Wesleyan’s extensive collection of fine paintings, prints, furniture, and objects – donated by alumnae, foundations, and friends of the college – is among the most impressive in central Georgia. The collection includes three Kress Foundation gifts: Madonna and Child by the Late Renaissance Venetian painter Cima da Conegliano, and Adoration of the Magi and Adoration of the Shepherds by the Venetian Rococo painter Gaspare Diziani. Seascapes by Cowles Myles Collier form the core of a significant group of New England landscapes, recently enhanced through the gift of a pastoral painting by Hugh Bolton Jones. The print collection is highlighted by a portrait of General George Custer by Andy Warhol and a series of colorful abstract cats by the revolutionary Dutch artist Karel Appel. Among the furniture and objects are two rare English Regency chairs, a Chinese Chippendale chest, and two Satsuma vases. While many individual works stand out for their beauty or expressive power, the value of Wesleyan’s treasures lies in the strength of the collection as a whole – one that has great aesthetic and educational importance to students, scholars, and art enthusiasts.

The Conservation and Restoration Program

Wesleyan has established a program to conserve and restore our significant works of art, furniture, and precious objects. Our aim is to preserve their aesthetic and monetary value for the future of the college.

Conservancy is the top priority. The first order of business is to ensure the safety and stability of the entire collection. This includes improvements in storage and display areas and minor repairs to paintings, such as re-stretching and cleaning canvases. Restoration is also important and is a long-term effort. This covers more extensive repair work, such as remounting canvases and treating mold on paper.

Individuals and groups have contributed greatly to restoration projects, helping to preserve some of our most beautiful artwork. A series of exhibits mounted at the beginning of each spring semester in the Cowles Myles Collier East and West Galleries helps bring attention to our valuable collection and raises funds to continue the conservation and restoration of artwork.

The "Adopt-A-Painting" program allows appreciators of art and friends of the college to contribute to the conservation of the collection by "adopting" it for restoration. An expert has examined 147 paintings and has provided us with estimates for repair ranging from $1,200 to $6,000, depending on the extent of the damage and the work involved in the restoration. For example, the Collier painting, On the Beach, suffered from large cracks and loss of paint in the center of the canvas. This painting was "adopted" and restoration has prevented further losses of the paint surface.

How to Make a Gift

Your tax deductible donation can be made in the form of a check payable to Wesleyan College and designated for Art Restoration or Adopt-A-Painting. Gifts of stock or other appreciated assets are also suitable for this purpose and offer special tax benefits. Please contact the Office of Institutional Advancement at  (478) 757-5131 for additional information. Thank you for investing in the preservation of these special Wesleyan treasures.