University Galleries at the University of Florida (UF) is pleased to present UG @ 50: The University Gallery Henri Theil Collection in the Gary R. Libby Gallery located on UF’s campus Aug. 24 through Oct. 16, 2015. The dedication of the Gary R. Libby Gallery will take place Friday, Sept. 18, 2015 from 6-7 p.m. for invited gallery members. The public is invited to attend a reception for UG @ 50: The University Gallery Henri Theil Collection following the gallery dedication from 7-9 p.m. Concurrent receptions will occur in University Gallery and in Grinter Gallery.
The Henri Theil Collection is assembled from purchase awards from the College of the Arts’ annual student juried exhibition, and is funded through an endowment established in 1994 for University Gallery by Dr. and Mrs. Henri Theil. The Theil endowment is an important factor in the development of exhibitions for University Gallery. Each of the three University Galleries has been honored by a gift of this type that is specific to gallery functions, with the most recent being the Gary R. Libby endowment for this gallery, which was previously known as Focus Gallery.
Henri Theil was born in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, in 1924. He received his Ph.D. in economics from the University of Amsterdam in 1951, and in 1953 was appointed Professor of Econometrics at the Netherlands School of Economics in Rotterdam (now Erasmus University). Three years later, he founded the Econometric Institute in Rotterdam and served as its first director until 1966 when he accepted a joint appointment at the Graduate School of Business and Department of Economics at the University of Chicago.
In 1981, Theil was appointed to the McKethan-Matherly Eminent Chair in the graduate program of Business Administration of the University of Florida, later becoming the first Eminent Scholar in Florida’s state university system. Theil received many international awards including honorary degrees from the University of Chicago, the Free University of Brussels, Erasmus University and Hope College. He contributed over 250 articles in revered journals and wrote more than 15 books. His research included seminal contributions to econometric methodology, aggregation theory, and the evaluation of forecast, quantitative economic policy, information theory and its economic demand.
Theil retired from the University of Florida in 1994, the same year our endowment from his family was created. He passed away in Jacksonville, Florida, on Aug. 20, 2000. His legacy will continue eternally because of his generous gift in support of the arts at the University of Florida. Many students have benefitted from both the award recognition and the educational exhibitions presented by the University Galleries for the past 50 years.
About University Galleries
University Galleries is comprised of three art galleries at the University of Florida (UF) in Gainesville, Florida, and is an integral part of the programs and curricula of the School of Art + Art History.
University Gallery, located in Fine Arts B at the intersection of SW 13th Street and SW 4th Avenue, provides high-quality, thought-provoking exhibitions changing every two to 12 weeks that engage the university and wider community in stimulating dialogue facilitated by contemporary visual language and culture. For the past 12 years the University Gallery has collaborated with myriad UF colleges, community and regional entities in creating a trans-disciplinary venue for the visual arts. Exhibitions feature internationally-recognized artists, an annual faculty exhibition, a juried student art show and two MFA graduating thesis project shows. The 3,000-square-foot space is a lively, exciting venue that is utilized for many events throughout the academic year. University Gallery is open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Thursdays: 10 a.m.–7 p.m.; and Saturdays: 12 p.m.–4 p.m. The gallery is closed Mondays, Sundays and holidays.
Gary R. Libby Gallery is an 850-square-foot space that presents monthly exhibitions of student-curated exhibitions featuring student and alumni artworks. The Gary R. Libby Gallery is located adjacent to the lobby of the School of Art + Art History’s Fine Arts C. The gallery is open Monday through Friday 10 a.m.–5 p.m. and is closed weekends and holidays.
Grinter Gallery is located in the lobby area of Grinter Hall. Established by an endowment from Linton and Constance Grinter, its primary mission is to present international and multicultural artwork through student curated exhibitions. Grinter Gallery is open Monday through Friday: 8 a.m.–5 p.m. and is closed weekends and holidays.
Parking Information
Daytime parking is available in reserved spaces between Fine Arts C (FAC) and Inner Road. From SW 13th Street, enter campus on Museum Drive. Turn right on Newell Drive, then right on Inner Road. Turn left into the parking lot behind FAC. The first three spaces on the left are reserved for gallery use. Parking permits are issued to gallery visitors in the University Gallery.
For more information, please contact the University Gallery at (352) 273-3000 or visit our website at www.arts.ufl.edu/galleries.
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Media Contact
Leah Spellman, APR
Public Relations and Marketing Manager
University of Florida College of the Arts
Office: 352.273.1489 | Cell: 904.419.3346
lspellman@arts.ufl.edu
