The Founding Gifts: Harvey Dunn
In 1950, South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã native Harvey Dunn exhibited a selection of his paintings in De Smet, South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã, showcasing scenes of the state's homesteading era, along with portraits, and works from his distinguished career during the Golden Age of Illustration. Dunn donated most of these works to South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã State University, becoming the foundation of the South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã Art Museum's collection. This exhibition recreates Dunn's original 1950 display as closely as possible, complemented by archival materials that highlight his enduring impact.
The South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã Art Museum's Dunn Collection is significant in that it consists of prairie paintings that have become the pride of South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã. The museum was built specifically to house the Harvey Dunn Collection, which was given to the South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã State College (now the South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã State University) by the artist in 1950 and transferred to the museum in 1970.
As a unit of South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã State University, South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã Art Museum receives significant operational support from the university. Additional support is provided by the South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã Arts Council (with funds from the State of South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã, through the Department of Tourism and the National Endowment for the Arts) and museum members and donors.
