Ellington

Art lovers Herb and Dorothy Vogel celebrated their engagement by purchasing a vase by Pablo Picasso. Soon after they were married, the couple acquired a metal sculpture by American artist John Chamberlain.

Despite limited financial means, the Vogels managed to collect more than 4,000 pieces of artwork since their marriage in 1962. What is most impressive is that Dorothy, a librarian for the Brooklyn, N.Y. public library system and Herb, a United States Post Office Employee, devoted their lives to supporting artists and collecting art as a form of self-expression.

Today, the Vogel's collection travels around the country for the public's enjoyment. In 1992, the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., obtained an agreement with the Vogels to establish stewardship of their collection. Since then the Vogels have doubled the size of their collection through gifts and purchases, and established "The Herb and Dorothy Vogel Collection: Fifty Works for Fifty States" project. The couple created the project to share their art with museums around the country.

The exhibit includes 2,500 drawings, paintings, objects, prints and photographs by 177 artists. Contemporary minimal and conceptual art dominates the collection, with works by Will Barnet, Robert Barry, Lynda Benglis, Dan Graham and others.

"The Herb and Dorothy Vogel Collection: Fifty Works for Fifty States" runs April 10 through Sept. 12 at the Mississippi Museum of Art. Admission is $5 for adults and $4 for students and seniors. For more information call 601-960-1515 or visit http://www.vogel5050.org.