Noted artist Ann Morris, her son Brook Morris of California and daughter Clea Costa Van Voorhis of Illinois are providing Western Washington University and its students with an extraordinary gift – 14.5 acres of Lummi Island forest that surround her studio and provide the setting for her figurative bronze sculptures sited in the wild quiet called Sculpture Woods.
Under the generous philanthropic agreement, Ann Morris and her family are donating Sculpture Woods to the WWU Foundation. In turn, the university is committed to maintaining the sculptures and using the property to enrich its curriculum.
Western’s College of Fine and Performing Arts intends to use Sculpture Woods as an active learning and collaborative space, complementary to the spirit of the property Morris created while also supportive of the mission of the university. The university’s Western Gallery, whose purpose is to collect, exhibit and preserve visual arts, will use Sculpture Woods to further encourage the use of these works for educational and research purposes. The College intends to use this property for visiting artists, special events such as art viewings and recitals, and other small events as appropriate.
“Over the years, I’ve worked on a lot of interesting donations, but none as exciting and worthy as Ann’s gift of Sculpture Woods to the College and University. Sculpture Woods will be transformative for the ways in which students and faculty engage their own work, most notably with the gift of time and place in which to nurture their own creativity, thereby honoring Ann’s spirit and vision,” said Kit Spicer, dean of Western’s College of Fine and Performing Arts.
Sculpture Woods is a beautiful and tranquil oasis of the wooded property overlooking Rosario Strait on Lummi Island. Morris has worked at this property for 23 years and has built a magnificent art studio, gallery and yoga house on the property. As part of Morris’ work, she has created 16 life-size bronze sculptures, permanently installed outdoors.
“Sculpture Woods has been in the making since 1995. The studio in its quiet natural setting has been the home of my creative work. What has emerged is a place, where my art lives and more can be generated. The gift of Sculpture Woods to Western Washington University Foundation is given in the hope of this place continues to inspire creativity in all who come here, Western students, professors, the public. May it be a gift that continues giving,” Morris said.
Morris came to work and live on Lummi Island in the 1980s and by 1995 Sculpture Woods came into being. Her body of work, also a gift to the university, ranges from the bronze mythic figures to exquisitely delicate bronze renderings of bones and the vessels, which contain them on their journey through time. The 16 large works emphasize the relationship between nature and the human spirit, and the grounds serve as a lush outdoor museum. The most recent work has grown out of the artist’s lifelong fascination with plant forms. The Crossing series are fiber boats made from plant materials gathered on her walks and travels. Morris’ work has been shown in various galleries and private collections across the country.
Under terms of the agreement with Western, Morris now will lease back the property from the WWU Foundation, continuing to utilize the property and facilities for as much time as she desires. At her discretion, WWU may host certain events at the property. When Morris decides to terminate her lease, the rights of usage on the property will transfer to the Foundation, which will maintain Sculpture Woods in its natural state for the benefit of the university and the surrounding community.
Joining Morris is a small group of generous private donors who have committed nearly $1 million to preserve the collection and its home, and promoting art education for generations of Western students and visitors. This separate endowment will provide funds for the preservation of the property.
To contribute to the endowment, please contact Sonja Sather at Sonja.Sather@wwu.edu or (360) 650-3384; or visit: https://foundation.wwu.edu/SculptureWoodsEndowment
Sculpture Woods will continue to be open to the public, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the first Saturday of every month.
