Artwork on campus plays a large role in the Arboretum by drawing attention to the surrounding landscape. Since the early 1970's, the University Visual Arts Committee had installed sculptures to promote cultural awareness on campus. The resulting scenery attracts students, faculty, and visitors alike to these locations. Pickett Memorial Park, where many of these sculptures reside, is a creative demonstration of how the use of art in the landscape enhances the Purdue Arboretum experience. The Agriculture Mall is home to its very own thought-provoking piece of art, Transformation, which towers high above students as they walk to class.
The Lonsford Collection is an on-going permanent series of sculptures, paintings and other major art pieces that are acquired through the Lonsford fund. The fund was established through the generous gift of Florence H. Lonsford, a former Purdue graduate and artist who desired “to support the acquisition of art objects in the Department of Visual and Performing Arts” at Purdue University. Mrs. Lonsford particularly wanted to place art works in spaces where students could gain an understanding and appreciation of their beauty, meaning and significance.
Purdue Galleries offer a variety of art forms and exhibits throughout the year, featuring artwork from regional, national, and international artists as well as the Galleries permanent collection. These exhibits rotate several times over the course of the year. Purdue Galleries currently encompasses the Robert L. Ringel Gallery in Stewart Center and the Patti and Rusty Rueff Galleries in Pao Hall.
