Fisk University is sitting on a lottery ticket it can't cash: a remarkable collection of 19th- and 20th-century art donated by the painter Georgia O'Keeffe. more>> Despite two years of trying, Fisk University hasn't been able to turn any of the valuable art donated by painter Georgia O'Keeffe into cash. more>> A judge denied a legal motion by Fisk University to dismiss the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum from a lawsuit over the school's attempt to sell a stake in a collection donated by the artist. more>>
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Court documents filed by a New Mexico museum said Fisk University has made little effort to display a 101-piece collection donated by the artist Georgia O'Keeffe.
The cash-strapped school put the art into storage in 2005 because the gallery where it was exhibited had fallen into disrepair and there were fears the works could get damaged.
The art collection was given to the historically black school in 1949 on the condition that it be kept on display.
The Georgia O'Keeffe Museum in Santa Fe, N.M., is the legal representative of the artist's estate.
The museum said the school already has half the money it needs to restore the exhibit space from federal and private sources.
But the museum says the school has done nothing to raise the rest of the money to get the art back on display.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
