The Calvin and Inès Seerveld Collection at Trinity
-Michael Vander Weele ’73
Calvin Seerveld has bequeathed to Trinity the collection of 80+ art works–including two stunning sculptures–that he and his wife, Inès, have collected or been given through the years. The collection includes art works acquired by the previous two generations of Inès’ family in Europe as well as works by contemporary artists whom Cal and Inès have encouraged. The official Opening will be held on February 6 at 5:00 p.m. A portion of the collection will be on display in the Seerveld Art Gallery for the rest of the month, after which many pieces will find a more permanent home around campus.
Friends of the College and former students count Professor Seerveld as the major influence on their own and Trinity’s formative years. He left an enduring legacy by helping design Trinity’s original curriculum, giving his early academic career to encouraging students to think Christianly about their culture and their academic disciplines, establishing social action seminars for students and community, and presenting many chapel meditations, later collected in Take Hold of God and Pull and For God’s Sake, Run with Joy. His books on aesthetics are still used by art and philosophy majors at Trinity and elsewhere.
This generous gift fits Cal’s demonstrated love for Trinity. Some years back I had the privilege of writing a short profile of Cal as one of the strong influences in my and others’ Christian education. The publishers wanted a title. I finally decided upon “The Showing Professor.” Part of that was the work he did beyond textbook and classroom, like going out to interview gospel singer Mahalia Jackson, hiring an atheist from the University of Chicago so students could learn the kind of dialogue that would require, helping set up the Patmos Art Gallery. A big part was just the way he was in the classroom, turning to the chalk board to make a point, his left heel off the ground, bits of chalk flying, in his enthusiasm for his subject and his students.
This art gift fits those interests. The works from the Seerveld collection were mostly gathered from the walls of their home. Cal’s deep interest is in showing the place art can have in the ordinary life of a Christian. Or of a Christian college.
This bequest follows many other demonstrations of the Seervelds’ love for the College: lectures for students and alumni, dramatic performances of the Song of Songs and Ecclesiastes, the dedication of the Seerveld Art Gallery, the establishment of the Seerveld Arts in Society Fund, and now the Seerveld Art Collection. Alumnus Peter Enneson has worked tirelessly on the Toronto end to make this gift possible. Professors emeriti Brad Breems, John Bakker, and I, stewards of the Seerveld Arts in Society Fund, have worked steadily on the Trinity end to prepare for it.
We invite you to help us celebrate at the Opening Reception on February 6, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. CDT in the Seerveld Gallery, located in the Art and Communication Center on the campus of Trinity Christian College.
Post-event Update 02/28/25
Transportation of the Seerveld art bequest from Toronto to Palos Heights started on October 3rd. Founding Professor Calvin Seerveld wanted to have the first installment arrive in time for President Aaron Kuecker’s Inauguration and the 65th anniversary of the start of the College. Professors emeriti Brad Breems and John Bakker met alumnus Peter Enneson at Cal’s house in Toronto and packed 8 paintings and one amazing sculpture (by Trinity alumna Joyce Recker) into a rental van for the return trip to Palos Heights, where the handsome display was presented on the 2nd floor of the ARCC.
Four months later, on February 6, a date that coincided with the annual winter Board meeting, the gallery opened with about half of the 85 pieces in the Inès and Calvin Seerveld Art Collection on display. There was an hour-long celebration that included welcomes, histories, an introduction to the collection, and a poem commissioned from alumnus John Terpstra for the event. Some of the paintings came from Inès’ mother and grandfather, recognized art collectors in the previous two generations of her family. Others came from works Cal had used for illustrations in his translation of The Greatest Song. Still, others came, as Cal described, “from young faith-aware artists who were trying to be faithful with the talent the Lord gave them but had to exercise their craft in unfriendly circumstances.”
The reception began with introductions by Ryan Thompson, Chair of the Art Department, and by President Aaron Kuecker, followed by a description by Brad Breems of the formative influence Seerveld had on the College in its first 13 years as well as his 12 interactions with the College since 1993. After my (Michael Vander Weele) introduction, poet (and alumnus) John Terpstra read “Slant Poem,” commissioned for the opening, and John Bakker gave a 20-minute lecture introducing the collection.
Trinity students from the class of 1974, Gene and Faith Schoon, were enthused by the depth of fellowship at the reception, stating, “Renewing old friendships from 50 + years ago was a delight—we weren’t expecting to see so many of our friends from that brief, but very important, part of our lives at this event.” Gene continued, “What wasn’t a surprise was the reminder of how important Dr. Seerveld’s teachings about art and aesthetics lived on after his departure, something we knew already upon arriving on campus the year after he left.”
Cal writes, “As family we trust that the Inès and Calvin Seerveld bequest will be a blessing to Trinity Christian College in its outreach to be redemptive somehow in the imaginative life of students, neighbours and visitors.” Both this bequest and Seerveld’s formative influence are blessings for the College.
Photos below from the gallery opening:
Pictured below from left to right: Professors emeriti Brad Breems and Micahel Vander Weele
Pictured below from left to right: John Terpstra and professor emeritus John Bakker
