David Conrad '85 Donates His Art Collection Valued at $300,000 to
5/1/2009
David Conrad '85 recently donated his art collection valued at $300,000 to Kiski providing greater access to the arts, not only for the Kiski students and community, but for the entire region. David is an avid art collector who believes in sharing his artwork and deems the School a perfect place to house his collection.
His collection is comprised of photography, paintings, prints and several sculptures. Nearly 90 percent of the artists represented in the collection were born, lived or currently reside in western Pennsylvania including painters: Robert Qualters, Ron Donoughe, Colin Noonan, John Sokol, Kevin Kutz-a 1973 Kiski graduate- and Italian-born, Florentine artist, Fabrizio Gerbino now residing in Stowe Township, and nationally acclaimed documentary photographer, Charlee Brodsky, whose Homestead Collection is also part of David's gift.
In addition to western Pennsylvania artists, the remaining ten percent of the collection consists of various artists including David Dawson, Contemporary English Photographer (one of two men to have ever photographed the painter Lucien Freud at work.) The shots in the collection are the only single versions taken from a 20 image retrospective catalogue in the US. Edouard Vuillard, 19th century French painter whose paintings depicted mostly interiors, streets and gardens, and Jim Dine, 19-20th Century American Master painter whose work is in the permanent collections of museums around the world.
David’s collection-151 pieces of artwork- are strategically placed throughout campus buildings including: Kiski’s new Swank Student Center, The John A. Pidgeon Library, the Old Main Administration Building, Heath S. Clark Hall, the E. William Turley Dining Hall, Rogers Fine Arts Center, and the J.L. Marks Fieldhouse.
Headmaster Christopher Brueningsen said, "Kiski is so very fortunate to be the recipient of this remarkable collection. The pieces are so rich and varied - there's something for everyone. Our students and teachers have reacted very positively to the artwork Dave donated. He has been such a great friend to Kiski and we all remain most grateful for his generosity and thoughtfulness."
David said, “Lowell Boyers, a New York City painter, a Yale Prize Winner, a 1984 Kiski graduate and a good friend of mine, heightened my interest in art, art history and museums when we were at Kiski together, but I didn’t began collecting until about ten years ago. The first pieces I purchased were photographs of Pittsburgh. Then I started collecting paintings, prints and drawings, many depicting western Pa. and its people and this went on for awhile until one day it dawned on me - I could build a mansion and there wouldn’t be enough space to hang it all. Other people should see it. What better place than Kiski? The boys there get exposed to all types of art, they get used to it in their daily lives, and maybe a few of them choose it as career path. My way of giving back.”
Kim Conover-Loar, Chair, Kiski Fine Arts Department says, “By making this wide variety of art accessible to the students, David is providing the opportunity for art encounters. As students become aware of the work that is spread throughout the campus, they can draw their own conclusions about why a particular painting touches or moves them, or even why it doesn’t. I look forward to using the collection with my Art History students. The more time spent around art, the more rewarding the act of encountering art becomes.” G.K. Andrew Scott, Kiski’s Fine Arts teacher and a 1985 Kiski graduate adds, “Providing background and historical context of western Pennsylvania’s artists and their work is very beneficial to our students. Art tells a story, it promotes conversations, creative thinking, and can inspire young artists. At Kiski, each student must take at least two years of art electives in each of the three disciplines: Music, Art and Theatre. The Fine Arts program goal is to develop young men who are familiar with the historical backgrounds of the arts, who have gained some hands-on experience in each of the disciplines, and who will use that knowledge and experience to build a life-long respect for and enjoyment of the arts. The Fine Arts Department will benefit tremendously from David’s generosity. It will unfold so many learning opportunities.”
Currently an extensive catalogue is being produced, both in book and online formats. The interactive online site will be available to assist students in studying the artwork and artists. Phone-in docent technology will be available by the end of summer 2009. This technology allows visitors to call a special number using their own cell phone, and then enter the item number adjacent to a specific piece of art to hear a description. Visitors can listen to descriptions in any order, remain connected throughout their visit, or disconnect and call back as desired. A walking tour to view the collection is also being developed but is not currently available.
In addition to his art collection gift, he and fellow Kiski graduate, Kristofer Rockwell, class of 1990, will financially support Will’s Gift an annual cash award that will be given to a local artist and in turn the artist’s work will be placed and remain at the School. David said, “It is our goal to assist-in a small way- to the vibrancy of Pittsburgh’s creative community and increase and develop Kiski’s strong collection in the visual arts. We hope the campus will be an archive and a teaching center, and a living and virtual gallery of the region’s finest work.”
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