How does a gift of art further benefit the Jesuit mission of the University?
There is a long Jesuit tradition of finding God in all things, especially in art. In 1845, Pierre-Jean De Smet, S.J., brought a gift of 51 old master paintings to the University from Belgium, creating the first art collection at SLU and in St. Louis. Gifts of art differ from other gifts usually offered to our university. Using these works, our professors can teach about movements and styles, and our students can cement these ideas by a personal examination of the work. At their core, our museums and galleries help further the University’s goals of supporting, preserving and promoting learning.

What is an example of a gift that has been donated to SLU’s collections?
In the fall semester, the Saint Louis University Museum of Art is displaying a collection of presidential campaign memorabilia donated by SLU graduate, U.I. “Chick” Harris (Cook
’51). More than 700 artifacts make up the gift and include an ale tankard bearing President Washington’s image used at an inaugural celebration in 1789 as well as hand-tinted candidate lithographs produced by Currier & Ives, one of only three known complete sets.
We also agreed to keep the collection current, and a recent addition includes an infamous punch-card voting machine from Florida’s West Palm County, used — or misused — in the 2000 election between George W. Bush and Al Gore.

What do you have to consider when accepting a piece to the collection?
We consider how the proposed donation contributes to our mission and fits in with our collections. For example we have permanent collections of Jesuit artifacts, Asian decorative art, modern and contemporary paintings, prints and sculpture. You’ll find Old Master paintings in the Marquette Gallery and the historic Samuel Cupples House as well as historic furniture, glass and ceramics. The University stewards great things for our community, and we are always looking to deepen the collections. However, we are always ready to accept unique works that contribute to the intellectual life of the University community.

What are the benefits of donating a piece of art to SLU?
Most importantly, for people who are passionate about their collections, we can ensure that their gift will be held in trust for others to share. For example, our Eleanor Turshin glass collection exhibited at the Cupples House is a great story. Mrs. Turshin’s imagination was captured by the beauty of glass created by Steuben, Tiffany and other makers. She first loaned some of the nearly 1,000 pieces of her collection to former execuitve director of Cupples House Father Maurice McNamee, S.J., and later decided to donate her collection for display at the Cupples House, where the era of the mansion and the glass complement one another perfectly. Her passion now is shared with our entire community and is exhibited so that anyone can enjoy what she cherished. Of course, there are also the financial benefits of making a charitable donation that will ensure income tax savings for the donor.

How do these gifts set SLU apart from other institutions?
Gifts of art bring new opportunities for learning to our University community. The museums and galleries support the continued exchange of ideas, create exhibitions that examine the meaning of culture and interpretation, while promoting the University as a center for intellectual inquiry to a city and world far beyond our campus boundaries. Great universities possess and exhibit significant collections of art and culture.

For additional information about making a gift of art to Saint Louis University, please contact David Suwalsky, S.J., at (314) 977-3022 or by e-mail at suwalsky@slu.edu. If you have questions concerning estate planning or tax implication issues pertaining to a gift of art, please contact Kent LeVan (Cook ’87, Grad Cook ’97), executive director of planned giving, at (314) 977-2357 or at plannedgiving@slu.edu.