UNF supports iconic “American Made” art collection
Three members of the University of North Florida community have collaborated in presenting “American Made,” a comprehensive collection of American art from the late 18th century to the present day.
Dr. Elizabeth Heuer, an alum and associate professor of art and design at UNF, served as the principal author of an illustrated book with context and historical notes about the collection, titled “American Made: Paintings and Sculpture from the DeMell Jacobsen Collection.” UNF alumni working at the DeMell Jacobsen Foundation, Heidi Smith, chief administrative officer, and Joan Oklevitch, program director, are using their expertise to assist the museums with organizing and promoting the exhibit tour throughout the country. The traveling exhibition, “American Made,” was curated by The Mint Museum in Charlotte, North Carolina along with the Dixon Gallery and Gardens in Memphis, Tennessee.
The exhibit was collected by the DeMell Jacobsen Foundation after Diane DeMell Jacobsen, Ph.D. promised her dying husband Tom that she would fulfill his wishes to create an American art collection that is transformative. The collection is comprised entirely of American art and amplifies pieces from diverse artists.
"American Made” is currently on display at the Cummer Museum for the first time after most of the artwork has been displayed at national locations such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Philadelphia Museum of Art and Smithsonian American Art Museum.
This assortment of artwork captures the essence of American heritage, offering a unique lens into the development of art in the United States. The collection highlights American artistic progress and delves into the experiences of American artists in Europe, as many sought training and support on foreign shores in the decades leading up to the 20th century.
The exhibit features over 100 pieces by artists including Thomas Cole, John Kensett, Asher B. Durand, William Trost Richards, Theodore Robinson, Childe Hassam, Willard Leroy Metcalf and William Merritt Chase. The exhibition runs until Sunday, Sept. 24, at the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens, and will continue to the San Antonio Museum of Art and then the Huntsville Museum of Art.
Learn more by viewing the Cummer Museum webpage.