This exhibition includes works by 23 artists, all of whom are or were members of NYAEA or its predecessor organization Artists Equity Association (AEA). The artists represented in the exhibition were born between 1884 (José de Creeft) and 1955 (Peter Colquhoun). Consequently, the work in the exhibition has a wide variety of styles and interests.

NYAEA traces its roots back to 1947 when AEA was founded as "a national, non-political, esthetically non-partisan organization representing the professional artists of America." Today NYAEA functions primarily as an advocate for the artists' issues.

The Tamara Kerr Art Bank is named in honor of a New York philanthropist, artist and poet who died in 1995. One of the primary functions of the Art Bank is to donate art to institutions such as Southeast that do not have a budget for purchasing art.

The gift was made in honor of long-time Museum benefactors George Schriever and his late wife Placide. In April George received the "Friend of the University," award, which recognizes those who support and who are closely associated with the mission, purposes, plans and programs of the University. It is the highest honor bestowed by the Southeast Missouri University Foundation. George was honored with this award for the numerous contributions he has made to the University including a $100,000 endowment to the University Museum, a $150,000 academic scholarship endowment and a collection of valuable paintings, furniture and other art objects to benefit the University Museum.

The exhibition will be on display at the University Museum in Memorial Hall, Room 122 until Sept. 29. Museum hours are Monday to Friday, 9 a.m.- 4 p.m., and weekends from noon until 4 p.m. The Museum will be closed from Aug. 31- Sept. 2 for Labor Day Weekend. For more information, call (573) 651-2260.