During the late 1960s and early 1970s the nascent Art Department began creating a permanent collection of prints and original art for the University. WestConn hosted at least one exhibit per semester of items created by students and faculty. As items could not be purchased, pieces were according to Bob Alberetti traded for with galleries and dealers. One important gallery in this process was the Ferdinand Roten Gallery. Other pieces were acquired via a Connecticut Office of the Arts grant for purchasing items created by Connecticut artists.