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The Guistina Gallery in The LaSells Stewart Center at Oregon State University will be one of the first venues to host a full showing of original works by artist Thomas Kinkade since his death in 2012.

The exhibit, titled "What Will Last? Original Works from the Thomas Kinkade Collection," will be held Feb. 23 through March 15, 2016. A reception will take place March 9 at 6 p.m. The LaSells Stewart Center is at 875 S.W. 26^th St. on the Corvallis campus.

Known as the "Painter of Light" for his distinctive glowing and idyllic landscapes, Kinkade was also extremely successful at reproducing his work, making him one of the most widely recognized modern painters through the wide distribution of his prints and merchandise. Few will fail to recognize the cozy cottages and glowing sunsets Kinkade was known for.

While there will be some of his iconic paintings on display at the OSU show, the show's focus is on Kinkade's creative process and his often unseen passion for humanitarianism. Gallery curator Tina Green-Price said that visitors will be able to view a number of original sketches and studies to glimpse the artistic process of the California-based painter. Each piece of work has been hand selected by the Kinkade Family Foundation.

 Kinkade limited the sale of his original artwork and kept much of it in the family, which means that the Guistina exhibit will be the first in the Pacific Northwest to display some of his original works.

 "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for many in the Willamette Valley to see such a large collection of original pieces by Kinkade," Green-Price said.

 More information on the Kinkade Family Foundation is available online at http://www.kinkadefamilyfoundation.org/