Ann Arbor Times

Eastern Michigan University has opened a new exhibit at the Halle Library, showcasing the Wigglesworth Collection. This collection includes sculptures, paintings, and rare artifacts, some dating back to the Roman Empire. The exhibit will be on display until August 8 in the first-floor gallery of the recently renovated library.

The Wigglesworth Collection is named after EMU alum Gene Wigglesworth, who along with his wife, collected art, antiquities, and geological specimens over several decades. This marks the first time their collection is being publicly displayed at EMU. Eventually, it will be installed across campus for long-term exhibition.

Danny Baskin, gallery program director for EMU’s School of Art and Design, emphasized the importance of sharing such gifts with students. “When we get a gift like this, we want to share it with our student population,” he said. He added that displaying these items allows people to appreciate them before they are distributed across campus.

Highlights of the collection include an Egyptian headrest and an ancient bronze armband with ram’s heads from 900 CE. Contemporary works are also featured alongside these historic treasures. Baskin noted his appreciation for the antique Egyptian headrest: “One of my favorite works in the collection is an antique Egyptian headrest made from carved wood.”

The Halle Library underwent significant renovations funded by The Diane and Bruce Halle Foundation. These upgrades aimed to create collaborative spaces for instruction and interaction within its 27,000 square feet area. Improvements include flexible study areas, technology-rich classrooms, and a café.

The exhibit is free and open to the public through August 8. For more information, contact Danny Baskin at dbaskin1@emich.edu.

Eastern Michigan University was founded in 1849 and serves nearly 13,000 students across various disciplines. The university offers more than 300 programs through its different colleges and is recognized for its excellence and diversity.