The Oklahoma State University Foundation announced a property gift bequeathed by Martha Reed, daughter of the late Doel Reed, for the establishment of the Doel Reed Center for the Arts, to be maintained by the OSU College of Arts and Sciences.
Doel Reed, the undisputed master of the aquatint, was recognized worldwide for his artistic genius and was a veteran faculty member at OSU credited for establishing and heading OSU’s art department after his arrival at the university in 1924. He spent 35 years at OSU before retiring to his second home in Taos, N.M. One of his works is pictured to the left.
The center consists of two century-old adobe homes on a one and a half acre lot along with Reed’s personal artist studio. Through Martha’s gift, OSU’s art department will inherit the property to benefit many areas.
Developed by the OSU art department, the multi-faceted approach for use of the property includes the establishment of a national/international artist and scholar residency program, a cross-disciplinary course to facilitate restoration of the property, a student internship program and a competitive faculty residency program.
Kent Young, campaign chairman for the Doel Reed Center for the Arts, is helping ensure the art department will be able to maintain the property so OSU students, faculty and constituents will be able to experience Reed’s artistic influence for years to come. The campaign goal is to secure $500,000 for an endowment to be used toward maintenance of the property including minor repairs and payment of utilities.
The campaign committee is calling on OSU alumni and art enthusiasts to help support the initiative by making gifts to the endowment fund. Young also believes the end result will provide OSU faculty and students with an unmatched opportunity to experience art in an inspired environment and to bring art prominence to OSU.
To make a donation to the Doel Reed Center for the Arts maintenance endowment, please contact Suzy Thompson at (405) 744-6469 or make a gift online at OSUgiving.com.
For more information on the OSU Foundation, log on to our Web site at www.osugiving.com or call (405) 385-5100.