Emerging-Artists Patron Gifts Collection to University

The late Stanley Hollander, who developed a unique space in Downtown Los Angeles to support and publicize artists, has donated pieces from his private collection to Claremont Graduate University, where they will be used in similar fashion to engage and inspire the university’s MFA students.

An opening reception will be held Saturday, January 28, from 2 to 4 p.m., at the university’s East and Peggy Phelps Galleries. The reception is free and open to the public.

An important condition of the Hollander gift is that the pieces serve as a “working collection”—students will be able to study the works in detail, from brushstrokes to the textures of the canvas or board, as they develop their own creative voices.

Such exposure is critical for a young artist, according to CGU art critic and Professor David Pagel.

“Having these paintings and sculptures on display 24/7 is so important for us,” Pagel said. “There is nothing like seeing art in the flesh—up close and in person. You can’t do that by studying artworks online, and it is difficult to take time out of your day to travel to a museum. We are thrilled that the Hollanders have provided us with this special opportunity.”

Seventeen pieces of art were gifted to the university by Hollander, who died last May. The university worked with his family on the transfer of the works, which was completed in December 2016.

In 2014, Hollander established the Hooper Projects—a 14,000-square-foot studio space—to nurture artists in a dynamic atmosphere. “This place is special,” Hollander said of the Hooper Projects. “No lines at a gallery, no need to buy anything—all you need to do is see great artists grow, give them as much help as possible, and just enjoy yourself.”

That same vision aligns with his CGU gift of artworks, which embody many exciting styles and approaches. Among the artists represented in the Hollander’s gift are London-born contemporary artist Martin Maloney, known for his expressionistic style and strong colors; Matthew Greene, whose work draws on cinematic, hallucinatory elements and the symbolism of the occult; and Vicky Wright, who has achieved renowned in her native United Kingdom with “reversed paintings” on panels and crates that present us with hidden, unexpected stories.

Visit CGU’s official YouTube channel to watch a video of the Hollander Collection on its way to the university, and explore CGU’s MFA program page for more information on art at CGU.