Shipley’s long-standing partnership with the West Collection brings world-class contemporary art to the 
Speer Gallery, exposing students to a diverse array of thought-provoking exhibitions year after year.

Shipley alumna Paige West ’86 developed a deep appreciation for the arts under the mentorship of former art teacher Chris Wagner. Now the visionary behind the internationally renowned West Collection, Paige and her team—including Director Lee Stoetzel—have generously loaned remarkable exhibits to the Speer Gallery for over two decades. “The reason I have a career in art,” comments West, “is because of Ms. Wagner. She pushed me to find my passion and my drive through art. I also always appreciated Ms. Wagner’s eccentric take on the teacher-student relationship. When discussing art and life she treated us like adults, questioning us constantly, pushing back on our beliefs, and challenging us to think differently, act bravely. I share with Shipley the art that Lee and I have collected and curated as a thank you to Ms. Wagner. And to try to get students to think outside of their bubbles when looking at art, as she did so brilliantly.”

The partnership has brought a wide range of compelling themes to Shipley, including diversity, equality, nature, consumption, and climate change. “The thing I always appreciated about Shipley,” Stoetzel notes, “is that no topic or idea was too tough or too advanced to keep from the students. That’s why Paige West holds Shipley in such high regard and why we’ve kept loaning contemporary shows all these years.”

Recent highlights include a solo exhibition by Scottish artist Rory MacArthur, showcasing his abstract “shaped” wall works, and this year’s Ada Trillo exhibit, La Caravana del Diablo. Trillo’s powerful documentary photographs capture the humanity of migrants’ journeys to the United States, resonating deeply with students and faculty alike. This partnership not only enhances the student experience but also exemplifies Shipley’s commitment to engaging with challenging, real-world ideas through art.