Waterville Couple Gives Priceless Artwork To Local College

School officials announced Thursday that private collectors, Peter and Paula Lunder have donated more than $100 million dollars worth of artwork to the school.

The collection includes more than 500 paintings, sculptures and prints, by artists like James Mcneill Whistler, Winslow Homer and Mary Cassatt.

School President, William Adams said the the gift is the single largest ever given to Colby College.

"It's a huge boon to the museum first and foremost." Adams said. "It makes an already wonderful place, truly extraordinary in terms of the depth and breadth of the collection."

Adams added the new works will compliment the museum's already full compliment of masterpieces.

"For the students and the faculty and the teaching mission of the college its also an extraordinary gift. This will enable us to connect students to pieces of art and to the work of artists that really gives them an unparalleled exposure to american art particularly."

Currently about one quarter of the Lunder collection is on display at the museum. Colby officials plan to build a new wing on the museum to house the art work. They expect the project to be completed in 2013.