Seattle philanthropist Marian E. Smith believes that the visual arts should be part of every Washington State University student’s experience. Her gift of a notable collection of late 20th century glass works by artists associated with Washington’s Pilchuck Glass School is intended to expose WSU’s student body to exceptional artworks as an integral part of their education.
The collection includes a blown glass cactus by New Mexico artist Flo Perkins, Charlie Parriott’s “Study for the Tin Man,” a vase by Sonja Blomdahl, Richard Royal’s “Tree & Bird,” Stephen Powell’s “Lemon Jazz Cheeks,” and “Desert Orange Basket Set with Hydrangea Blue Lip Wraps” by Tacoma’s Dale Chihuly.
The Pilchuck school was founded in 1971 by Chihuly and others. It is located in Stanwood, about one hour north of Seattle.
Students in WSU’s interior design program are creating suitable display cases for the glass pieces, which will be installed in the Smith Center for Undergraduate Education building.
“This gift creates a unique cultural resource that students can experience firsthand — supporting and enhancing the world-class educational experience WSU,” said President V. Lane Rawlins.
Smith believes that pieces of quality art placed in locations used by WSU students on a regular basis will both enhance their understanding of art and add to their overall intellectual abilities.
“Art allows us to gain insight into human values, historical events, and how individuals wish to be understood by others,” she said. “This power to educate is reflected in the key role art and art history play alongside literature as the basis of a liberal arts education.”
“Marian Smith has provided a new, proactive model of patronage to the arts at WSU,” said WSU Museum of Art Director Chris Bruce. “This gift puts art where it will be encountered as part of everyday life. By focusing on Pilchuck glass, it represents one of the most significant artistic developments in Northwest history; and by establishing an endowment, it assures ongoing educational programming around the art. We are truly grateful for her vision.”
Smith’s exemplary generosity to WSU includes creation of the Marian E. Smith Presidential Endowed Chair, held by management information systems professor Joe Valacich, and the establishment of the Marian E. Smith Faculty Achievement Award, given annually to recognize significant and meritorious achievement in teaching during the previous academic year. The 2004 award is going to Richard Zack, professor of entomology.
