Friends of Alten
Supporting Art at GVSU
The Grand Valley State University Friends of Alten is a group of generous individuals from across West Michigan who believe in the value of art and preserving the work of legacy artists in the GVSU art collection. This group supports the exhibition, acquisition, and care of paintings at the George and Barbara Gordon Gallery. The Friends work to increase the awareness of Alten as a significant American Impressionist painter, and raise funds to support both the gallery and its mission. Membership in this group is automatic with any donation to the Mathias J. Alten Endowment fund. Gilded Frame level members receive a copy of the monograph Mathias J. Alten: An Evolving Legacy. Other membership perks include invitations to seasonal events including exhibition receptions, artist lectures, panel discussions, and more.
Membership Levels
- Paint Brush - $99 and under
- Palette - $100 - $200
- Canvas - $200 - $499
- Gilded Frame - $500 and above
View Past Recorded Events
Past events include lectures about Mathias J. Alten's work, life, and process by local experts, historians, and academics, including;
- Just the Place for High Thinking and Low Living: The Artist Colony at Old Lyme by Amy Kurtz-Lansing, Curator, Florence Griswold Museum, Old Lyme, CT
- Turning Grey: Alten and the Hague School by Henry Luttikhuizen, Grand Valley State University Scholar-in-Residence
- Mathias J. Alten: The Artist as Worker by Dr. Ellen Adams, Assistant Professor of Art in the Frederik Meijer Honors College, Grand Valley State University
- Framing Alten: A Discussion of the Frames Surrounding His Paintings by Kim Smith, owner of Perception Gallery
- The Wonder that is Mathias Alten: Ambition, Attraction, Achievement by E. Jane Connell
Stephen Duren on stage during the Spring 2022 Friends of Alten event in Loosemore Auditorium, Richard M. DeVos Center.
Gordon Gallery Advisory Committee
The Gordon Gallery Advisory Committee members meet regularly to provide assistance and feedback on the oversight, care, and maintenance of the Alten collection at GVSU and the subsequent exhibition planning, Alten acquisitions, and fund development.
- Barbara Gordon
- Arend (Don) Lubbers
- Emily Miller
- Margaret (Marge) Potter
- Kim Smith
- Nathan Kemler (Chair)
University Representation
- Andrew Bixel
Visit the catalogue raisonné online to view all known artworks created by Mathias J. Alten.
Other Opportunities to Give
GEORGE AND BARBARA GORDON ENDOWMENT FOR THE GORDON GALLERY
Provides funds for the upkeep of the Gordon Gallery.
MATHIAS J. ALTEN ENDOWMENT
Preserves, protects and promotes the artwork and reputation of Mathias Alten in the Gordon Gallery. Giving to this fund at any amount comes with automatic membership to the Friends of Alten group, see above for details.
ANITA M. GILLEO ENDOWMENT FOR THE MATHIAS J. ALTEN CATALOGUE RAISONNE
To be used for the ongoing maintenance and additions to the Mathias J. Alten Catalogue Raisonné by GVSU.
ART COLLECTION ENDOWMENT
Grand Valley State University is leading in innovative ways to provide access to art for students, the community, and the state. For years, the goal was to build the collection. Now the primary need has shifted to focus on increasing and sustaining access for all. Students of all majors can engage with the collection every day on-campus or online, utilize art in their courses to learn visual literacy and analysis, and experience different cultures and points of view.