The Cecelia Coker Bell Gallery will feature work from the Boden Collection

Above: A print by Giovanni Battista Piranesi

Coker College to Host Exhibit of Art Professor's Collection

HARTSVILLE - An exhibition of selections from the art collection of Coker College Professor of Art Jim Boden will open with a public reception on Monday, Oct. 17, from 7 to 8 p.m. in the Cecelia Coker Bell Gallery.  The exhibition continues through Nov. 11.

The show will include pieces from students and professional artists including Max Slevogt, Arnulf Rainer, Oskar Kokoschka, Christo, Franz von Stuck, William Kentridge, Giovanni Battista Piranesi and Sue Coe. 

“Boden's standards for purchasing art are exceptionally high, and the chance to present part of his collection, which is quite extensive, represents an exciting opportunity both for the gallery and for the community,” said Coker College Assistant Professor of Art and Gallery Director Larry Merriman.

A prolific painter, himself, last month Boden won first place for a submission at the 2011 Pee Dee Regional Art Competition. In 2001, he was awarded First Place in the Grand Prix International Drawing Biennale in Melbourne, Australia. Among other awards in the U.S., Boden has won First Place at StateWide, Florence Art Museum, Florence, S.C., and the First Place and Purchase Awards at Drawing From Perceptions - Biennial Drawing Exhibition, Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio.

Boden received his Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Cincinnati and a Bachelor of Science degree in art education from the University of Minnesota.

The Cecelia Coker Bell Gallery is located in the Gladys C. Fort Art Building on the Coker College campus. Gallery hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, while classes are in session.

Coker College upholds and defends the intellectual and artistic freedom of its faculty and students as they study and create art through which they explore the full spectrum of human experience. The college considers such pursuits central to the spirit of inquiry and thoughtful discussion, which are at the heart of a liberal arts education.