Art donation helps College Avenue Campus Renewal project

Posted: September 25, 2014 4:15 p.m.

(L to R) Dr. Vianne Timmons, University of Regina president and vice-chancellor with Dr. Jacqui Shumiatcher.  Shumiatcher has donated more than 1,000 pieces of art from her personal collection toward the College Avenue Campus renewal project.
(L to R) Dr. Vianne Timmons, University of Regina president and vice-chancellor with Dr. Jacqui Shumiatcher. Shumiatcher has donated more than 1,000 pieces of art from her personal collection toward the College Avenue Campus renewal project. Photo: U of R Photography

Two passions of Dr. Jacqui Shumiatcher are the University of Regina and her collection of art.  These two passions merged recently when Dr. Shumiatcher donated to the University more than 1,000 works of art collected over the past several decades by her and her late husband, Dr. Morris Shumiatcher.  

The Shumiatchers’ longstanding connection to the College Avenue campus, and, as such, the works, which have an estimated value of up to $3 million, have been earmarked toward Building Knowledge – The College Avenue Campus Renewal Project.  

“The Shumiatchers have been strong supporters of the University of Regina for many years, and have played a tremendous role in the cultural life of our province,” said University President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Vianne Timmons. “It is fitting, then, that this gift of the art that they so carefully and lovingly collected is more than simply a contribution to the University. It is a gift to everyone in Saskatchewan, because it is a way of preserving and promoting a significant portion of our provincial and national artistic heritage for future generations.”

A portion of the donated works will become part of the University of Regina’s President’s Art Collection. Like the existing parts of that collection, they will be used for educational purposes and exhibited regularly on campus. As part of the College Avenue campus revitalization, a dedicated area will be created to house a rotating exhibit of works. Approximately 300 Inuit works will form the University of Regina Shumiatcher Inuit Art Collection, and will be stewarded on the University’s behalf by the MacKenzie Art Gallery.
 
“The art that my husband and I collected over the years will be going to a wonderful new home and family,” said Dr. Jacqui Shumiatcher. “It will not only be seen, but appreciated, by the many future generations who choose to attend the University of Regina.”

Dr. Jacqui and Dr. Morris Shumiatcher’s contributions to the University of Regina over the years have been extensive. They include the “Shu-Box Theatre,” as well as the Dr. Morris Shumiatcher Graduate Scholarship in English and the Rose Jeanne Souillart Clay and Pierre P. F. Clay Scholarship in French. In 2013, Dr. Jacqui Shumiatcher contributed $250,000 to Building Knowledge: The College Avenue Campus Revitalization Project.  

Jacqui Shumiatcher was awarded an honorary degree from the University of Regina in 2002.

Building Knowledge – The College Avenue Campus Renewal Project is the University of Regina’s number one capital fundraising priority.  Through the initiative, the College Avenue campus will be transformed into a vibrant, accessible centre of learning, strengthening the University’s connection to the community and further contributing to the education of the next century of learners and leaders. The campus will be known as the University of Regina Leadership and Outreach Centre (LOC).

The College Avenue campus is home to the Centre for Continuing Education, Conservatory of Performing Arts, Darke Hall, Johnson-Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy and the Lifelong Learning Centre.

Revised Sept. 26, 2014