The Canadian Collection is a collection of works of art on paper donated to Ferris State University. The final shipment was received in February of 2000. Debra Jacks, former director of Annual Giving and Development Services, and two Canadian companies, Art For Education Consultants Limited and Capital Vision, Inc, organized the collection as a gift.
This collection is historically the largest gift ever received by Ferris, containing more than 50,000 prints and photographs totaling over $20,000,000 in appraised value. In receiving this gift the university undertakes the responsibility of retaining the condition of the collection. In an effort to manage this collection a storage facility and framing department were designed and constructed in the FLITE building. A gallery system software package was also purchased in which each piece of art will be digitally accessioned and its information preserved.
The collection is comprised of eleven categories: Hand Pulled, After Audubon, Canadian Landmarks, Children at Play, A Distant Thunder I, A Distant Thunder II, Photography, From the West, Nature Alive, Ontario Suite and Modern American Classics. Over 250 artists are represented in this collection. The styles range from photo-realistic landscapes to pop art and abstracts. Ben Shahn, Robert Indiana, and Leonard Baskin are just a few of the artists represented.
Many prints can be seen hung throughout campus, including 52 in FLITE and 100 in the Timme building. Other locations with public viewing are Arts and Science Commons, Starr, Williams Auditorium, IRC, and Victor F. Spathelf, the Allied Health Center.
To Purchase Prints
The prints are for sale and available to the public. Work from the collection can be viewed in person on Ferris' campus or by clicking on the Canadian Collection drop down under Collections on the gallery web page. Individuals or corporations interested in purchasing pieces from the Canadian Collection can contact Carrie Weis, Director, Ferris State University Fine Art Gallery. [email protected] or 231-591-2536.