An Artistic Adventure: The Stuart Collection Turns 40

From the iconic "Sun God" to the bold "Fallen Star," the Stuart Collection has made its mark on the UC San Diego campus over the past four decades. This October marks the 40th year of the collection, which continues to expand since it was first established through an innovative partnership between the Stuart Foundation and the university. Now with 21 works, and another currently under construction, the sculptures have become an unforgettable part of UC San Diego's landscape, enriching the cultural, intellectual and scholarly life of the campus. In recognition of the milestone, we sat down with Stuart Collection Director Mary Beebe and Operations Manager Mathieu Gregoire—both of whom are retiring from their roles this year. Along with Assistant Director Jane Zwerneman, Beebe and Gregoire have grown and maintained the collection since it began in 1981. They share behind-the-scenes stories, how artists take the lead in making their ideas come to life, what sculpture will be revealed next, and more. Q. How did you first get involved with the Stuart Collection? Beebe : In 1981, I was running a contemporary art space in Portland, Oregon when I got a call from UC San Diego Visual Arts Professor Newton Harrison.