Dr. Milton Cohen, a Cummings scholar who reviewed the collection, wrote in 1993: Moreover, the collection houses several of Cummings' major abstract oils from his early years (1919-24) - paintings which received considerable attention when they were first exhibited and that represent a significant contribution to post-war American modernism." The School of Arts and Performance currently is raising funds to restore the collection and plans to exhibit it widely. We are asking for private support to "adopt an E.E. Cummings." Patrons are invited to select one (or more!) of Cummings' works and finance its restoration. To learn more about the Watson Collection and how to "adopt an E.E. Cummings," please contact the Dean's Office at (585) 395-2350.
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"Without question, the Brockport collection is the largest and most valuable single collection of Cummings' paintings. In helping us to appreciate the full breadth of his achievement as an artist of "twin obsessions" (as Cummings put it), the Brockport collection is essential.
Cummings, however, frequently painted on non-archival materials (including paper and shirt cardboard) and time has taken a toll on the pieces. Consequently, the collection has not been exhibited in decades. Deteriorating supports, punctures, tears, stains, creases and dirt are some of the problems that need to be addressed by conservators.