Burton Morris Commemorative Artwork

To commemorate the inauguration of President Rhonda Phillips, the College commissioned an original painting by internationally renowned artist Burton Morris. Morris has used his work to benefit charitable causes, making this commission a fitting way to celebrate SMCM’s history, identity and future while representing the vision of the College’s new strategic plan, Excellence Reimagined: Honors at the Helm. A limited number of signed Collector and Patron Edition prints are available for purchase, with proceeds supporting student success initiatives.

The artwork, an original Burton Morris creation, was produced exclusively for St. Mary’s College. Drawing inspiration from the campus’s waterfront setting and student experience, the work blends iconic elements with symbolic imagery. Each piece is hand-numbered, part of a strictly limited edition, and accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity.

Philanthropy has remained an important part of Morris’s career. His artwork has helped generate millions of dollars for charitable organizations worldwide and supports building global recognition for the entities that his artwork has been commissioned to represent.

In 1992, Morris was selected to represent Pennsylvania for Absolut Vodka’s celebrated Absolut Statehood campaign, becoming part of one of the foremost advertising art programs that included leading contemporary artists such as Andy Warhol and Keith Haring.

Morris reached an international audience beginning in 1994, when his paintings were selected for the NBC television series Friends. His artwork appeared throughout the show’s ten-season run and was prominently displayed in Central Perk, one of the most recognizable sets in television history. As Friends became a worldwide cultural phenomenon, Morris’s paintings became part of the show’s visual identity and were introduced to millions of viewers around the world.

He has since created signature artworks for some of the largest cultural and sporting events in the world, including The 76th Academy Awards, The 2004 Summer Olympic Games, FIFA World Cup, The USGA U.S. Open Golf Championship, The 2006 MLB All-Star Game, The 38th Montreux Jazz Festival, and the 2026 NFL Draft, among many others.

Morris’s work is exhibited internationally and is represented in museum, institutional, corporate, and private collections. Selected collections include the International Olympic Museum, The United Nations, Chanel Corporation, The NFL, The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, The World of Coca Cola Museum, The Jimmy Carter Center, Musée de l’Élysée, The Los Angeles Dodgers, The Senator John Heinz History Center, Rolex Corporation, The White House, The Hickory Museum of Art, Warner Bros., Sony, Apple Inc., The Albright-Knox museum and The Ferrari Museum.

His work has also attracted an international collector base spanning art, entertainment, fashion, business, and professional sport. Collectors have included Brad Pitt, Oprah Winfrey, Ralph Lauren, Stan Lee, Roy Disney, Michael Eisner, Jennifer Aniston, Tommy Hilfiger, Roy Disney, John Travolta, Keanu Reeves, André Agassi, Mario Lemieux, and President Barack Obama, among others.