SEATTLE—Patrons and major collectors have promised to give nearly 1,000 works of art to the

John Singleton Copley, "Portrait of Silvester Gardiner," c. 1172.

Seattle Art Museum in celebration of its 75th anniversary in 2008. From more than 40 separate collections, key categories include modern and contemporary, American and European, along with others boosting the museum’s already strong Asian and Native American collections.

“With these gifts, we’ll now have a strength in American art from the 18th century to the 20th century,” says museum director Mimi Gates. “We have great depth in African, Asian and Northwest Coast art.” Landmark works promised include a 1926 version of Constantin Brancusi’s “Bird in Space,” Edward Hopper’s iconic “Chop Suey,” Ellsworth Kelly’s “Blue, Green Red II” and John Singleton Copley’s circa-1772 portrait of Silvester Gardiner—the museum’s first 18th-century painting.

Gates says some of the museum’s present gaps can be filled, as promised modern Japanese and Chinese works will complement SAM’s already impressive Asian art holdings. “About 18 months ago, we decided to actively work with collectors to ensure the great collections in Seattle would stay in Seattle.”

The total value of the gifts given to the museum is reported to be in the neighborhood of $1 billion—rather cost-prohibitive if SAM were to attempt to acquire these works at one time. “It’s essential that museums work with collectors,” Gates says. “More than 90 percent of acquisitions are through working with or as gifts from collectors.” For more information, call 206.343.1101 or visit www.seattleartmuseum.org.