Situated at the grand entrance of the Elizabeth Boatwright Coker Performing Arts Center, the Martin Stein Gallery houses Coker College’s Virginia Brunstein Collection and Fine Arts Collection.

The Gallery is named for the late Martin Stein, a prominent land developer from Jacksonville, Florida.

The Brunstein Collection was given to the College in 1995 by the late Virginia Benton Brunstein, Class of 1929, and it includes a large variety of pre-Columbian and Oriental artifacts. From the Far East, the collection includes objects from China’s Shang (1766 to 1122 B.C.), Chou (1027 to 256 B.C.), Han (202 B.C. to 220 A.D.), and Tang (618 to 907 A.D.) dynasties, as well as more contemporary pieces from Japan. There are also several Ancient Middle Eastern objects in the Collection.

The pre-Columbian pieces in the Brunstein Collection include figurines, masks, bowls and other items from Central and South America dated from 500 B.C. to 950 A.D. as well as the later Maya and Inca cultures. Art from 19th and 20th century Mexico is also represented.

Virginia Brunstein and her late husband, Dr. I. A. Brunstein, lived in New York City and shared a love of music, opera, theater and the arts. Together, they traveled all over the world and accumulated this magnificent collection.

Coker College’s Fine Arts Collection is comprised of unique and rare works given to the College over the years by alumni and friends. It includes paintings by Edward Gay, Favrile Glass by Louis Comfort Tiffany, sculpture by Anna Hyatt Huntington, African folk art, and a large 18th century American gilt mirror. Two works by Coker art professors Jim Boden and Jean Grosser are also part of the Collection.

Contributors to the Coker College Fine Arts Collection include the late Alma Stubbs Crow, Class of 1928; the late Bertha West Nealey, Class of 1916; Regina Swygert Smith, Class of 1961; Robert J. Brown and B&C Associates of High Point, NC; the late Anna Hyatt Huntington; Susanne G. Linville; the late Carrie Lide Coker; and Jim and Jean Fort.

Various artifacts from the Brunstein Collection, mostly pre-Columbian, though the gilt ibis is Egyptian (c. 30 B.C.).

Chinese figurines from the Tang Dyansty (618-220 A.D.).

Detail, carved Yoruba panel.

Local school children visiting the gallery