2014, undated, include correspondence, newsletters, poems, and photographs related to Bob Strain's involvement with the organizations he served, including Gay Spirit Visions (GSV) and the Atlanta Radical Faeries Circle.

Acquisition Information

Donated by Bob Strain via Cal Gough, July 2015.

Related Materials Note

Related Materials in this Repository

  1. Gay Spirit Visions records, 1978-2010 (Q127)
  2. Gay Spirit Visions Oral History Project
  3. Franklin Abbott papers, 1907-1910, 1933, 1942, 1950-2014 (Q108)

Related Materials in Georgia State University's Digital Collections

Collection Transfer Note

This collection was previously designated W165, but was assigned collection number Q165 with the formation of the Gender and Sexuality Collection in 2018.

Processing Information

Processed by Felicia D. Render at the file level, June 23, 2016.

Title
Bob Strain:
Subtitle
A Guide to His Papers at Georgia State University Library
Status
Completed
Author
Georgia State University Library
Date
23 June 2016
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections Repository

Contact:
100 Decatur St., S.E.
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
404-413-2880
404-413-2881 (Fax)