Actor DAVID CONRAD donates art collection to Kiski school

SALTSURG, PA - Actor David Conrad recently donated his art collection, valued at $300,000, to The Kiski School.

Conrad's 151-piece collection is comprised of photography, paintings, prints and several sculptures. Nearly 90 percent of the artists represented in the collection were born, lived or currently reside in western Pennsylvania, including painters Robert Qualters, Ron Donoughe, Colin Noonan, John Sokol, 1973 Kiski grad Kevin Kutz, Fabrizio Gerbino and Charlee Brodsky.

A 1985 Kiski graduate, Conrad was born, raised and still resides part time in Pittsburgh. He attended Brown University and graduated from Julliard in 1995. He joined Kiski's board of trustees in 2008 and has been instrumental in supporting and helping design the new Swank Student Center on campus. In addition to his dedication to Kiski, he also serves on various other nonprofit and foundation boards in western Pennsylvania. Conrad is currently co-starring with Jennifer Love Hewitt in the hit television series ``Ghost Whisperer.'' He has starred in several films, including ``Wedding Crashers'' and ``Men of Honor,'' and has appeared on a variety of stages all over the nation. He has made guest appearances on television shows such as ``Roswell,'' ``Boston Public'' and ``House.''

Conrad's collection is strategically placed throughout campus buildings, including the Swank Student Center, The John A. Pidgeon Library, the Old Main Administration Building, Heath S. Clark Hall, the E. William Turley Dining Hall, Rogers Fine Arts Center and the J.L. Marks Fieldhouse.

Said Headmaster Christopher Brueningsen, ``Kiski is so very fortunate to be the recipient of this remarkable collection. The pieces are so rich and varied - there's something for everyone. Our students and teachers have reacted very positively to the artwork Dave donated. He's has been such a great friend to Kiski and we all remain most grateful for his generosity and thoughtfulness.''

``Lowell Boyers, a New York City painter, a Yale Prize winner, a 1984 Kiski graduate and a good friend of mine, heightened my interest in art, art history and museums when we were at Kiski together, but I didn't began collecting until about 10 years ago,'' Conrad said. ``The first pieces I purchased were photographs of Pittsburgh. Then I started collecting paintings, prints and drawings, many depicting western Pa. and its people, and this went on for awhile until one day it dawned on me - I could build a mansion and there wouldn't be enough space to hang it all. Other people should see it. What better place than Kiski? The boys there get exposed to all types of art, they get used to it in their daily lives, and maybe a few of them choose it as career path. My way of giving back.''

Currently an extensive catalog is being produced, both in book and online formats. The interactive online site will be available to assist students in studying the artwork and artists. Phone-in docent technology will be available by the end of summer 2009. This technology allows visitors to call a special number using their own cell phone and then enter the item number adjacent to a specific piece of art to hear a description. Visitors can listen to descriptions in any order, remain connected throughout their visit, or disconnect and call back as desired. A walking tour to view the collection is also being developed but is not currently available.

In addition to his art collection gift, Conrad and fellow Kiski graduate Kristofer Rockwell, class of 1990, will financially support Will's Gift, an annual cash award that will be given to a local artist whose work will then be permanently placed at the school. It is named in honor of E. William Turley, an artist and educator at Kiski for 35 years. The inaugural award was recently given to Pittsburgh artist Alexi Morrissey.

``It is our goal to assist in a small way to the vibrancy of Pittsburgh's creative community and increase and develop Kiski's strong collection in the visual arts,'' Conrad said. ``We hope the campus will be an archive and a teaching center, and a living and virtual gallery of the region's finest work.''