As director, Fr. Iain’s goal is to serve the college’s teaching mission: “to craft a distinctive vision that matches the vision of the college, yet at the same time develop something new; test the waters, break barriers.” It’s the premise behind the choice of each exhibit, and the reason for the many concerts, readings, receptions, and lectures held in the gallery.

True to the college’s liberal arts focus, many faculty members outside the fine arts department bring classes to the gallery. Modern languages instructor Robert Perreault brought his French conversation groups (60 students) to the Wade Schuman exhibit, combining an art experience with opportunities for dialogue. Students in journalism and public speaking classes attended a recent lecture called “The Art of the Qashqa’i: A First-Hand Account,” about the tribal rugs of Southern Iran. The gallery serves the off-campus community as well, drawing area residents and art classes.

The center’s educational mission also guides Fr. Iain’s curating of the permanent collection. Among its 150-plus items are modern European and American paintings, etchings and prints, Shaker boxes, and African masks, as well as a 2,000-B.C. amphora jug. Its most visible piece is the gallery’s decorative ceiling, painted in 1930; it also includes works on the walls of several administrative offices. Most of the  collection resides in the oak-enclosed balcony space that once housed the chapel’s organ, and much of the work seldom makes it into public view. This winter’s exhibit, January 28–March 5, offers a look at selected pieces, including works by Elizabeth Grandin, Jacques Callot, Charles Woodbury, and John Whorf.

“We have a national academic program at the forefront of our mission; our collection should reflect that,” Fr. Iain says. As he does for each exhibit, he has a vision for the permanent collection. “There are lots of things we need; right now we have mostly 20th century art and we’re working toward expansion,” he says. Cataloging the permanent collection is one of Martha Sawyer’s ongoing projects. Each item must be dated, described, evaluated, and photographed. Ideally, anyone could locate, view and learn about an item in the collection by going online. The technology for this is on the gallery’s wish list.  

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