NASHVILLE, TN.-Aronson Fine Art and Nashville based software company, Visnulimited, presented Watkins College of Art & Design with a gift of a complete appraisal and catalog of the college’s art collection. Leonard Aronson, Accredited Senior Appraiser, American Society of Appraisers, donated his services, presenting the college with its first formal appraisal of their 300 plus-piece art collection in the school’s 120 year history. Carol Hagen, CEO of Visnulimited, contributed her firm’s services to create an electronic catalog and inventory of the Watkins collection using the Curatorial Management System (CMS) software package.

“This project was a great experience and a significant step forward for the school,” said Watkins’ president, Dr. Jim Brooks. The documentation project provided Watkins with a thorough, certified appraisal of the art collection for insurance and collateral purposes, a complete library of digital images, and a state of the art collection management system.

Aronson Fine Art and Visnulimited were happy to make this donation to the college. “Watkins is an important part of the art community in Nashville and the Southeast. I was pleased to do a pro-bono appraisal for them,” said Aronson. “This project provided Aronson, Watkins and Visnu an opportunity to use synergy to the benefit of all involved. It was an honor and great fun to work with the Watkins’ staff,” added Hagen.

Watkins’ collection of art spans nearly 100 years with over 300 pieces of mostly traditional American art. A majority of the collection is works by former students and professors, but the art also includes portraits, prints, and other works donated to the institution or purchased with grants.

Watkins is home to the Brownlee O. Currey, Jr. Gallery, which shows current works by student and faculty. Pieces from the collection are on display at the school and can be viewed by the public Monday – Friday from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm.