When Knox College art students and faculty move into the new Whitcomb Art Center in January, they'll find new tools and resources, thanks to a recent gift from one of the nation's premiere art supply companies.

College officials recently took delivery of $60,000 in equipment donated by Blick Art Materials. The Illinois-based company has its headquarters in Highland Park and national distribution center in Galesburg.

The gift from Blick Art Materials includes more than $14,000 in new electronically controlled kilns, powered pottery wheels and related items for ceramics, along with more than $40,000 in new work surfaces, storage, and seating equipment.

Providing facilities for Knox's programs in art and art history, the $8.9 million Whitcomb Art Center was completed in October. College staff are now working on installation of networking and the moving of equipment and furniture from the Ford Center for the Fine Arts, which will continue to house music, theatre, and dance. The first classes in the new art building will be held starting in January.

"Blick Art Materials is a very generous community partner," said Mark Holmes, associate professor and chair of Knox's art department. "Blick has donated materials and equipment to art students and provided funds to support awards to student artists and the Artist in Residence program."

The Whitcomb Art Center is named in honor of Dick and Joan Whitcomb, Knox graduates who donated $5 million toward the project. As of November 15, approximately $400,000 in gift opportunities are still available for potential donors.

Above, art professor Mark Holmes and facilities staff Tim Guerrero discuss placement of new equipment from Blick Art Materials; below, student workers bring in part of the delivery.