Brant Barnes' "Vases," 2006. Stoneware pottery; from left, 10½ x 5½ inches, 8¾ x 6 inches, 9¾ x 5 inches Museum purchase through the Jackson County Arts Council and the N.C. Arts Council, 2006.

Before the Fine Art Museum even opened in fall 2005, the nucleus of its permanent collection was already in place, thanks to the efforts of Robert Godfrey, former chair of the art department. Today, the collection has grown to more than 1,000 objects and is valued at approximately $2 million. “Worldviews,” an ongoing, rotating selection from the permanent collection remains on display at the museum.

A museum’s permanent collection is a means to distinguish itself from its peers by occupying a specific niche in the world of art. Western’s collection focuses on work since the 1930s, in a variety of media, by regional, national and international artists – color field artist Kenneth Noland, abstract expressionist Esteban Vicente and Edith Neff, a painter from the school of social realism, are among its best-known artists.

Themes within the collection include art of the region; contemporary American Indian art, including work by members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians; female artists who have worked steadily throughout their lives and made significant contributions to the world of American art; book arts, which incorporate printmaking, typesetting, papermaking, binding, sculptural elements and poetry and prose; and works on paper, which include prints, drawings and photographs. A recent gift from art giant Harvey K. Littleton and his wife, Bess, of hundreds of prints by different artists “greatly strengthens our work on paper collection,” said Martin DeWitt, museum founding director.

The art museum’s permanent collection has the primary function of education. It includes works by graduates, and is accessible to students, scholars and community members for research and study. “We are expanding the collection by means of modest purchases and generous gifts,” said DeWitt, who must also consider the resources required to house and protect the collection pieces. The museum is seeking accreditation by the American Association of Museums.