Permanent Collection
The Center Art Gallery includes a gallery dedicated to displaying work from the permanent collection.
The permanent collection of art at Calvin University started in 1922 with the gift of a painting and has continued to grow through generous gifts and intentional purchases. It consists of over 1,800 works of art dating from the 16th century to present. Early pieces are drawn from European painting and Japanese printmaking schools, while the more recent works are heavily represented by local and regional American artists. The university also collects and exhibits many works created by members of the university's alumni and faculty. In addition, a number of small specialized collections have been developed around the themes of The Prodigal Son, Light, and Japanese artist and Christ-follower Sadao Watanabe.
The collection can be concisely categorized into:
- Calvin University faculty and alumni work
- Art and Artists of West Michigan
- 19th century Dutch and Hague School work
- Modern Photography
- Printmaking of Sadao Watanabe and supporting Asian prints and artifacts
- Artwork addressing the prodigal son biblical parable
- Contemporary artwork addressing the theme of light
Since Calvin University is a teaching university, the collections and exhibitions of the Center Art Gallery are used as educational tools. With nearly 45% of the collection on display throughout campus, artwork has been integrated into the daily lives of students and staff. The Center Art Gallery views art making as a cross-disciplinary practice. The gallery space functions as a lab for artists to experiment and explore artistic ideas and practices. Exhibitions become opportunities for students and guests to explore and enhance their own academic backgrounds and aesthetic interests.
Donations
To donate artwork or funds towards a piece of art for the permanent collection, please contact Brent Williams.
Borrowing Art
Artwork in the permanent collection may be available for loan. For availability and lending requirements, please inquire with Brent Williams.
Permanent Collection Values:
- To provide an ongoing educational opportunity for our students to examine works in detail over a longer period of time
- To provide our art history students with an opportunity to research and relate the particular work from our collection to the larger context of a given period or culture
- To enhance in a meaningful way the total environment of the University by placing works of art in public spaces thus celebrating our own rich cultural heritage and supporting the activity of our faculty, alumni and other Christians active in the arts
The Prodigal Son Joins the Permanent Collection
In 2008-2009, Larry and Mary Gerbens donated their collection of prodigal son artwork to their alma mater Calvin University. To celebrate this gift, the Calvin University Center Art Gallery held an exhibit in conjunction with the Calvin Symposium on Worship. These pieces joined the university's permanent collection and are available for loan.
Restoring Masterpieces
Throughout the year, works in the collection that need cleaning and repair are identified and transported to the conservator for treatment. The university continues to retain an excellent working relation with Barry Bauman, an independent conservator who works on oil and acrylic paintings in Chicago.
In 2007, Barn Interior by Egbert van der Poel was sent for cleaning. While Bauman was working on the scene of a woman and child inside a barn he uncovered a flayed pig-a butchered and stretched pig-hanging upside down from a ladder. This discovery gave the painting a new focus and clarified the composition. In addition, the discovery of a signature and date authenticated the work and helped complete a remarkable story. Read more about the discovery at Calvin News and Stories.
Image credit: Egbert van der Poel, Barn Interior (1646)