A HISTORY OF THE EVERSON

The Everson Museum of Art, formerly the Syracuse Museum of Fine Arts, was conceived and founded by George Fisk Comfort in 1896. Dr. Comfort was a visionary, proclaiming that "in no country in the world is there more native genius for art than in America". Prior to founding the Syracuse Museum of Fine Arts, Dr. Comfort was a founder and trustee of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York in 1869, and then was founder and dean of the College of Fine Arts at Syracuse University.

The Syracuse Museum of Fine Arts inaugural exhibition in 1900 was held in the Onondaga Savings Bank downtown; first home for the museum.

Under Dr. Comfort's leadership the museum developed the first regular museum education program in America. The museum provided continuing exhibitions of high quality and widely varied content; from Eskimo art to art by school children. In 1906 the museum moved to new quarters in the Syracuse Public Library.

At Dr. Comfort's death in 1910, Fernando Carter became the second director of the Syracuse Museum of Fine Arts. Carter quickly proclaimed a new and innovative goal for the museum - the collection of specifically American art. The works Carter chose reflected his training as an artist and a fine sensibility to style and historical perspective. He was a strong advocate of local art as well, encouraging exhibitions by area artists. Carter also established the museumÕs interest in modern ceramics as a fine art by purchasing as early as 1916 thirty-one porcelains by Adelaide Alsop Robineau of Syracuse, who is today considered one of America's finest ceramists.

Carter continued as director until his death in 1931, and was succeeded by his assistant, Anna Wetherill Olmsted, who remained as director for the next 25 years, expanding its educational and community programs, including initiating WPA-sponsored adult art classes during the depression years.

Anna Olmsted was instrumental in founding the Ceramic National exhibitions in memory of Adelaide Alsop Robineau, which has brought international attention to the museum's unique collection of modern ceramics.

In 1937 the museum moved into a building of its own, the former Lynch mansion on James Street, not far from the downtown area. The new building afforded the community a real sense of cultural achievement. Nevertheless, the rapidly expanding museum had soon outgrown even this facility and in 1965 under the direction of Max Sullivan ground was broken for the landmark structure designed by architect I. M. Pei. The present Everson Museum of Art was opened in 1968, described as "a work of art to house works of art."

In 1971 James Harithas was appointed as the next director, bringing with him a keen awareness and interest in contemporary American art. During his tenure the new medium of video art was intrtoduced as an integral part of the museum's collections.

In 1974 Ron Kuchta became the director, focusing attention to developing ethnic collections, expanding the museum collection of fine art photography, and mounting international contemporary ceramic exhibits.

In 1995 Sandra Trop was named director; poising the Everson Museum to become more involved in educational events surrounding exhibitions, serving the original mission of emphasising American art, and exploring new technology links to the art community.

Thus the Everson Museum of Art has grown within the community serving to bring art to the people in a productive and rewarding relationship for 100 years.