Judy Chicago is a noted feminist artist, author, and educator. She was born in Chicago as Judy Cohen, but later changed her name in protest of the patriarchal nature of traditional naming practices. Chicago received her bachelor of art degree in 1962 and her master of art degree in 1964, both from the University of California, Los Angeles. She has also been granted five honorary doctoral degrees. She currently resides in Belen, New Mexico. This collection features Chicago's work as a pedagogue, as well as the work of her students.

Harold J. McWhinnie was a professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction, University of Maryland, from 1970 until he retired in 1997. He is a ceramic artist. This collections contains research papers on art, art education, and art theory from 1901-2000, and McWhinnie's brief comments about them. Additionally, there are examples of his published and unpublished work, including papers, presentations, and dissertations.