The Alliance of the Sheldon Swope Art Museum
Officers
Patricia McIntyre
Cathie Laska
John Gedrick, III
Jacquelyn Bradfield
President
Vice-President
Secretary
Treasurer
History
The Sheldon Swope Art Gallery, Inc., opened in 1942 because of the generosity and foresight of Mr. Sheldon Swope, a Terre Haute jeweler. When he died in 1929, his will specified that a "public art gallery shall be established in Terre Haute." He further directed that works of art be purchased, accumulated, and "...displayed publicly and free of charge to all residents of Terre Haute and Vigo County, forever."
The Alliance was founded in 1952 to promote the Swope's exhibition program. The seven founding members were Shellie Allen (Mrs. P. E.), Louise Baur (Mrs. Oscar), Margaret Carroll (Mrs. George), Frances Cornell (Mrs. F. Burch), and Margarat Yeager (Mrs. Ralph). Members of the Alliance serve as volunteers, hostesses, docents, and sponsors for exhibitions and fundraising events.
In 1972, the Swope was the first art museum in Indiana to be accredited by the American Association of Museums. Our 'Gallery' became a museum in 1988. The museum expanded to the first floor of the building with more space for exhibiting the finest collection of American art in Indiana.
In 1998, the museum began a restoration of this landmark facility. New first floor galleries opened in 1999, and four restored galleries reopened in 2000. The Alliance funded the beautiful reception desk in the lobby. This work was completed in 2003. Now in 2024, the Swope is well on its way to completing a capital campaign that will restore our beloved old building and prepare it for a long and glorious future.
Life Members
David Adams
Ferial Alsikafi
Pauline Anshutz
Eileen Baker
Mary Louise Bell
Jacquelyn Bradfield
Rod Bradfield
Linda Britt
Sheron J. Dailey
Amanda Davis
Susan Dinkel
Connie Francis
Elisabeth Friedman
Gregory Gibson
Margot Gillespie
Bernice Helman
Susan Hodge
Judy Hogan
Sharron Jolly
Jan Keffer
Sara Laughlin
Dana Levine
Roberta Marietta
John McIntyre
Patricia McIntyre
Diann McKee
Harriett McNeal
Kathleen Meany
Alane Meis
Elizabeth Meyer
Brenda Milliren
Jane Morse
Fred Nation
Nancy Nation
Eunice Pate
Eileen Prose
Nancy Rubey
Al Ruckriegel
Barbara D. Schmitt
Norma Schmitz
Thomas Schmitz
Rick Shagley
Virginia Smith
Carolyn Steinbaugh
Judy Stoffel
Terre Haute Mayor
Patty Thoms
Lynn Van Etten
Allen Varner
Gerri Varner
Barbara Vogel
Stephanie Welsh
Sally Whitehurst
Alyce Williamson
Join the Alliance
To learn more about the Alliance please contact Patricia McIntyre at patricia@pqmcintyre.com.