Permanent Collection

The permanent collection of Calvin College consists of over 1400 works of art dating from 1600 to the present. The collection's early pieces are primarily of European origin, while the most recent works are heavily American. There are also many pieces of artwork created by members of the college's alumni and faculty, and pieces by Michigan artists.

The collection includes: Painting, Photography, Sculpture, Prints and Drawings.
Noteworthy
Muscoot, by Lyman Kipp, is the featured artwork from the permanent collection. It stands nearly 14 feet tall and is created out of painted steel. Following an exhibition of Kipp's sculpture at Calvin College in 1979, Muscoot was purchased for permanent display. It is located near the front entrance to the Spoelhof College Center.
click to enlarge, muscoot by lyman kipp
Muscoot by Lyman Kipp

Proper Handling of Permanent Collection and Loaned Artwork

Artwork in the permanent collection, and work received for display in the Center Art Gallery must be handled properly.

•cotton or nitrile gloves are used to protect the artwork from natural oils on hands
•only one object is moved at a time
•loaned artwork is unpacked and immediately inspected
•the condition of each object is recorded in the condition report book

(All work pictured is from the Smithsonian travelling exhibition, Robert Rauschenberg, Artist-Citizen: Posters for a Better World.)

Click an image of Gallery Assistant Bob Bosscher to see a larger version.
click to enlarge, unpacking crate
unpacking crate
click to enlarge, examining artwork
examining artwork
click to enlarge, condition reporting
condition reporting


Recent Conservation of Permanent Collection Works
(all work performed by Barry Bauman)

annonymous woman, before treatment
Annonymous Woman - before

temptation of Saint Anthony, before treatment
Temptation of Saint Anthony - before

Artz, Dutch interior, before treatment
Artz, Dutch Interior - before

annonymous woman, after treatment
Annonymous Woman - after

temptation of Saint Anthony, after treatment
Temptation of Saint Anthony - after

Artz, Dutch interior, after treatment
Artz, Dutch Interior - after

For more information on Calvin College's permanent collection and to inquire about donating artwork to the collection, please contact the staff at the Center Art Gallery.