The World Is Round: Celebrating Art, Legacy, and Discovery at Purdue Galleries

Purdue Galleries will host a closing reception and panel talk for The World Is Round at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 9, in Robert L. Ringel Gallery, located in Stewart Center. The event will bring together scholars, curators, and art enthusiasts to honor the enduring legacy of Purdue Physics professors Edward and Anna Akeley, whose extraordinary art collection has become a cornerstone of the university’s cultural heritage.

The exhibition takes its name from a simple yet powerful message Edward Akeley once sent to his future wife as she sought refuge from Nazi Germany, a message that ultimately guided her to safety and shaped their shared outlook on the world. Together, the Akeleys spent a lifetime collecting artwork that reflected their intellectual curiosity and global perspective.

In 1995, the couple donated 26 pieces from their collection to Purdue Galleries. Nearly two decades later, an unexpected rediscovery of nearly 500 additional works brought new life to their story. With support from the Henry Luce Foundation, the full collection has since been researched, digitized, and made available to scholars and the public, deepening Purdue’s commitment to making art accessible for learning and reflection.

Curated by Kirstin Gotway, The World Is Round showcases selections from this vast collection, featuring works by globally recognized artists including Pablo Picasso, Kitawaga Utamaro, and Diego Rivera. The exhibition is organized by region: Japan, Mexico, and the United States, underscoring the Akeleys’ appreciation for cultural diversity and artistic expression across borders.

At the closing event, Gotway will be joined by subject expert Sharon Theobald and author Angie Klink, whose new book, Purdue’s Female Founders: The Untold History of Trailblazing Women Faculty, highlights Professor Anna Akeley’s contributions as one of Purdue’s early women faculty members. Together, the panelists will explore the artistic, historical, and personal narratives behind the collection.

The World Is Round remains on view through 7 p.m. on Friday, October 10. Ringel Gallery is open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m.–7 p.m., and admission to all Purdue Galleries events is free and open to the public.

To explore more from the Akeley Collection, visit purdue.edu/galleries/collections.