Gallery Space Renamed the Robert Purser Art Gallery After Longtime Art Instructor

A visionary leader and founding faculty member, Robert (Bob) Purser’s vision and determination to establish an art gallery led to the eventual construction of the beautiful gallery space we now enjoy at Bellevue College. Purser was hired in 1966 to become the first art instructor at the new Bellevue Community College, where he inspired students for 44 years. In his honor the Bellevue College art gallery has been renamed the Bob Purser Art Gallery in recognition of Purser’s remarkable achievements in art and education.  A dedication was held at the Gallery on Tuesday, Oct. 8, sponsored by the BC Foundation.

Guided Campus Design

Connie Wais, former BC interior design instructor, provides insight into how the design of the campus evolved: “Since Bob was involved with the original design of the campus he told me that the plan was based on that of an Italian hill town, with their characteristic central courtyard and buildings arranged around the perimeter and bisected by two major axes setting up a quadrant (thus the original buildings A, B, C, and D). Another common characteristic of the hill towns are the bell towers and lookout towers so the faculty offices and restrooms are located in those symbolic “towers.”

Established Art and Interior Design Programs

Bob was instrumental in establishing not only the Art Department but the Interior Design Program at Bellevue College as well. Wais said, “He worked closely with Doris Katz, who was the first Interior Design faculty member and Department Chair, to create the program that has become the premier program that it is today.  They designed the Interior Design degree to have a strong fine arts core that gave Interior Design students a robust foundation in drawing, color theory, 2-D and 3-D design, and art history.” 

Support for Gallery Dedication

Kenny Carlson and Tom Nielsen, avid supporters of Bellevue College and the Bellevue College Foundation, made a generous contribution to name the Gallery in Purser’s memory. Tom serves on the BC Foundation Board of Directors, is a BC alum, as well as a former faculty member, dean and Vice President of Instruction.

 “For several years, many people who knew and worked with Bob, both at the college and in the community, have believed that naming the gallery would be a fitting tribute to honor Bob for his role in the development of BC art programs and the impact on thousands of students who have benefitted from his work.,” said Nielsen, “Kenny and I were fortunate to be able to provide resources to the foundation for student scholarships and at the same time turn the aspiration for the Bob Purser Gallery into a reality.”