Fine Arts Library
The Frederick and Kazuko Harris Fine Arts Library is located on the 3rd floor of Alden Library.
The collection offers a blended delivery of resources, which incorporates traditional research methods with cutting-edge digital technology to aid students in their research and artistic endeavors. Relying on books, periodicals, visual media, and electronic databases, the Fine Arts Library complements the study of all aspects of the visual arts, including art history, architectural history, theory, criticism, materials, techniques, and practice.
The Library is particularly strong in the fields of photography and the arts of Asia.
The Fine Arts Library encourages and supports critical engagement, and the examination and experimentation of ideas that connect the arts to their contexts in the world.
We are grateful for the financial generosity and support of Frederick and Kazuko Harris in establishing the Fine Arts Library to support the College of Fine Arts and other research needs.
Frederick & Kazuko Harris
Dr. Frederick Harris began his art library patronage at Alden Library in the early 1990’s. A graduate of the Art Center School in Los Angeles, he had a long career in interior design as head of a large firm in Tokyo. Those years in Japan lead to an interest in the traditional art of sumi-e painting; Fred became an honored master. Eventually, he was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun Medal by the Emperor of Japan.
Fred & his wife Kazuko built an impressive library of fine art books. In 1994, they began to transfer their library to Alden. In 2004, the Fine Arts Library was dedicated in their names. By 2011, the collection had been received – making the Harris Library unique in its vast holdings of finely printed books about the art of Japan and the east. Dr. Harris also donated his collected art objects, which include a number of unique pottery pieces.
The Harris Fine Arts Library Collection is one of the treasures of Alden, and will provide material not available anywhere else to researchers in numerous disciplines.
Harris Fine Arts Library Collection
The Harris Fine Arts Library Collection offers a diverse collection of art objects that encompass many disciplines, from pottery and ceramics to paintings and carvings. Originating mainly in Asia, this one-of-a-kind cultural record will appeal to both artists and researchers at every level. Browse, sort, organize & download hi-res images for academic uses.
Search and browse the Harris Collection.
Yao Ceremonial Artifacts Collection
As a research and study collection, the Frederick and Kazuko Harris Fine Arts Library maintains this one of a kind cultural resource, likely the largest of it’s kind. Consisting of approximately 2000 pieces of ceremonial and temple art from the north of Vietnam, these materials support the scholarly research needs of various programs and departments campus-wide. Available to scholars, faculty members and graduate students only. Others may utilize the collection with permission from the curator. The collection features a generous sampling of head dress-type objects, small and large hand scrolls, hanging scrolls, some books and textiles.
Images are made available to the campus community through a variety of online outlets:
- in the Libraries’ Digital Collections
- on ArtSTOR (Athens and Chillicothe campus affiliates only)
- on Flickr