Dr. O. Christian Bredrup, Jr. recently made a major gift to the museum to honor his wife Betsy, a longtime Council member. From assisting the Art History professor loading slides into the projector as an undergraduate at Hollins to working at the Museum of Modern Art in the publications department and completing her graduate degree at VCU, Betsy’s passion for learning and the arts has been the common thread in all her endeavors. It is a gift she freely shared with hundreds of students during her thirty years as an Art History teacher at St. Christopher’s School. Her dedication inspired Chris to make a $1 million commitment to the Elizabeth Moncure Bredrup Endowment for Education.
“After Betsy retired, there were numerous occasions when her former students would appear in public places and warmly greet her with declarations of how much her class had meant to them and how much they appreciated her exposing them to the works of the great artists,” Chris recalls. “What better way to honor my wife is there than to provide the seed money for an educational fund directed primarily toward young persons?” Income from the Bredrup Endowment will provide unrestricted support for the museum’s educational programs, particularly those that serve teenagers.
“I am humbled by this wonderful gift,” says Betsy. “After spending so much time at VMFA with my students, volunteering through the Council, and enjoying the collections and exhibitions as a member, I am delighted that my husband’s gift will support the museum’s educational mission.” Chris adds, “We hope that this endowment will help instill a love for the visual arts in young people that they will carry with them throughout their lives just as Betsy did for so many years as a teacher.”
We invite you to learn more about the Campaign for the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts by visiting this page or contacting Jasmonn Coleman, Assistant Deputy Director of Development, at campaign@VMFA.museum or 804.340.5529.