History of the Gallery

Southwest Minnesota State University is a liberal arts institution within the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System. Southwest Minnesota State opened in 1967 and was granted university status in 1975.

An art gallery at SMSU evolved through the efforts of Edward Evans. As early as 1970, Evans began installing exhibitions in new rooms around campus, which were later repurposed. In 1972, William Whipple, Dean of Humanities and Fine Arts at Southwest and a staunch supporter of the arts, secured a former classroom as the gallery's permanent space. When Whipple died in 1977, the gallery was named in his honor. A year later, the William Whipple Art Gallery moved to a larger, more centrally located space.

The Southwest Minnesota State University Art Museum comprises two galleries: the William Whipple Gallery I, located in BA 291 (constructed in 2005), and the William Whipple Gallery II, situated on the second floor of Founders Hall. The museum also maintains a program of changing art exhibits throughout the campus, especially in the student center, where over 100 artworks are always on display. Additionally, the university art museum sponsors off-campus exhibitions.

The William Whipple Art Gallery typically has twelve exhibitions a year. Works by alumni, regional and international artists are shown.

In addition to teaching painting and drawing and directing the gallery for many years at Southwest Minnesota State, Edward Evans is a professional artist. His professional relationships enable him to curate exhibitions of a quality not typically seen in smaller universities. Although he retired from teaching in 2002, Evans continues as curator and director of Southwest Minnesota State University Art Museum.