Some people collect art as a commodity. Others collect art because they cannot live without it.

Robert Reedy, an art and ceramics professor at UCF, describes Dr. George and Norma Kottemann as the latter. The Kottemanns, who live in Peoris, IL, have already donated a portion of their collection of contemporary outdoor sculptures to UCF. Their goal is to donate their entire outdoor and indoor collection.

Reedy persuaded the Kottemanns, whom he knew from his time as head of the art department at Bradley University, to make the contribution.

"He said, ‘Gee, I have an idea. What do you think about giving your entire collection to UCF?’" George Kottemann says. "Because UCF is a new institution, relatively speaking, it could take the entire collection."

The sculptures are located at a variety of sites across the main campus. Sculptor John Henry’s "Sun Target #1," which students often refer to as "French fries," holds special meaning for George, who enjoys the nickname.

"Actually, that piece was the first time that anybody, and this was probably in the early 70s, had approached [Henry] specifically to buy a piece of his work," he says. The artist had told the Kottemanns that the piece would look beautiful in their backyard.

UCF currently has 37 pieces from their collection, which the couple describes as eclectic and special, and eventually 180 to 200 pieces will be displayed outdoors around campus and in gallery areas.

Both Kottemanns enjoy a sense of humor.

They like to celebrate new additions to their collection by having champagne with the artists, and meeting them whenever possible. George Rickey, the artist behind the sculpture located at the Burnett House, couldn’t join in celebrating with the Kottemanns, so they sent him a picture of champagne with the sculpture in the background.

George Kottemann’s background is in dentistry, which he said helps him appreciate sculpture on a smaller scale, while Norma’s background is in sociology. For them, one of the most rewarding aspects of giving their collection to UCF is the educational impact on the students and another outcome is the possibility of creating transformative experiences for everyone who sees their art.

"Knowing that perhaps thousands of people will see these pieces every day means a great deal to us," George says.

It was important for them to protect the collection in its entirety, something that UCF could do.

"We’ve never, ever sold a piece from our collection," he says. "They say three things destroy art collections: debt, divorce and death. We just didn’t want to see, if anything happened to us, that there would have to be a fire sale. It’s so important for us to know that it’s got a good home."

Reedy praises the collection.

"These are all world-class artists," he says, mentioning the George Rickey piece and the Bruce White climbing ribbons piece located by the bookstore as some of his favorites.

Jeannine Starr, director of development for the College of Arts and Humanities, is grateful that students can see sculptures from artists they read about in their textbooks.

"I believe the Kottemanns’ passion for art reflects who they are as a couple, and as a family," she says. "The story of their collection is, in part, a story of their lives."

George Kottemann appreciates when visitors send him photographs of the sculptures on campus, and looks forward to sending UCF some pictures of his own.

"We hope to be able to give the university pictures of these pieces with snow on them that could perhaps be put up next to where the sculptures are," he says. "They’re just really, really beautiful with snow on them."