MU rental art collection to be sold at surplus sales

What you once could lease is now available to purchase.

The Memorial Union's longtime art rental program is discontinuing this year, and more than 200 framed posters and prints will be for sale at ISU Surplus' regular weekly sales, beginning Aug. 5-6, at 925 Airport Rd. A range of print sizes and styles start at $10, and most pieces are priced between $25 and $45. The first sale dates are:

• Tuesday, Aug. 5 (10 a.m.-noon), sale open to ISU departments, ISU Research Park, state-funded entities and recognized nonprofit agencies
• Wednesday, Aug. 6 (9 a.m.-3 p.m.), public sale

The MU's art rental program started in the mid-1970s as a strategy to make art accessible to more people by being affordable and temporary -- a niche market for a city and campus continually in transition. Over the years, the collection has served hundreds of students, faculty, staff and community members, and at its peak included nearly 300 pieces. The program was self-supporting, and in the last 15 years any surplus income supported exhibits in the Memorial Union Art Gallery.

Questions may be directed to MU arts coordinator Letitia Kenemer or surplus manager Curtis Hardman.