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Central Michigan University is expanding the way students engage with art, by putting it directly in their hands. Thanks to a new initiative from the Art on Campus Committee, the CMU Art Collection now includes a Teaching Collection designed specifically for classroom use.
This hands-on collection allows faculty to bring original artworks into their courses, giving students the chance to study pieces up close. After receiving training in proper art handling, students will be able to examine materials, techniques, and cultural details in ways that go far beyond the textbook.
The collection’s debut features a generous donation from CMU alum Jerry Thompson, 14 Southwest Native American ceramic vessels. Thompson, who earned his B.S. in Art Education and Speech & Theatre in 1965 and his M.A. in Education in 1968, spent 32 years teaching art in Michigan and more than five decades as a working artist. He credits CMU with laying the foundation for his life in the arts.
“These pieces were always part of my teaching,” Thompson said. “Now they’ll continue to educate students here at CMU.” Students studying ceramics, Art History, and Indigenous American cultures will have the opportunity to learn first-hand from these works.
The Teaching Collection will be housed in the Department of Art & Design and will include works from a variety of media, cultures, and time periods. Faculty across disciplines will be able to incorporate the collection into their courses, offering students a richer, more tactile learning experience.
“Jerry Thompson’s donation is a perfect way to launch this initiative,” said Scott De Brestian, Chair of the Department of Art & Design. “We’re incredibly grateful for his generosity and excited about the opportunities this collection will create.”
Anne Gochenour, co-chair of the Art on Campus Committee, added, “These works expand the scope of the CMU Art Collection and are ideal for the Teaching Collection. We’re thrilled Jerry thought of CMU.”
The Art on Campus Committee, which is charged by the university president with curating and caring for the CMU Art Collection, will oversee the Teaching Collection. For questions or more information, contact Anne Gochenour at goche1as@cmich.edu.
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