UMass Police Department, Fine Arts Center Seek Assistance To Secure Return of Stolen Exhibit Items

The University of Massachusetts Police Department and the UMass Fine Arts Center are seeking assistance from the public to secure property stolen in a recent breaking-and-entering incident at the Augusta Savage Gallery.

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The theft occurred sometime between March 15 and 16. An unknown person or persons were able to gain access to the gallery, which is located within New Africa House. Items stolen include elements of the gallery’s exhibit “Theater of the Streets: Social Landscapes Through the Lens of Jill Freedman” that were on loan from the late photographer’s family. These include Freedman’s camera bag, black Nikon 35mm SLR camera, black Olympus 35mm SLR camera, and personal notebook.

Also stolen during the break were items belonging to the gallery and gallery staff, including three Apple Mac Mini computers and a black Canon DSLR-300 camera.

The Freedman family is imploring members of the public to assist with the return the irreplaceable items that belonged to the artist.

“These cameras are old and not worth a lot of money, The notebook with her thoughts is priceless to us and irreplaceable,” said Nancy Schiffman-Skar, Freedman’s cousin and spokesperson for the family. “It’s not worth a lot of money but it is our family’s heirloom, and we would like the items returned. It is very sentimental to us. If they could return the items to the Augusta Savage Gallery, there will be no questions asked. We will not press any charges; we just want her items returned to us.”

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact UMass Police Officer David Ortiz at (413) 545-2121 or by email at dortiz@admin.umass.edu. This investigation is ongoing. Anonymous information can be left at (413) 577-TIPS (8477) or by using the UMPD anonymous witness form at  https://www.umass.edu/umpd/anonymous-witness-form.