U of R gets amazing gift of art from Shumiatcher collection

Jacqui Shumiatcher, a long-time supporter of the arts and education in the community, has donated 1,310 pieces of art to the University of Regina.

Valued at around $3 million, the donation was made from works collected by Shumiatcher and her late husband Morris Shumiatcher over several decades.

"The Shumiatchers have been strong supporters of the University of Regina for many years," Vianne Timmons, president of the U of R, said Thursday during a formal event to note the donation.

"I'm very happy the university has accepted the donation," Shumiatcher said, noting her passion for art and artists.

"With our long involvement with the university, it seemed not only fitting but in lots of ways a relief to know that the art my husband and I collected over the years would be going into a wonderful home," she added.

Works by 'Regina Five' included

The donated works include precious Inuit sculptures and notable paintings by many Saskatchewan artists, including examples by the renowned "Regina Five".

The university said the donation will help invigorate their plans for the renewal of buildings on College Avenue. Thursday's event took place in Darke Hall, on College Avenue.

"We're very close to the $10 million dollar goal [for the College Avenue Renewal Project] and this collection helps us," Timmons said. "But we would like to get the $10 million in cash, so we are still working hard for it."

According to the U of R, a number of the donated works will join a collection that is used for educational purposes. Items in that collection are also exhibited, regularly, on campus.

Thursday's gift builds on a 2013 Shumiatcher donation of $250,000 to the U of R for the College Avenue renewal project.

That project includes plans for a dedicated exhibit area for art. The university said that space will house a rotating exhibit of works.

The MacKenzie Art Gallery will also play a role in the stewardship of some of the donated items. The Shumiatchers were among the key people in Regina behind the creation of the MacKenzie as a gallery space, initially on College Avenue.

Renewal project for College Avenue

According to a 2011 Master Plan, prepared for the university, the College Avenue buildings are considered valuable heritage assets of the U of R but are in danger of falling into disrepair.

"The viability of the heritage buildings comprising the College Avenue Campus of the University of Regina will be
threatened in the long term and a maintenance debt will continue to build if the buildings are not revitalized soon," the report noted.

The College Building was built in 1911-1912 and the additions of a tower and Conservatory Building took place from 1914 to 1916. Darke Hall was erected in 1929.