Collect Call: All About Jim Rustad

Collect Call: Exploring Art Patronage offers us a view into 8 collections in the Twin Cities. We're spotlighting a collector a day during the week of the exhibition.
 

Today we have the pleasure of spotlighting Jim Rustad.

Jim Rustad is a life-long twin cities resident, and a former or current board member of Park Square Theatre, COMPAS, The Weisman Art Museum and The Minnesota Museum of American Art.  Several years ago he retired from a career which included practicing law, being a financial services advisor, and a college teaching.  Jim and his significant other, Kay Thomas, live in lower town St. Paul.
 

When did you start your collection? What was the inspiration?

Since others began to refer to our paintings, prints, glass and wooden objects, pottery and other odds and ends as an “art collection”, I have slowly gotten used to that term, but I don’t use it often.  For a much longer time I have appreciated having a home where living with art is an everyday experience in all of its spaces (even the laundry room).  The initial inspiration was simply the recognition of how good it feels to do so. Other inspiration has come from many visits to art museums, galleries and studios, and to the homes of artists and collectors.

Roughly how many pieces of art do you own?

To know that, I would need to know better what “art” includes.  It seems like you can find almost anything in an art museum somewhere.  How about objects of glass, fabric, clay, wood which are pleasing to the eye, but are also utilitarian?  Which photographic images?
. . . So, somewhere in the low hundreds, I guess.

 Is there a theme or focus in your collection?

Much of our art was produced by people whom we have met, even if only briefly.  So that tends to boil down to artists who live or have lived within a few hundred miles from home. We are attracted to art which may help produce a smile.

A huge thanks to Jim Rustad for participating in this exhibition!

More Information Here.