The University Art Museum (UAM) at California State University, Long Beach has accepted a significant art collection from the Gordon F. Hampton Foundation valued at more than $3.2 million, announced CSULB President Robert C. Maxson.

The collection, which contains works by 42 artists, is rich in second-generation abstract expressionism and items by prominent members of the New York school of painting. Among the 85 works are signature pieces by such artists as Al Held, Michael Goldberg, Adolph Gottlieb, Lee Krasner and Milton Resnick.

Other artists represented in the collection are William Brice, Richard Diebenkorn, Sam Francis, Nancy Graves, David Hockney, Roberto Juarez, Claes Oldenberg and Eugene Sturman. Gordon Hampton (1912-1996) was a well-known Los Angeles antitrust attorney and one of the original partners in the law firm of Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton, LLP. Also an art patron and philanthropist, Hampton was a founding member and former chairman of the Fellows of Contemporary Art. His interest in modern art grew as he traveled the world and assembled an extensive personal collection.

"The Hampton Foundation's gift of this important Los Angeles art collection is recognition of the University Art Museum's fine reputation in the arts community," Maxson said. "The university appreciates the generosity of Wesley G. Hampton, Roger K. Hampton and Katharine Hampton Shenk, who chose Long Beach State as the beneficiary of their father's marvelous collection."

As CSULB celebrates the UAM's 25th anniversary this year, the Hampton gift also marks the museum's most valuable donation since its founding.

In accordance with Gordon Hampton's wishes, the UAM will maintain the collection at the offices of Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton at 333 S. Hope St. in downtown Los Angeles for a significant period. The public spaces of their offices will serve as a satellite exhibit facility for the UAM and the university's art outreach programs.

The main gallery of the UAM will be named the Gordon F. Hampton Gallery at the formal acceptance of the gift on Sunday, Nov. 7.