Celebrating the Legacy of Fred R. Schwartz Through a Gift to Kean University Galleries and Collections

July 30, 2026


Fred R. Schwartz, 1st Prize Water Soluable Media, presented by George Grosz, June 1956

The Kean University Foundation recently received several works of art from the estate of Fred R. Schwartz, Ph.D., for inclusion in the permanent collection of Kean University Galleries and Collections. Donated by his children, these pieces serve as a meaningful tribute to Schwartz, whose contributions helped shape the University’s artistic identity.

A distinguished artist, scholar and educator, Schwartz founded Kean’s fine arts program and played a pivotal role in building the University’s Art Department into one of the leading programs within New Jersey’s public university system. As an accomplished abstract painter and sculptor, he inspired generations of students to pursue careers in the arts and art education.

This generous gift ensures that Schwartz’s creative spirit will continue to enrich the Kean community for years to come. Now part of the permanent collection at Kean University Galleries and Collections, these works stand as a lasting tribute to his enduring legacy and to the transformative power of the arts at Kean University.

Through the Kean University Foundation, alumni, friends and supporters can also help preserve Schwartz’s legacy by making gifts to Kean University Galleries and Collections that will help expand the permanent collection and create new opportunities for students and the broader community to engage with the arts.

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