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The Boren Collection of Western Art

Located in historic Helena Memorial Hall, the Boren Art Gallery is home to the Leland and LaRita Boren Collection of Western Art Collection and the LaRita Boren Indiana Art Collection. The collections are the bequest of longtime Upland residents and faithful supporters of Taylor University, Leland and LaRita Boren. Their art legacy is the product of a decades-long passion for collecting art and their love for sharing it with others.

Gallery Hours

During the academic year, the Gallery is open from 11 am to 5 pm, on Wednesdays and by appointment on Mondays and Fridays starting March 13, 2024.

Location and Parking

You are welcome to park on either the north or south side of Helena Memorial Hall. Enter the Gallery through the main entrance at the top of the steps. If you are of need of assistance, please enter through the south ground level entrance.

Gallery Visit Experience

Admittance is free. 

Level 1

The downstairs/basement display area currently features the water media paintings of James E. Boren (1921-1990). Although this master painter was not a relative of the Boren family, he was clearly a favorite. The Collection has more paintings by this artist than any other person, including a number of oils. Notably, the images on Level 1 are primarily executed in gouache. This opaque (non-transparent) watercolor is unique for its pastel-like qualities.

Level 2

In the rooms and alcoves of the entrance level, you will encounter modern working cowboys, paintings and sculptures by Native American artists, and paintings depicting scenes from 1870-1910, the “golden era” of the American West.

Level 3

With the largest amount of space, the top floor of Helena Hall demonstrates the broader scope of the Borens’ art tastes. In these galleries, you will see more working cowboy and Native American subjects, as well as Western landscapes, scenes from the Old Southwest, portraiture, and paintings of the four-legged friends—Texas longhorns and American buffalo—that lived on the Boren ranch south of Upland. This floor also has a working classroom with paintings selected to engage a full range of visitors: university students, school-age children, and community visitors.  

Contact Us

Questions about visiting with a group, art pieces, or seeking more information? Contact Mark Masuoka, Director of the Boren Art Gallery, at 765-998-4561 or mark_masuoka@taylor.edu.  

Art at Taylor University 

Interested in viewing more art while visiting Taylor University? The Metcalf Visual Arts Building is a short walk east from Helena Hall, and contains the Metcalf Gallery where student and visiting artist work is frequently featured. Learn more about studying art at Taylor