Administration

Communications

George M. Irwin donates artwork to C-SC
Thursday, May 15, 2008

CANTON, Mo. – Culver-Stockton College has received 11 works of art from the collection of George M. Irwin, Quincy, Ill. The artwork is the third donation to the college from Irwin’s collection of 20th century American art since 1984, and will be put on permanent display at the college.

Irwin, a native of Quincy, founded the Quincy Little Symphony, which was later expanded and renamed as the Quincy Symphony Orchestra. He was its conductor from its founding in 1947 to 1964. Irwin also founded the Quincy Society of Fine Arts, the nation’s first community arts council, and served as its president for 30 years. In 1963 he was asked to oversee the launching of an arts council for the state of Illinois. A long time arts patron and supporter, he has received many local, state and national awards for his work in the arts. Irwin also served on the Culver-Stockton Board of Trustees from 1966 to 1981.

“We are very grateful to Mr. Irwin for his generosity,” said Thomas C. Polett, associate professor of music and chairperson of the C-SC Division of Fine Arts. “These works of art are an important source of motivation and inspiration for our art students. They will become a valuable part of our experience-based curriculum.”

The donation represents primarily Midwest artists working in various media, including painting, drawing, watercolor, etching and lithograph. Included in the collection are works by James Davis, Bob Evans, Richard Florsheim, Richard Hunt, Rockwell Kent, Daniel Long, Eugene Larkin, Ben Mahmoud, Robert Natkin, Will Petersen, and Gunar Strazdins.