Gift of artwork offers window into Soviet era

Last year, Carthage received a major donation of fine art depicting scenes and themes from areas under Soviet rule in the 20th century. In total, Carthage acquired 131 pieces worth $3.8 million.

Sam and Berry Shoen, longtime supporters of the arts, donated the largest portion of the collection, which includes oil paintings and drawings from Armenia, Belarus, Russia, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan.

Twenty-eight of those works served as the centerpiece for “Beauty in Expression,” a visual and performing arts symposium held on campus earlier this year. The community symposium will return in 2024 for a deeper exploration from Jan. 18 to 20.

The “Milestones” exhibition at the H.F. Johnson Gallery of Art provided the first public glimpse of the collection. More selected works can be viewed beginning Dec. 1 during the gallery’s next Soviet art exhibition, “Beauty Will Save the World.”

A visiting scholar will help to develop other related programming. Carthage appointed Leslie Brothers, an experienced arts administrator and educator, to the SC Johnson Distinguished Visiting Professorship for 2023-24.

“Our hope is that this artwork can set the table for creative thinking and robust conversations,” said Professor Corinne Ness, dean for the Division of Arts and Humanities.

Mr. Shoen’s friend Raymond Johnson ’60, a prominent art dealer, facilitated the connection with the College. Two of Mr. Johnson’s clients, Eric Lorentzen and Bob Lavinia, donated additional pieces to Carthage. While he understands the anti-Russian sentiment that has resurfaced in the United States since last year’s invasion of Ukraine, Sam Shoen views this as an ideal teaching moment.

“It’s important for people to understand art in the context it’s created,” he said. “Even under the most oppressive regimes, beauty is created by talented people.”

Carthage also received significant funding from the David A. Straz Jr. Foundation. Two gifts totaling $55,000 support the housing and preservation of the artwork, as well as scholarly engagement with it.