Ethno art alive at GSU

The Art History department at Governors State University has had a long hidden secret. That secret has grown into a full Ethno art teaching collection, thanks to Dr. Arthur Bourgeois. Mike Chandler is currently filming the treasures of GSU's prized collection.

Dr. Bourgeois started collecting artifacts over 30 years ago to show his students how the art of various people in foreign places looked. Chandler
says that he is amazed by the collection featuring African art of the Lobi, Hemba, Yaka, Yoruba, Baoule and many more. He recently shared his
enthusiasm with a friend at Clarion University and was invited to share a sampling of the Ethno Art Collection on film.

The Ethnographic collection also has works from Mexico, Papua New Guinea and the Oceanic region. Dr. Michelle Niguesen of GSU's Library has been a valuable resource and is a native Baoulian of the Ivory Coast. Thus far this project has been a collaborative effort between the Art History department, Independent Film studies, library and Gallery staff. By spending time and talking with Dr. Bourgeois it's easy to see just how much he loves the teaching art collection treasures.

Chandler plans to complete the Ethno Art Teaching Collection project in the spring. There are also plans to showcase part of the collection in an exhibit by gallery director Jeff Stevenson.