In November, York opened the newly-named Joan & Martin Goldfarb Centre for Fine Arts in recognition of the Goldfarbs' $3.75-million gift to the University's Faculty of Fine Arts ­ an impressive collection of art works and a donation towards capital improvements.

The art collection provides students and researchers with a rare opportunity for hands-on access to original works of art for study purposes. It includes 67 culturally significant pieces, mainly from the post-war period: 30 paintings, 12 sculptures, 23 works on paper and two textiles by Canadian and international artists such as Jean-Paul Riopelle, Paul-Emile Borduas, Jean-Paul Lemieux, Andy Warhol and Milton Avery.

The centre will house the donated Goldfarb collection as well as other works from the University's collection. Capital improvements of the gift include 15 individual studios for graduate students, a new seminar room, and refurbishing the drawing and painting studios in the Department of Visual Arts.

Reproductions courtesy of the Martin Goldfarb Collection/York University Art Collection; photography: Thomas Moore

This page top right: Art donors Martin and Joan Goldfarb (centre) flanked by Marshall Cohen, Chair, York's Board of Governors (far left); Avie Bennett, University chancellor (second from right); and Phillip Silver, dean of Fine Arts.

Bottom right: Fine Arts Dean Phillip Silver (left) with York President Lorna R. Marsden (centre) and Joan Goldfarb on opening night.

Below: Details of works featured in the new Joan and Martin Goldfarb Centre for Fine Arts. From left to right : Adolph Gottlieb. Untitled, 1963. Ink and oil on paper. 17.75"x11.75"; Jean McEwen. Verticale Descendant des Mauves, 1962. Acrylic on canvas. 90"x75"; Alexander Calder. Untitled. 1971, Gouache. 29"x42.75"; Jean-Paul Riopelle. Lampions, 1958. Oil on canvas. 51"x64".