Appalachian State University Art, Gifts and Original Paintings

Nestled in the mountains in Boone, North Carolina is a school that has gained national attention. Pride is running high as Appalachian State University won three consecutive national championships in 2005, 2006, and 2007. In a milestone for ASU athletics, the Appalachian State football team played their season opener at the University of Michigan in front of the largest crowd to ever witness an ASU football game on September 1, 2007. Appalachian State beat Michigan 34-32 and became the first (I-AA) football team to defeat a Division (I-A) team ranked in the AP poll.

1994 was William Mangum’s first introduction to this campus for commissioned art. His first painting of Appalachian State University features the Belk Library as the subject with the foothills gently rolling behind the campus. Appalachian State University has certainly blossomed since its inception in 1899 when a group of citizens in Watauga County, under the leadership of D.D. Dougherty and B.B. Dougherty, began a movement to establish a good school in Boone, North Carolina. On March 9, 1903, the bill became law, and the Appalachian Training School for Teachers was established. In 1972 Appalachian State became part of the University of North Carolina system.

Just a few years later in 1998 Appalachian was celebrating its Centennial when William Mangum was commissioned once again to create art prints for alumni and friends. Appalachian Centennial showcases the quad area with students on their way to classes as springtime is in full bloom.

Currently, we have the Appalachian State University and Appalachian Centennial in fine art reproductions along with a variety of handsome art gift items such as miniature framed prints, cherry keepsake boxes and note cards.

Appalachian offered programs in areas other than teaching in 1965. This change led to a more appropriate name for the school in 1967, Appalachian State University. Afterwards, three degree granting undergraduate colleges were created: Arts and Sciences, Fine and Applied Arts, and Education.