Picture of dude with famous boxer

Curtis Collins is pretty gosh-darn excited about the Art Gallery of Algoma's latest acquisitions.

The gallery director is shown holding a photograph of boxer Donovan "Razor" Ruddock, taken by world-renowned photographer Larry Fink.

Fink's boxing portfolio is one of three photography collections recently added to the Art Gallery of Algoma's permanent collection, along with those of Lois Conner and Andrea Modica.

"We already have an impressive photography collection," said Collins. "The gallery's popularity, new look and new approach is beginning to attract new donors. Because we don't have an acquisition budget per se, donors are becoming increasingly important in terms of augmenting the permanent collection in an important way."

Collins estimates the value of all three collections at approximately $150,000.

He told SooToday.com that donating works to a smaller gallery, such as the Art Gallery of Algoma, has advantages over offering the same pieces to larger galleries.

For one, the donations can be processed very quickly and patrons are confident that their works will actually be seen by the community to which the collection is entrusted, not simply stored in a basement vault.

Because exhibitions at the Art Gallery of Algoma are turned over every eight to 10 weeks, parts of the permanent collection are often showcased.

"Donors like to see that," he explained. "Their thought is that they're adding something to a public trust and the people of Sault Ste. Marie and the Algoma region as a whole are afforded the opportunity to enjoy the gallery's permanent collection on a regular basis."

Fink's boxing portfolio will be featured during an upcoming Art Gallery of Algoma exhibition that opens Thursday, May 6 and runs through to Sunday, July 11.

All the World's a Stage will also include photographs from Edward Steichen and Pierre Charrier.

The exhibition is be co-curated by local photographer James Wishon and Art Gallery of Algoma curator Monica Vaes.

"That's another way in which we provide access to the collection and try to cultivate local experts," said Collins. "It helps us look at the collection with fresh eyes. The fact that these new photography collections are in a gallery of this size, and a community of this size is truly exceptional."