Meyers Gallery Current Exhibit

Closing Reception: Thursday April 10th, 5-7pm

The DAAP Galleries in collaboration with the University of Cincinnati Art Collection (UCAC) are pleased to present a selection of recently acquired works. These works have been generously donated by artists and collectors throughout the region and beyond. Many of these donors have close ties to the university, having attended as students, taught as faculty, or both.

The UCAC’s origins can be traced back to the university’s formative years and the thriving community of artists and philanthropists. Founded upon the generosity of university friends, the majority of the art collection is composed of works gifted by local and regional artists and collectors. A portion of the acquired commissioned works can be credited to Herman Schneider’s initiatives (UC President 1929–32).  In recent years, most of the

works commissioned or purchased were financed through the Ohio Percent for Art program and represent a substantial part of the public art collection, which is principally comprised of large-scale outdoor artworks visible throughout UC’s campuses. 

Until recently, the UCAC’s primary function has been for the beautification and enlivenment of the campus environment, in the hope it would encourage art appreciation. Presently, more than 2500 works are on loan, displayed in 60+ buildings throughout East and West Campuses, as well as Clermont College and UC Blue Ash. Additional works are on loan to notable institutions such as the Cincinnati Art Museum, Taft Museum, and Cincinnati Observatory.

In 2020, the UC Art Collection, Galleries, and Museum Studies were unified under the UCAC to utilize the collection for teaching, research, and immersive learning through co-op positions. In less than 5 years, this initiative has resulted in the production of four exhibitions, three distinct research projects, educational tours of the collection’s facility, and intimate access to artworks for classroom lectures, as well as the emersion of 20+ co-op students within the UCAC and DAAP Galleries’ operations. In result of these efforts a multi college authored book about the UCAC will be released early fall of 2025. This publication will examine the history, strengths, and the utilization of the UCAC.

Recent initiatives to expand the collection’s application have led to new acquisition efforts to build upon the already formidable holdings of 5000+ works of art, craft and design. This exhibition highlights some of the more recent gifts accepted into the UCAC.

We present these works for your enjoyment and deeply thank the artists and collectors for their generous support to the UC Art Collection::

Dr. Allen Bernard, Denise Burge, James F. Dicke II, Gary Gaffney, Joe Girandola, Peter Huttinger, Meighen Jackson, Cynthia Lockhart, The Martin Family, Dr. Paul E. Potter, Abby & David Schwartz, Jim Sims, & the Academy in Exile, T.U. Dortmund

Curators:: Aaron Cowan & Allyson Coffren