Pieces within a remarkable collection of one artist’s work that has been gifted to UW Oshkosh by the Kohler Foundation Inc. are now on display in Reeve Memorial Union’s Steinhilber Art Gallery.
The Shaffer Collection, an array of small sculptures, maquettes, paintings, drawings and historical papers, reflect a lifetime of work by sculptor O.V. (Verne) Shaffer have joined UW Oshkosh’s Permanent Collection. For decades to come, the collection will be exhibited throughout the campus and will be studied by students and faculty.
O. V. Shaffer continues to create and work in his studio, a converted barn in his hometown of Princeton, IL. For most of his career, Shaffer sculptured in the rural community of Clinton, WI. His artwork consists of steel and brass, welded or cast, and wood and cast concrete. Shaffer has exhibited throughout the Midwest with major commissions in Maine, Florida, Wisconsin, Utah and Illinois. He won the Governor’s Award in the Arts in Wisconsin in 1970. He was an early Arts/Industry artist in residence at Kohler Co., where he was allowed access to the foundry. Shaffer also taught at Beloit College.
The exhibit is now open and free to the campus community and public in Steinhilber Art Gallery. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the workweek, with additional hours from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday. The gallery is also open on Saturday and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.
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