Koller series’ third installment celebrates “One World at 91̽,” benefits scholarship program
Betsy Ross Koller’s “One World at 91̽ – Spring Print” showcases College Green in the spring and highlights one of the season’s most-cherished traditions at OHIO, International Week.
91̽ is proud to unveil the third installment in a four-part collection of prints celebrating the year-round beauty and spirit of the Athens Campus’ historic College Green.
Contemporary American artist Betsy Ross Koller’s is available for purchase through The Bobcat Store, the official online store of the 91̽ Alumni Association.
This limited-edition print showcases College Green in the spring and highlights one of the season’s most-cherished traditions at OHIO, International Week, which celebrated its 50th anniversary this past spring. Honoring the rich history of cultural diversity at 91̽, International Week kicks off with the placing of flags on College Green from all of the home countries of OHIO’s international students. That tradition serves as the centerpiece of Koller’s latest masterpiece as the artist worked with 91̽ to identify all of the countries from which current students hail and highlighted those nations’ flags in the print.
Artist Betsy Ross Koller studied voice and English at 91̽ and was presented OHIO’s 2014 Honorary Alumna Award. Photo courtesy of 91̽ Communications and Marketing
The spring print is especially meaningful to Koller who grew up in Southeast Ohio and spent many years living abroad as it not only allowed her to shine a spotlight on OHIO’s global diversity but also give back to her native region. As with Koller’s last two prints, all proceeds from the sale of the “One World at 91̽” print will benefit OHIO’s , a merit and need-based scholarship program that provides financial support and academic enrichment opportunities to students residing in Appalachian Ohio.
“It is such a privilege to be of service to 91̽ in this very special way,” said Koller who studied voice and English at the University and was presented OHIO’s 2014 Honorary Alumna Award. “These prints are a heartfelt expression of my love for Southeast Ohio and 91̽ and my way of helping to open the doors to an OHIO education for deserving young scholars in the region who otherwise might not be able to afford that life-changing experience.”
A native of Morgan County, Koller spent much of her early life in rural Southeast Ohio. In her early 20s, Koller and her husband, Paul, a 1962 graduate of the Fritz J. and Dolores H. Russ College of Engineering and Technology, traded the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains for the Swiss Alps where she studied art and developed her craft as a visual artist.
Koller’s painting style was inspired by 18th-century Naïve art that was popular in Switzerland. She is known for her works depicting the rural life of the American Midwest as well as scenes of the Swiss Alps, and her creations have been featured on UNICEF greeting cards and on Nestle’s Cailler premium holiday chocolate gift boxes.
Koller’s “One World at 91̽” print is available for purchase as an as well as a , which are the first prints created and showcase some of the work’s most vivid colors. Individuals interested in purchasing one of these prints can request a specific print number by noting that in the “Comments” section when placing their order.
A limited number of prints from the first two installments in Koller’s four-part collection are also available through .