The WVU College of Creative Arts and Media is celebrating 30 years of the Deem Distinguished Lecture Series. Alison and Patrick Deem’s unwavering support to this and many other College initiatives has transformed how faculty, students and the community engage in the arts.
Alison, from Bridgeport, West Virginia, graduated from the West Virginia University College of Education and Human Services in 1970 and has since served on numerous university committees.
In 2004, the Deems established the J. Bernard Schultz Endowed Professorship, which honors former Dean Bernie Schultz and provides funding to support research and creative activity by a professor of art and design at WVU. Along with numerous other financial contributions, the Deems contributed $100,000 towards constructing the Art Museum of WVU, which opened in 2015. In 2023, they committed $250,000 towards making the museum the home for the world’s premier collection of works by renowned American modernist and West Virginia native Blanche Lazzell.
I think that art adds a dimension to life that nourishes the soul. There are many different forms of art and appreciation of art. It stretches our minds and challenges us. What do we like? Why or why not? It introduces ways of looking at everyday things, perhaps different interpretations of what we thought we knew and liked. Art opens our minds to new ideas. Alison Deem
Perhaps one of the Deems' most well-known contributions to WVU is the School of Art and Design’s Deem Distinguished Lecture Series. Since 1995, the Deems have annually funded visits from internationally acclaimed artists. While serving on the visiting committee, the couple became acquainted with Bernard Schultz, who chaired the department.
“We admired him and the faculty for their dedication to the education of the students and were constantly amazed by how much they could do without a lot of money. When asked if we would consider funding a lecture series to benefit the students, we were immediately on board.”
Deem Distinguished Artist Eames Demetrios, 2020
Deem Distinguished Artist Rebecca Morgan, 2021
Deem Distinguished Artist Danielle Krysa, 2024
Each Deem Distinguished Artist shares their art and advice with the next generation of visual artists and the greater Morgantown community.
“The lecturers bring the outside art world to Morgantown,” Alison said. “It’s a way of preparing the students for the world they will enter upon graduation. It is also a way of educating those of us who are not in the art world. The lectures expose all of us to provocative ideas yet expand our horizons to consider alternate ways of thinking.”
The Deems' annual visit to the School of Art and Design during the series has become a beloved tradition.
“The last 30 years of this series has been a gift to the entire Morgantown community,” said Keith Jackson, dean of the College of Creative Arts and Media. “One of the highlights of each year is getting to really know the work of an artist who I have heard of but have not studied. Hearing them speak about their process elevates my appreciation of the creative artist we bring to campus every spring for this series.”
In 2012, Alison was inducted into the Order of Vandalia, the highest honor for extraordinary service to West Virginia University. In 2013, she was named a “distinguished friend” of the College of Creative Arts and Media (then College of Creative Arts), a special recognition given to an individual who is not an alumnus of the College, but who has demonstrated extraordinary commitment and contributions to the College and West Virginia University.
This spring, the Art Museum of WVU is featuring “Thirty: Celebrating 30 Years of the Deem Distinguished Lecture Series,” which includes works from several of the 30 Deem Distinguished Lecture Series artists Alison and Patrick have brought to WVU. We also invite you to attend the 2025 Deem Distinguished Lecture, featuring Devan Shimoyama, on March 6 at 5 p.m. in the Canady Creative Arts Center.
Watch Archived Deem Distinguished Artist Lectures Learn More about Giving to CCAM