Art exhibit features the work of late philanthropist Donald J. Stewart

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VANCOUVER, Wash. - A collection of art work created by the late Donald J. Stewart, noted community leader and philanthropist, will be on display in Washington State University Vancouver Administration Building gallery from Dec. 3 - Jan. 25. Entry to this campus exhibit is free.

There will be a gallery reception nearing the end of the exhibit from 3 -7 p.m., Jan. 15 in the Administration Building gallery.

Stewart was born on July 31, 1895, in the Palouse area of eastern Washington. He showed an active interest in art during his youth and planned a career as an artist, but his father, county superintendent in Spokane, encouraged him to choose a less risky career path. Stewart retired in 1967 after 45 flourishing years as an architect. In retirement, his interest again turned to art and he began painting scenes at Heathergate Garden, the grounds around his remodeled farmhouse in northern Vancouver.

"These pieces were meant to express the instantaneous flash of visual and spirit inspirations that come and go so rapidly," said Stewart. "These drawings are simple expressions of the spirit of the garden to pass on to future generations."

It is fitting that his work focuses on the beauty of the natural landscape of Southwest Washington since he donated 12 acres of land on the Burnt Bridge Creek for use as a conservancy. It was Stewart and his wife Betty's hope that this property could be saved from urban development and preserved as a natural arboretum and wildlife refuge. The Stewarts' donation was a catalyst for moving the green belt idea forward which ultimately led to the creation of a 100-acre park now named "Stewart Glen," encompassing Burnt Bridge Creek.

91³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø galleries are open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday. 91³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø is located at 14204 N.E. Salmon Creek Ave., east of the 134th Street exit from either I-5 or I-205, or on C-Tran Bus route 9 from the Salmon Creek Park and Ride. Public parking is available in metered spaces and in the blue lot for $3 per day. 91³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø offers 14 Bachelor's degrees, nine Master's degrees, one Doctorate degree and more than 35 fields of study. Visit us on the Web at

Artwork by Donald Stewart. Click thumbnails for high resolution images