History

In 1994 Gayle Shipley, Director of Environmental Health and Safety, brought up the idea at a meeting of the Business and Financial Affairs Management Group, which included retired Vice President George Pierce, other BFA Directors and Nancy Phillips, Assistant to the Vice President. Following discussion with Nancy Phillips, Linda Strock (retired), then Staff Employees Council representative, and Paul Brower, Western Gallery Preparator, Dr. Pierce then took the idea to then President Karen Morse, who wholeheartedly embraced the idea, and provided funding for materials to construct the art display panels needed to hang the first show on April 14, 1995.

As Shipley explains:
When Eileen Coughlin ( Vice President for Student Affairs and Academic Support Services ) first came to Western, she talked about her philosophy of student learning - how students learn within the framework of a campus community. She told us that students are enriched by everyone they encounter at a university. The university must strive to create an environment that honors experiences from all sources. I was extraordinarily taken with her ideas. At the time, the Art Department faculty and alumni were having exhibits, and student artists were participating in the 100th anniversary of Western, talking about how art had enhanced their lives. The Western community included talented staff members some of whom were artists in their own right. There is creativity and talent around campus that is generally hidden. My favorite thing [about the art show] is to see different facets of people I know.

Event Sponsors:
The annual show is sponsored by President Bruce Shepard, Western Washington University Foundation, Professional Staff Organization and Business and Financial Affairs.