A majority of the money will be used to fund up to four major library exhibitions over a five-year period; the remaining $250,000 is earmarked for acquisitions and smaller displays, American Art Department Curator Jessica Todd Smith said in the February 7 Pasadena Star-News. The gift is seen as a boon to the department, which previously had to mount fundraising efforts for each exhibit.
Martin—considered to be a serious art collector whose acquisitions have included works by Roy Lichtenstein, Pablo Picasso, Edward Hopper, and Georges Seurat—has loaned paintings to the Huntington from his own collection. He also funded the library’s acquisition of a sculpture by John Gregory.
“It’s extremely rewarding to have someone outside of the core group of supporters understand what we’re doing and see how they can help and really make a difference,” Todd Smith said.
Posted February 11, 2005.