Red Deer College visual art students won’t have to look far for inspiration.
Globally renowned artists Les Graff and Jacqueline Stehelin recently donated two bodies of artistic work valued at $286,000 to the college.
The work comprises 169 pieces of art that will become a part of the Red Deer College permanent collection – bringing the total amount of pieces in the collection to 800.
The art pieces were carefully chosen by Graff and the college’s visual arts faculty specifically for their teaching potential.
“Much of the work donated provides examples of process — how ideas in art develop, change and become resolved. This we thought would assist art students in training,” said Graff in a press release.
The college celebrated the generous donation from the Central Alberta couple at RDC’s Margaret Parson’s Theatre on Tuesday night.
Graff has been a full-time artist for over 50 years.
His genre of landscape art with abstract tones has been featured around the world in solo and group exhibitions, museums and galleries.
Graff’s wife Stehelin, a figurative artist, finds inspiration from subjects within her surroundings.
Her work has been featured at Scott Gallery in Edmonton and Virginia Christopher Fine Art in Calgary, with various exhibitions throughout Western Canada.
“The bodies of work are highly respected. Having the opportunity for our students to access this collection further strengthens visual art at RDC and ensures a wonderful body of work remains for the benefit of Central Alberta,” said Michael Donlevy, vice-president community relations with RDC.