"Our extended community has reaped the benefits of exhibitions of work by nationally acclaimed artists, talks by eminent scholars and critics and an award-winning museum education program," Jean Westmacott said.
Brenau had no designated gallery space until 1985, when Dr. John S. Burd became president. Until then, student and faculty work was presented informally in various buildings on campus. Dr. Burd, according to the Brenau Web site, recognized the need for a dedicated gallery space for the university.
A small chapel outside the balcony of Pearce Auditorium was converted into the Presidents Gallery. Mary Jane Taylor, Director of Visual Arts, was appointed gallery director and greatly expanded the range of exhibits. In 1986, Dr. Burd initiated the formation of Brenau's art collection - now designated the Brenau University Permanent Art Collection. The first entry was a still life by American artist, William Merritt Chase.
"The collection currently numbers over 1100 works, including early oil paintings by Cezanne and Renoir, watercolors by Delacroix, Pre-Columbian artifacts, a large oil painting by Anna Elizabeth Klumpke, sculptures by Jean Arp, Clyde Connell, William King and Maria Artemis, a gouache by Amelia Peláez and prints by Jasper Johns," according to Westmacott.
The works are exhibited throughout campus buildings and occasionally in thematic exhibitions. In 1990, the 1914 neoclassic library was renovated to house the Simmons Visual Arts Center and Jean Westmacott became the second gallery director. The March 1991 inaugural exhibition, Retrospective of Jasper Johns Prints from the Leo Castelli Collection, launched the museum education program that developed into a combination of tours and hands-on workshops for many area schoolchildren.
Westmacott says the program has served more than 14,000 students and their teachers through the years.
Westmacott that Dr. Burd was first turned down when he approached some eminent artists about showing their works, but was persistent - and finally persuaded Castelli.
In conjunction with the 20th anniversary, officials are launching their first ever public fund-raising campaign.
"Funding from sources such as foundations, corporations and government (grants) has diminished due to various events that have gone on over the past few years since 9/11 particularly," Westmacott said. "Rather than lower the quality of programming for which Brenau University Galleries has become known, we have decided to launch a Friends of the Galleries membership drive."
http://accesswdun.com/article/2005/12/119828