Photo Albums

Michael Pucker (left) is a law partner of Wabash's Chariman of the Board, Stephen Bowen. On Sunday, Pucker honored their friendship by donating a painting by Holocaust survivor Samuel Bak to Wabash's permanent collection in honor of Bowen and their years of friendship. The painting was made in 1999 and is titled Creation. Dean of the College Gary Phillips says the painting "asks us to consider the relationship between creation and destruction. He [Bak] asks us to imagine a world where the divine is present only in absence."

Michael Pucker, a law partner with Wabash's Stephen Bowen ’68, makes a few brief remarks before announcing that Samuel Bak's painting Creation is being donated to Wabash in honor of Bowen.

Artist and Holocaust survivor Samuel Bak chats with friends Michael and Gigi Pucker.

Wabash President Pat White, artist Samuel Bak, Chairman of the Board Stephen Bowen, and Michael Pucker pose for a photo in front of the painting Creation. The painting was given to Wabash by Michael and Gigi Pucker to honor their friendship with Steve Bowen.

Bernie Pucker, who owns the gallery that manages Samuel Bak's art and who worked with Wabash Dean Gary Phillips to bring the exhibition to Wabash, makes a few remarks about Bak's art, its importance, and the scholars who study it — and thus share it with the wider world.

Michael Pucker (left) caught Board Chair Steve Bowen ’68 completely off guard when he announced he was donating a painting by Samuel Bak to Wabash in honor of his friendship with Steve Bowen.

Wabash President Pat White thanked Michael and Gigi Pucker for honoring their friend Steve Bowen with the donation of Bak's painting Creation. He also talked about how Bak's work was ideal for study by students and teachers of the liberal arts.

Wabash Dean Gary Phillips has researched and studied the work of Holocaust survivor and artist Samuel Bak for years. He and his colleague Danna Fewell of Drew University have orchestrated a collaboration that includes Wabash, Drew, and DePauw University to share the art and scholarship associated with Bak's work. After a five-week run at Wabash, paintings from "The Art of the Question: The Paintings of Samuel Bak" will be exhibited at the Prindle Institute of Ethics at DePauw University. At right is former DePauw President Robert Bottoms, who now directs the work of the Prindle Institute.

Christine White of DePauw University has worked closely with colleagues at Wabash and Drew to bring the Bak exhibition to the Midwest. Here White chats with artist Samuel Bak.

Dena Pence (right), the Director of the Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning in Theology and Religion, talks with Amy Robbins, whose husband Clay is President of Lilly Endowment Inc., which made the Bak exhibition possible. Pence and her colleagues at the Wabash Center will be hosting a colloquy on art and theology.

Wabash Board Chair Stephen Bowen ’68 talks with gallery owner Bernie Pucker about the art of Samuel Bak.

A gift to Wabash that honors Stephen Bowen ’68, Creation was donated to the College by Michael and Gigi Pucker, long-time friends of the Wabash Board Chairman. The presentation of the painting coincided with the opening of the exhibit "The Art of the Question: Paintings by Samuel Bak," which will run in the Eric Dean Gallery for five weeks. Creation was made in 1999. Dean of the College Gary Phillips says the painting "asks us to consider the relationship between creation and destruction. He [Bak] asks us to imagine a world where the divine is present only in absence."