Loughborough University Art Collection

Arguably one of the most varied art collections of any educational establishment within the UK. It was started by Stewart Mason during his term as the then Leicestershire Director of Education from 1947-71. During the nearly quarter century of his tenure, his passion for paintings, sculpture and handicraft slowly manifested itself into an amazing art collection. Furthermore, he made sure that all the acquisitions were not placed in 'galleries' but were spread evenly over Loughborough's sprawling campus, both indoors and outdoors, where they are seen by people going about their daily duties.

Many of these were featured in the seminal 1967-68 exhibition ‘British Sculpture and Painting from the Leicestershire Education Authority’ at London’s Whitechapel Gallery. Since then, the collection has expanded exponentially and artists represented include John Bratby, Frank Avray Wilson, John Piper, Edward Bawden, Oswald Birley, Bridget Riley and Brian Organ, to name but a very few.