Artist donates collection of Oklahoma paintings to OSU

Tuesday, September 20, 2005

Professor Emeritus and artist Rudy Miller recently donated 50 acrylic paintings of native Oklahoma fish species valued at $25,000 to Oklahoma State University for instruction in artistic and scientific disciplines.

Dr. Miller displays a sampling of this collection of Oklahoma fish now through Oct. 14 in the Malinda Berry Fisher Gallery at the OSU Foundation in Stillwater.

"These paintings offer the university many opportunities for future use,” Miller said. “Since they have a great deal of scientific relevance, there is the possibility of using them for instruction, as well as for display and fundraising purposes.”

Originally from Rochester, New York, Miller studied art at the Rochester Art Gallery and Cornell University. He illustrated several scientific books during his graduate studies and created his latest collection to complement his book, "The Fishes of Oklahoma." His works have been exhibited at galleries nationwide, including the Oklahoma City Museum of Art.

Miller arrived at OSU in 1962 as a zoology professor and taught at the university for 28 years. He earned bachelor’s and doctoral degrees from Cornell University, as well as a master’s degree from Tulane University. Miller specializes in fish behavior and ecology.

OSU purchased an additional 10 paintings from Miller to complete the collection and display it in its entirety in the university’s library.

The OSU Foundation serves as the private fundraising organization for OSU, as designated by the OSU Regents. Its mission is to unite donor and university passions and priorities to achieve excellence.

For more information on the OSU Foundation, log on to its website or call 405-385-5100.