Bonnie Koloc collection of visual materials, ca. 1964-2003

Advance appointment required to view color material in cold storage.

For viewing videos, it is necessary to use a copy, not the original (and to have a copy made if one is not available).

Koloc retains copyright to original artwork. Copyright to some photographs may be held by individual photographers. Credit photographer

Gift of Bonnie Koloc (2003.0222).

Photographs, posters, prints, and videotapes relating to the life and career of American folk singer and artist, Bonnie Koloc. Includes many portrait photographs of Koloc, some showing her in performance with Curt Cole Burkhart, folk singers Steve Goodman, John Prine, Fred Holstein and various celebrities; backstage at venues, such as the Earl of Old Town, Mister Kelly's, and the Ravinia Festival; and with her dog at home or walking around Chicago. Many images were made by photographers working in Chicago, including Curt Cole Burkhart, Mort Shapiro, Greg Mellinger and Charles Osgood. Some of these photos were used by Koloc for publicity and on album covers, especially photos by Burkhart. The collection also includes original artwork by Bonnie Koloc.

Born in Waterloo (Iowa), Bonnie Koloc achieved great recognition as a folk singer and songwriter in her early twenties after moving to Chicago (Illinois) in 1968. Between 1968 and the early 1980s, Koloc was a prominent member of Chicago’s folk scene, performing regularly at venues such as the Earl of Old Town (a pub that Koloc's performances helped to make famous), Somebody Else’s Troubles, Mister Kelly’s, Amazing Grace Café, The Quiet Night, and the Old Town School of Folk Music. She often performed on the same bill as other noted Chicago folk singers, including John Prine and Steve Goodman. In addition to Prine and Goodman, Koloc has performed and recorded with musicians Corky Siegel, Howard Levy, Jim Post, Fred Holstein and Ed Holstein, Elliot Delman, and Jim Tullio. As of 2003, she has recorded more than ten full-length albums.

Noted photographer Curt Cole Burkhart, whose work is represented in this collection, was Koloc’s boyfriend from 1973 until his death in 1975 at the age of 34. In 1982, Koloc moved to New York City, where she studied and performed in local theater. In 1986 she returned to Chicago, where she continued to perform for the next several years. Then, after a brief move to Nashville, Koloc returned to her native Iowa, where she dedicated most of her creative energies to her work in the visual arts.

Related material at Chicago History Museum, Research Center, includes the Bonnie Koloc papers and sound recordings.

• Names
  • Koloc, Bonnie
  • Burkhart, Curt Cole, d. 1975
  • Bryne, Jane
  • Goodman, Steve
  • Holstein, Fred
  • Pionke, Earl
  • Prine, John
  • Seeger, Pete
  • Earl of Old Town (Tavern : Chicago, Ill.)
  • Mister Kelly's (Nightclub : Chicago, Ill.)
  • Ravinia Festival
• Subject
  • Dogs--Illinois--Chicago--20th century
  • Folk singers--Illinois--Chicago--20th century
  • Folk singers--United States--20th century
  • Musicians--Illinois--Chicago. lctgm
  • Women singers--Illinois--Chicago--20th century
• Geographic CoverageChicago (Ill.)--Social life and customs--20th century

The collection is arranged in four series by format.

Series 1. Black-and-white photographic prints, circa 1964-1984 (2 boxes)

Portraits of Koloc and colleagues, in the recording studio and on stage, by Curt Cole Burkhart, Greg Mellinger, Mort Shapiro, Howard Simmons, and others.

Series 2. Color photographic prints, circa 1969-1989 (1 box)

Koloc at local venues, as well as portraits by Charles Osgood.

Series 3. Posters and prints, undated (1 folder)

Concert posters, mechanical and screen prints, newspaper clippings and original artwork.

Series 4. Videotapes, circa 1980-1997 (1 box)

Bonnie Koloc at Chicago Fest, Ravinia Festival; other special appearances.