To spot the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art, look for a striking brick building with detailed geometric patterns and an ornate arched doorway-right in front of you, topped with carved faces and thoughtful inscriptions.
Now, let’s step back in time-imagine it’s 1933, and people are flocking to this very doorway, buzzing with excitement to see something truly extraordinary: Eugene’s brand-new Museum of Art. Designed by the legendary Ellis F. Lawrence, the dean of Architecture & Allied Arts, this building was much more than just a pile of bricks. It was crafted as a crown jewel for the University of Oregon, nestled into its celebrated “main university quadrangle”-though let’s call it the Memorial Quadrangle today. Now look for a bit of practical magic: back then, the museum showed off state-of-the-art climate control, perfect for keeping all those priceless works of art comfy-even in Oregon’s infamous drizzle!
But the real star was Gertrude Bass Warner, the museum’s first director and a total whirlwind of energy and vision. She wasn’t just a collector-she was a passionate ambassador of Asian art, determined to build bridges between cultures. She transformed a treasure trove of more than 3,700 pieces-mostly Asian art-into what she hoped would be a blessing for Eugene. Picture classrooms filled with students learning about Japanese screens, Chinese scrolls, and ceramics, all thanks to Warner’s dreams. Her wish was that these collections would teach not only about art, but about kindness, peace, and friendship-values you can practically feel humming around the courtyard.
The museum didn’t stand still. Between 2002 and 2005, it got a major makeover, thanks in part to Jordan D. Schnitzer, whose support gave the museum its current name and a new lease on life. So if you’re feeling inspired, you’re not alone! The museum’s mission is to spark curiosity for visitors of every age, background, and learning style-a true choose-your-own-art adventure.
Step closer and check out those inscriptions on the west facade-quotations from Proverbs above the door, Plato chiming in on one end, Lao Tzu smiling on the other, and a heartfelt passage from Psalms in the cornerstone. Inside, the walls are alive with art from across the globe, from vintage Cuban photography to contemporary voices tackling modern movements. You’re standing at one of the most culture-packed doorways in Eugene, thanks to a vision that’s been almost a century in the making. The next big idea-or surprise-could be just inside those doors!
Interested in knowing more about the branches, exhibits or the inscriptions
