Art Collections
Plemmons Student Union Permanent Art Collections
Visual Catalog:
Appalachian Artists Collection
AAC is the largest and oldest of the three collections housed in the Plemmons Student Union. The AAC was the vision of Dave Robertson who knew that great student unions need great art representing the talent of the students and faculty of the University. In 1987, Dave set aside funds from the Student Union fee to purchase the first piece of art for display in the PSU. Tamara Nesbitt was commissioned to produce “Bedouin Weaving” the first piece in the new AAC. Beginning in 1988 and every year since, the PSU Art Committee has selected purchase awards at the Art Department’s annual Art Expo. A limited number of faculty works have also been acquired over the years. The art acquisitions, maintenance and upkeep are totally funded by the student union’s commissions from the semi-annual poster sale.
Leigh Lane Edwards Collection of Contemporary Art
Named for a beloved former student and PSU Looking Glass Gallery curator who passed away prematurely while a student at ASU. This collection is comprised of 26 works of art chosen from 502 submissions in a national purchase awards competition in 1996 to commemorate the new addition and renovation to the Plemmons Student Union. Fifty finalists were chosen by Belina Chapp, a Juror from the University of Delaware. A committee of students, art faculty, Chancellor Borkowski and PSU administrators selected the 28 pieces which hang in the building today. The Leigh Lane Edwards collection represents some of the best of modern American art done by up-and-coming visual artists from around the country.
The meeting rooms and lounges in the PSU are named for prominent natural places and features of the North Carolina mountains. At the door to each lounge area or room hangs a picture of that unique feature of the mountains to help students and visitors gain a greater awareness of the dramatic beauty and splendor of our region which is so intertwined with Appalachian’s identity. These commissioned photographs are the work of Michael Siede, a former member of the faculty and accomplished nature photographer.
Text Catalog:
Appalachian Artists Collection
Leigh Lane Edwards Collection of Contemporary Art
(These lists are in Microsoft Word Format)
