May 31, 2025 will mark the 30th anniversary of Stanley Elkin’s death. Despite a long struggle with multiple sclerosis, Stanley was a prolific fiction and essay writer and a professor of creative writing at WashU for 35 years. His beloved wife Joan (Jacobson) Elkin of 42 years, who died in 2022, was just as prolific a visual artist. Stanley dedicated almost all his books to Joan and he was the subject of inspiration for many of her paintings, illustrations, and collages.

 

This exhibition, which mainly draws from the recently completed Stanley Elkin Papers, celebrates their respective artistic talents and inspiring life together. Click here to learn more about Stanley Elkin and his literary papers at Washu Libraries' Julian Edison Department of Special Collection. Visit our Stanley Elkin Playlist for audio and video clips. Learn more about Joan Elkin and her artwork at joanelkin.com.

 

Visit the Special Collections & Access page or contact us with questions or to schedule an appointment. 

Exhibition curated by Joel Minor.  Organized by Christa Kileff.  Special thanks to Molly Elkin for loan of numerous artworks and other objects and for providing contextual information on them.