Sunday, September 23, 2018 through November 11, 2018
Abner Hershberger Art Gallery

Haitian Arts: The Hunsberger Collection and the Nyai Oyer Gamelan

Arlin and Naomi Hunsberger purchased their first Haitian painting, not for themselves, but as a gift for a volunteer completing their assignment in Haiti in the early 1960's. That purchase, however, started them on a path that touched many Haitian artists and evolved into a collection of art that reveals the rhythms of Haitian life - and depicts the everyday, the historical and the legend. A decades long relationship with Issa el Saieh, the owner of Galerie Essa, exposed them to many different artist, subjects and mediums, and the hours spent in the gallery became the basis for many relationships with artist, dignitaries, tourists and native Haitians alike.

Arlin and Naomi Hunsberger: "Now the bittersweet time has come for us to bequeath our collection of Haitian art, and we are pleased to announce that Goshen College will be the recipient of this gift. We are honored to pass along this collection of art for future generations of students, faculty and visitors, that it might inspire an understanding of Haitian culture and the fascinating world of Haitian art. Most of all we hope that it brings pleasure and enjoyment, as it was a joy for us to collect. We hope that our selections reflect the magnificent wealth of creativity and artistic energy that inspired us to begin our journey 40 years ago, and it makes us happy to know that the wonderful talent of these world renowned artists will be accessible to the public."

The Goshen College community is proud to display a portion of the Nyai Oyer Gamelan (which translates to "Sister Oyer Gamelan") in the Hershberger Gallery along with the Hunsberger Haitian Art Collection. The gamelan - a set of traditional, percussive instruments from the Indonesian island of Java, was gifted to GC by Duane Gingerich in 2011. A 1969 GC graduate, Duane spent the last 15 years of his 26 year legal career in Jakarta as an international partner with a global law firm. Though he passed away in February, 2016, his wife, Reti, has worked with the college to see her husband's wish come true.

The word "gamelan" comes from the Javanese word "gamel", meaning to strike or hammer. Gamelans typically feature a variety of instruments similar to xylophones, drums and gongs. The rhythmic music created is very spiritual in Indonesian culture and often includes supplementary, symbolic dancers and vocalists.

Eventually, the gamelan will make its way to a permanently remodeled space where it can be used academically by music students, and as an outreach with other colleges and universities, primary and secondary schools, civic groups and visitors.

Contact: Veronica J Berkey, phone 7400, email vberkey@goshen.edu