On Tuesday, November 14, upper-level photo students visited Mr. Hugh J. Freund’s ’63 private gallery in Ashley Falls, Massachusetts. 

Mr. Freund is an attorney who specializes in art law. He has served as the Commissioner of The Art Commission of New York and is currently a member of the Board of Overseers of The Hood Museum of Art at Dartmouth College. He collects photography and exhibits his collection in The Art Barn Gallery.

Mr. Freund returned to campus this fall to celebrate his class’ 60-year reunion. After visiting photography classes at the school, he invited students to view his private collection. 

The gallery includes works from renowned photographers Ethiopian American contemporary artist Julie Mehretu, American photographer Gregory Crewdwson, photojournalist James Nachtwey, and Japanese architect-turned-photographer Hiroshi Sugimoto.

Mr. Greg Lock, director of photography, film, and related media, said, “Mr. Freund is interested in outreach to the community. On the tour he gave to our class, it was really clear that Freund has a passion for the photographs he has collected. When I asked him whether he saw art as a good investment, Mr. Freund said it’s crucial to love the art that you collect.”

Phoebe Hackett ’24, a student in Photography Portfolio, said, “Going to see Mr. Freund’s gallery allowed me to see how I could potentially take my art to the next level. Also, I took away certain characteristics that constitute a ‘good’ photo through all the different photography styles explored within his collection.”