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HOLLAND, Mich. (AP) — A donation of Asian art worth more than $1.2 million has significantly boosted the collection of a new museum opening at a liberal arts college in western Michigan.
More than 500 artworks and 7,000 art-related books, publications and catalogs donated by California residents David Kamansky and Gerald Wheaton have increased Hope College's collection by about 30 percent. The school's Kruizenga Art Museum is set to open Sept. 8, with many pieces on display that have never been seen by the public before, The Holland Sentinel (http://bit.ly/1g7M43o ) reported.
The new museum marks a shift in internal ownership at Hope College, with the collection and display now being handled by its new museum department instead of its art department, which had overseen the school's artwork since 1965.
As director of the museum, Charles Mason's main job is to make it relevant to the study body, he said.
Mason hopes to make the museum a resource to both the college and the community, serving Hope College students and local children in kindergarten through 12th grade.
The museum is named in honor of a financial gift from Holland residents and 1952 Hope College graduates Dr. Richard and Margaret Kruizenga.
Construction on the $3 million building in Holland began in May 2013 and was completed this June. The museum will feature two galleries, with one displaying European and American art, and the other displaying Asian art.
Art will be installed in the building in July.
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Information from: The Holland Sentinel, http://www.thehollandsentinel.com
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