Eskimo Art in a Community College Library

Abstract

THE MARK OsTERLIN LIBRARY at North­ western Michigan College has literally translated Ars gratia artis into an active program of presenting original art to its academic and civic communities. It all began when an enterprising Chicago ex­ ecutive donated a rare collection of Eski­ mo carvings to be sold for benefit of college library. The library, with assistance of a committee of art-conscious citizens, then organized an Eskimo art exhibit and sale. The donated carvings were enhanced with stonecut and sealskin stencil prints from Cape Dorset, Baffin Island, Canada. Enough money was re­ alized from 'the sale to subsidize a year­ round art exhibit program in library. In fact, event was so successful that Eskimo art exhibit and sale has now become an annual summer event. Fur­ thermore, Mark Osterlin library has become one of few authorized outlets for Eskimo art in America. The proceeds from sale. are placed' by library in a separate account la­ beled the Eskimo art The bene­ fits of this fund are manifold. The most gratifying service provided, of course, is a year-round program of original art ex­ hibits in library. A different art show is presented each month. The exhibitions shown have ranged from African Sculp­ ture, loaned by Segy Gallery in New York, to Painters of Western World, from permanent collection of International Business Machines Cor­ poration. Cost of rental, shipping, and insurance is covered by Eskimo art fund.