Living Art Museum: University House

Art on Display in University House

UND Art Collections is a campus-wide venture whose mission is to utilize the University’s art for education, research, and cultural enrichment. The Living Art Museum (LAM) plan involves placing artworks in various locations on campus.

University House, which was completed in 2008, is the residence of the President and First Lady of the University of North Dakota. Interim President Ed Schafer and First Lady Nancy Schafer played active roles in the selection of many of the artworks that are now in the house.

The following President, Mark Kennedy, and First Lady Debbie Kennedy made several significant changes in artworks adorning the residence, which reflected their own tastes. Furthermore, Debbie Kennedy, who has an MFA, added her own artwork in the form of a star quilt. The quilt, completed in 2017, was designed and sewn by the First Lady and quilted by Kathy Detke.

UND has a strong tradition of Presidents and First Ladies who have shown interest in the arts, and the art on display throughout the house illuminates such interest.

On display are works by historically renowned artists, including Rembrandt and Picasso. Some of these works are removed at times for exhibitions elsewhere, or for educational purposes across the campus, in keeping with the spirit of the Living Art Museum.