Oliver B. James, a Phoenix attorney, anonymously donated paintings and prints to Arizona State University in the 1950s. His goal was to provide students, faculty, school children and the general public in Arizona with the opportunity to view and be inspired by original works of art. James thoughtfully acquired and donated close to 150 works of primarily American art, working with Paula Kloster, director of the art department and curator of the collection.
James collected European and American prints to represent the major artists in modern print history. This includes work of prominent artists from the 19th Century Etching Revival and from the 20th century publishing firm of Associated American Artists, among others.
James’ print collection became the nucleus for the museum’s works-on-paper holdings which now number over 5,500 etchings, lithographs, woodblocks, photographs and drawings. This collection is housed in the Jules Heller Print Study Room, exhibited in the galleries and studied by students and scholars.
This exhibition was selected from the ASU Art Museum’s permanent collection by Jean Makin, curator of prints, with research assistance from Kereese Harris, education student internand master’s student in art history. Support for Found(ing): Prints is provided by the Evelyn Smith Exhibition Fund and members of the ASU Art Museum.
This exhibition is presented in conjuction with Found(ing) Story: The Oliver B. James Collection, on view July 11 – Nov. 14, 2015 in the museum’s Americas Gallery.
If you would like to bring your class or group to see an exhibition or collection, and/or meet with a curator, please contact Andrea Feller, Curator of Education at andrea.feller@asu.edu .
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