140. That’s the number of artworks Dr. Sheldon Peck and his wife Leena donated to the Ackland Art Museum Wednesday. And these aren’t just any pieces of art, but rare European master drawings, valued at $17 million.

Peck also gave the Ackland an $8 million endowment to support museum development. UNC Chancellor Carol Folt said with the inclusion of seven Rembrandt drawings, it’s an important addition to the museum and university.

“We get to celebrate what is absolutely a giant step forward for the Ackland,” she said. “This is the largest gift ever received by our museum with this amazing collection of international significance brought to us right here to live in North Carolina.”

Peck attended UNC for undergraduate and dental school in the 1960s. Since then, he practiced orthodontics and taught at Harvard. Peck said he has always appreciated art, and enjoyed collecting it, but he’s excited to give to a museum that appreciates it as much as he does.

Katie Ziglar, Leena and Sheldon Peck and Carol Folt take in Ackland Art donation. Photo via Blake Hodge.

“These precious artworks are original one-of-a-kind drawings,” he said. “Old master drawings from the Netherlands represent the best of civilization. After years of receiving our most studious cases, these masterworks continue to illicit pleasure, learning and awe: the ultimate paybacks from art.”

Museum director Katie Ziglar said there will be a traveling art exhibit in the future, but the art collection will live, and stay for awhile first at the Ackland.

“The future of the Ackland is bright,” she said. “Here we are, in the presence of 17th Century masters on January 25, 2017. Headed to that future. What treasures we are bringing with us.”

Peck said even though the pieces of coveted art now belong to the Ackland, the museum will take high resolution photos of the artwork and will share them online.

“We really feel that especially with the internet, our great works that we’ve put together will be available to anyone in the world,” he said. “And what a better place to reside in safety and care and nourishment than here at the wonderful Ackland.”

With their gift, the Pecks said they hope to inspire a deeper appreciation for Dutch masters’ artwork. The Pecks’ endowment will also create a new position at the museum for a curator of European and American art for the Peck Collection.

Related Stories
‹
Paintings Worth $12.1 Million Donated to the Ackland Art Museum
Three paintings valued at $12.1 million dollars have been donated to the Ackland Art Museum‘s permanent collection of post-war and contemporary art. The donation comes from longtime supporter of UNC and parent of three Carolina graduates, Jane Roughton Kearns. The three paintings bequeathed to the Ackland consist of two by Joan Mitchell (1925-1992) and one by Milton Avery […]
'Let's Fulfill That Obligation': UNC Chancellor Lee Roberts, Preparing for Another Year
UNC Chancellor Lee Roberts discusses many of the issues facing Carolina ahead of the start of the 2026-27 school year.
'It's Going to Be a Terrific Year': UNC Gears Up for FDOC
The Chapel Hill summer is wrapping up this weekend, as UNC students return to campus ahead of the first day of class on Monday.
The Morning News: Expanding the Arts, Chatham Transit, Michael Lombardi
In today's news: the Eno Arts Mill is set to reopen, UNC moves to expand the Ackland Art Museum, and Michael Lombardi speaks out.
UNC's Ackland Art Museum Preparing for $70 Million Expansion, Earns Early Spending Authority for Project
UNC's Ackland Art Museum is exploring options for its first significant upgrades in decades, with plans to more than double its footprint.
The Morning News: Expanding the Ackland, Envisioning Carolina North
In today's news: UNC officials tour the future Carolina North site - and move forward on a big expansion of the Ackland Art Museum.
When UNC Didn't Offer a Class About the Art Market, a Student Created It Herself
There is always an interesting class to take at UNC-Chapel Hill, but not one exclusively focused on the business side of the art world.
Talking Culture: Introducing Shalini Le Gall, New Director of the Ackland Art Museum
Shalini Le Gall, the new director of UNC's Ackland Art Museum, stops by to discuss her background and ongoing exhibitions at the museum.
'That Is The Point Of Higher Education': UNC Medical Professors Stress the Intangibles
Should college classes only focus on the skills that translate directly into higher pay? UNC medical professors agree: absolutely not.
'Identifying A Place': Artist Behind New Mural at UNC Shares Inspiration, Installation Process
If you’ve driven by the Craige Parking Deck on Manning Drive recently, you might have noticed the UNC-run deck getting several new splashes of color on its sides. It’s the latest piece by internationally-known artist Amalia Pica, and was commissioned by the university to be a permanent fixture. After celebrating the installation with the university […]
›