About
The Hastings Collection is comprised of 23 art works including paintings, drawings and sculptures. Don (LC 1938) and Virginia Hastings donated these works to the Fine Arts Collection in 1992. During Homecoming 1993, the Hastings visited the Luther campus to celebrate Don's 55th class reunion and view "The Hastings Collection" exhibit which was installed in Preus Library at the time.
In addition to donations to the Fine Arts Collection, Don and Virginia Hastings also donated their extensive collection of monographs and periodicals focusing on art of the American west to the Luther College Library in 1992.
More Information on Don Hastings Collection
Don and Virginia began to collect art of the American west in 1977 while living in California. At that time, they visited the Thackeray Art Gallery in San Diego, California, where they purchased a painting by Douglas Weaver entitled Nino Cochise. From that time forward, they visited artists and galleries, subscribed to magazines featuring western art, and purchased works that focused on "real life" themes. Don passed away in 1998 at the age of 84.
Highlights of the collection feature a number of portraits including an oil and a watercolor of John Wayne painted by Roy Hampton from a life sitting. Another significant part of the collection is the Native American portraits, including portraits of Chief Henry Oscar One Bull and Nino Cochise. Most of this collection's sculptures were carved from wood. Some are by Glenn Emmons, with whom the Hastings were personally acquainted, and others were carved by Bob Mavis. The collection also includes a bronze sculpture entitled Honey Hunters, which was a 1970s casting of a 1920 sculpture by Charles M. Russell. This piece was offered for sale by the Montana Historical Society when purchased by Don and Virginia Hastings.