In 1981, the Colorado State University Department of Art collaborated with Andy Warhol to publish a special fundraising edition of Kimiko 237. The portrait, originally created in 1972, depicts collector Kimiko Powers in cool blues and greens. Warhol rendered her tilted pose and calm expression with precise silkscreen linework. The University used the edition to support its Visual Arts program and strengthen its growing connection to contemporary art.
Colorado State University Department of Art and the Kimiko Portrait
The Colorado State University directors chose Kimiko 237 for its fundraising project because of the prominence of Kimiko and John Powers. The couple assembled one of the most influential private collections of postwar art at the time. Specifically, it included major works by Warhol, Lichtenstein, Johns, and Oldenburg. Their later visit to the academic institution in 1981 offered the department an opportunity to highlight that connection and promote its expanding arts curriculum. For CSU, partnering with Warhol carried cultural significance and helped signal its commitment to contemporary visual culture.
Kimiko Powers, John Powers, and Warhol’s 1972 Commission
Warhol first created the portrait in 1972 at the request of Kimiko’s husband, John Powers. Before that year, the Powers family had a long-standing relationship with Warhol and collected his work extensively. Moreover, their shared interest in modern and Pop Art made the collaboration natural. The original portrait remains one of Warhol’s most elegant commissions, known for its luminous palette and intimate tone. Consequently, it became an ideal image for the Colorado State University Department of Art to publish nearly a decade later.
Cultural Impact and Educational Significance
By choosing a Warhol portrait for its fundraising edition, the Colorado State University Department of Art positioned itself within larger conversations about art, education, and patronage. During the early 1980s, universities increasingly pursued collaborations with leading artists to elevate the profile of their programs. CSU embraced this momentum. Moreover, Warhol’s willingness to associate his work with academic institutions reinforced his ongoing support for arts education. For additional context on contemporary art programs, see Colorado State University’s Department of Art & Art History.
Today, the CSU edition of Kimiko serves as a reminder of how art, philanthropy, and education intersected at a pivotal moment in the university’s development. It highlights the department’s vision and its ability to connect students and faculty with major figures in American art.