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Museum Receives Gift of American Indian Art

Estelle and Morton Sosland
courtesy of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
Estelle and Morton Sosland

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art announced a gift today of one of the nation's finest private collections of American Indian art. The 34 Northwest Coast masterworks in the Sosland Collection were donated by two longtime patrons. By Laura Spencer

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/national/local-national-866947.mp3

Kansas City, MO – The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art announced a gift today of one of the nation's finest private collections of American Indian art. Thirty-four masterworks, including 32 from the Northwest Coast, in the Sosland Collection were donated by two longtime patrons, as KCUR's Laura Spencer reports.

Estelle and Morton Sosland began collecting American Indian art more than 50 years ago. They were drawn to works from the Northwest Coast for their sculptural beauty and emotional power.

Morton Sosland says it's with some regret that they part with their collection, but gifting it to the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is like placing it in a different home.

"We know we're going to be able to visit it," says Sosland. "We're delighted that we're able to share it with so large a part of our community. And we think it will provide them with the same kind of joy it has provided us."

The museum opens its new galleries dedicated to American Indian art on November 11, 2009.

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