until 1985, when john s. burd became president of the university, brenau lacked a designated art gallery; student and faculty work was displayed in various buildings across the campus. recognizing the need for a gallery, burd converted a small chapel outside the balcony of the university's pearce auditorium into the “president’s gallery”. director of visual arts mary jane taylor became the first gallery director and began expanding the frequency and breadth of art exhibitions on campus throughout the late 1980s. burd also initiated the creation of brenau's permanent art collection in 1986. the first important acquisition during this period was a still life painted by the american artist william merritt chase. the collection today consists of over 1,100 pieces and is periodically exhibited on campus.