Sunday posed a bit bittersweet moment. I’ve had a Carder Steuben exhibit all summer at the University of Southern Indiana in Evansville, Indiana (“USI”). http://www.usi.edu/ (In earlier Gazette’s we shared images of that show) Sunday was the final day of the exhibit in their art galleries and a reception of celebration was held.

Of course discussion about the collection ensued and discussion flowed about the extensive art program at USI, how much they loved the works of Frederick Carder and their particular interest in the decorative arts since they have a discrete facility and considerable number of students enrolled in a ceramics program. Well, one thing led to another and in the course of the discussion we talked about how we have some time ago talked in the Gazette about the difficulty in finding places to gift or leave three dimensional items (e.g. art glass) to a place that has space to display it and appreciate it and will preserve it. Well, I struck the right button. Michael Aakhus, the current dean of the Liberal Arts School and also a professors of Art lit up. I was shortly escorted upstairs into their new Liberal Arts building and shown the cases they have to house art objects. Not only did I see the one case pictured in the attachment, but Michael pointed out they have six cases and room for more. Their buildings are being built to showcase art objects. Their goal is to spread art and its appreciation not only in the Liberal Arts building, but throughout campus buildings so that USI students will be exposed to and appreciate the arts. And what I saw was not only these cabinets, but the walls filled with many canvases. If anyone has an interest in filling a cabinet or cabinets with any Carder Steuben glass, it then can become the fulcrum for exposing art students to the works of Frederick Carder, which the University art faculty has come to appreciate. Here are some of Michael’s comments.

It was great to see you yesterday and again thank you for sharing your collection. It has been an outstanding exhibition and enjoyed by many. The works are truly remarkable and we will be sad to see them go. They seem like friends. I have also attached photos of the cases in the Liberal Arts Building and we have 6 of them. Four on the second floor and two on the ground floor. My vision is to use them to present collections of ceramic and glass arts for our students, faculty and friends of the university to study and enjoy. Any assistance that you may be able to provide in letting individuals know of our desire to obtain works for the University Collection would be greatly appreciated. Again may thanks and best wishes.

Michael Aakhus, Interim Dean
College of Liberal Arts
University of Southern Indiana
Evansville, IN 47712
Phone: 812/464-1853
E-mail: maakhus@usi.edu

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