By Ellis Willard
A West Virginia University School of Pharmacy professor by day and an art enthusiast at all times, Dr. Arthur I. Jacknowitz was beloved by all and known for championing the arts as an essential part of health and wellness.
An artists’ reception and unveiling in September at the Jacknowitz Art Wall in the Pylons Commons at Health Sciences introduced a new collaboration between WVU Art in the Libraries, the William A. Neal Museum of the Health Sciences, and the Health Sciences Center.
Dean of WVU Libraries Karen Diaz (left), Dean of the WVU School of Pharmacy Dr. William Petros (center), and Linda Jacknowitz (right).
The exhibit features life-sized reproductions of original paintings by Dr. John Mauger, former WVU School of Pharmacy faculty member, and his son, Jeffrey Mauger, artists and family friends of Dr. Jacknowitz. Two Mauger originals are also on display, along with some of Dr. Jacknowitz’s memorabilia and a history timeline of the WVU School of Pharmacy.
“WVU School of Pharmacy” exhibit wall.
“Art represented the best and so does John,” said Clarke Ridgway, professor emeritus and former assistant dean for student services at the WVU School of Pharmacy. “He was kind, compassionate, supportive, and a tremendous cheerleader for not just the WVU School of Pharmacy, but for the state of West Virginia and the role that pharmacy has in helping improve the health of the state’s residents.”
With the exhibit’s themes of art, healing, and friendship mirroring Art’s life and character, a lineup of speakers shared stories that paralleled Art’s heart and the passion behind this project.
“Dr. Jacknowitz championed the arts as a vital part of our health and lives. At WVU Libraries, we champion libraries as distinct spaces for gathering and learning,” said Dean of WVU Libraries Karen Diaz. “The natural link that ties art and libraries together? We’re incubators for ideas that stimulate conversation, inquiry, discovery, and reflection. It is an honor to bring our resources to this celebration of the connection between art, healing, and friendship that Dr. Jacknowitz lived.”
To see the exhibit, visit the Jacknowitz Art Wall in the Pylons Commons at Health Sciences before May 2026.
The exhibit is made possible through the support of Linda Jacknowitz, whose gift honors a commitment to integrating the arts into the health sciences community.
Consider contributing to exhibit collaborations by giving to the WVU Libraries Special Initiative fund (2V892) at give.wvu.edu/wvu-libraries.
Attendees reflect while viewing “Art, Healing, and Friendship: Remembering Dr. Arthur I. Jacknowitz” exhibit.