Spheres of Inspiration: DeVos Art Museum Permanent Collection

Over twenty-five years ago the DeVos Art Museum established a permanent art collection through gifts from generous donors such as Ralph and Ann Secord; Arthur Bennett; Everett and Elizabeth Losey and a number of regional artists. Since then the collection has grown to over 1,200 objects in a range of media and time periods. Some areas of the collection include 20th Century illustration; 20th Century design; art and artifacts from Japan, Inuit and Native American cultures and contemporary art from regional artists.

The museum welcomes over 10,000 visitors each year, including NMU students, faculty and staff; tourists on vacation; over 1,000 school children during docent-led tours; and our own Upper Peninsula community of artists. This exhibition explores how the museum’s collection inspires and educates our visitors. Four local artists, Linda King Ferguson, Diane Kordich, Michael Letts and Diana Magnuson were asked to select up to five pieces from the collection that inspire them. In addition, the artists were invited to display up to five of their own artworks alongside their selections.