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Gallery History
The
Alexey von Schlippe Gallery of Art was founded in 1992 at the
University of Connecticut's Avery Point Campus, which occupies the Long Island
Sound Gatsby-era estate of industrialist Morton Freeman Plant. The Gallery is
located in the Branford House Mansion, a 19,000 square-foot granite Tudor mansion
built by Plant at the turn of the century, which itself is a treasury of carved,
chased, sculpted, cast, molded and inlaid works of European craftsmen in oak,
mahogany, walnut, onyx, marble, sandstone, bronze, iron and plaster.The mansion,
a registered property in the National Register of Historic Places, which was renovated and restored, has become the focal point
of this seventy-three acre, seaside campus.
The
Gallery provides four separate but contiguous exhibition spaces.One of these
spaces is most often dedicated to the exhibition of works from what we regard
as a unique treasure--a permanent collection of paintings by the late Alexey
von Schlippe (1915-1988), an innovative and accomplished painter of international
reputation, and former Professor of Art at the University of Connecticut's Avery
Point campus.
This is copyrighted
material.
Images may not be reproduced without the written permission of The Alexey
von Schlippe Gallery of Art
According to Helmut Nickel, former Curator of Arms and Armor at The Metropolitan
Museum of Art, Alexey's art "...based on traditional forms rooted in his
European and specifically Russian heritage, reflects his wide-ranging personal
experience of the vagaries of life; it showse glow of early Quattrocento masters
permeated with the hieratic austerity of Byzantine icons. A subtle blending
of realism and abstraction is particularly evident in his landscapes, which
go far beyond mere design in their human evaluation of nature...there is a striking
combination of modern view and traditional aesthetics in Alexey von Schlippe's
(work) that interprets the past with a fresh and individual vision."
Striking
among Alexey's works are unique treatments of fundamental ambiguities related
to how objects and human figures occupy or "own" space.  
The permanent collection, a gift of the von Schlippe family, includes representative
paintings of all subjects treated by this prolific painter, from still-lifes
and portraits to abstract works. We are hopeful that, because of the close relationship
with the von Schlippe family, the Gallery may enjoy some access to the collection
of paintings in Alexey's estate inGermany.
The
additional gallery spaces are used for exhibits of regional, national and international
artists as well as for student exhibits. 
It is a policy and purpose of the Alexey von Schlippe Gallery of Art to offer
significant exposure to artists from across the complete spectrum of artistic
expression, especially those doing innovative work. We believe this policy will
afford the public (and -- especially importantly -- students) access and exposure
to an enhanced diversity of creative works of art, particularly by regional
artists.
Statement of Purpose
The
Alexey von Schlippe Gallery of Art, The University of Connecticut at Avery Point,
has been established for the exhibition, interpretation, collection and preservation
of works of art and to provide opportunities for students and scholars for research.
The Gallery exists for the benefit and enrichment of the University academic
community, the citizens of southern Connecticut and of the State of Connecticut
in general, and for the public at large. It shall contribute through its educational
and other programs to the greater understanding and appreciation of art.
Through
its activities, The Alexey von Schlippe Gallery of Art strives for the highest
quality and diversity of programs possible in an effort to complement the strength,
depth, and breadth of art offerings in southern Connecticut.
The Gallery's function is four-fold: the exhibition, interpretation, and preservation
of works of art, and to provide opportunities for scholars for research of works
of art. The Gallery attempts to contribute significantly to the educational
and outreach objectives of the University in southern Connecticut. The Gallery's
most important concern is for the works of art in its care, its exhibition,
and its use as educational tools. A complementary concern is the exhibition of regional, national and internation art across a broad range of expression by accomplished visual artists. Through its programs, the
Gallery offers students, the academic community, and the public access and exposure
to an expanded diversity of art which would otherwise be significantly lacking
in the region. The Gallery reinforces its basic purpose through secondary functions
such as lectures, films, and concerts, thus serving as the cultural center of
the campus and an important cultural resource for the community.
Program Profile
The
Gallery is dedicated to the memory of the late Alexey von Schlippe (1915-1988),
an innovative and accomplished painter, and former Professor of Art at the University
of Connecticut at Avery Point. A gift of the von Schlippe family, the Permanent
Collection consists of some five hundred works, including representative paintings
of a variety of subjects.
The
Exhibition spaces as well as storage and work spaces of the Alexey von Schlippe
Gallery of Art are located in the Branford House Mansion at Avery Point, in
the West Wing designated for this purpose. 
T the Permanent Collection, continues to expand, due to donations of work by
exhibing artists. These works will be exhibited continuously on a rotating basis.
Studies, as well as major works from the Permanent Collection, will also be
used in both formal and informal educational environments to demonstrate the
combination of discipline and unhindered expression essential to producing a
work of art.
Substantial
support for activities of the Gallery comes through the generous and enthusiastic
efforts of its volunteer board and from the participation by Members and artists
from across the region. The Gallery will augment the financial support base
provided by its current members through efforts in fundraising which will include
grant submissions, expanded membership drives, and special projects.
Through
its programs, the Gallery offers students, the academic community, and the public,
access and exposure to a rich diversity of art which is continuously growing
in this region. The Gallery reinforces its basic purpose through secondary arts
activities, such as lectures, films, concerts, and poetry readings, thus serving as
the cultural center of the campus and an important cultural resource for the
community.
Top
of Page (Index) Gallery Membership form
Directions to the Alexey von Schlippe Gallery of Art:
Take 95 to Exit 87, The Clarence B. Sharp Highway.
At the second set of Stoplights take a right.
(you will see a sign here for the University of Connecticut at Avery Point)
At the next corner and set of lights, take a left.
Follow this road for several miles, straight, past Pfizer Corp. and the Golf Course.
Shortly after the Golf Course you will come to the entrance for the University
(big blue sign) just before a sharp curve.
Proceed straight onto campus until you can’t go any further.
Take left and you will see the Branford House Mansion on your right.
The AvS Gallery of Art is on the 2nd floor.
Gallery Hours: Wed. - Sun. noon-4PM
Alexey von Schlippe Gallery of Art
University of Connecticut, Avery Point
1084 Shennecossett Road
Groton, CT. 06340
Phone: 860-405-9052
e-mail: julia.pavone@uconn.edu
www.averypointarts.uconn.edu
Comment
or suggestions on this page are e-mailed to julia.pavone@uconnvm.uconn.edu
Created on 06 Dec 1998 by (JH)
Revised on Feb 25, 2009 by (JP)
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