The Channing Gilson Midcentury Design Collection will be on display from Dec. 6 to Feb. 19 at the Huntley Gallery. The opening reception will be held Dec. 6 from 4 to 7 p.m.

Gilson's trust donated his collection of midcentury industrial design objects to Cal Poly Pomona in 2007. The collection, co-curated by gallery director Michele Cairella Fillmore and intern Erika De La Parra, is being exhibited for the first time.

During the 1950s, Gilson designed a wide variety of household items for clients such as Xerox, Motorola and Hughes Aircraft Company. For nearly 40 years, he collected mass-produced everyday items that he thought were historically significant: everything from toys and dinnerware to furniture and calculators. Thanks to his foresight, many significant examples of midcentury industrial design are preserved in this collection.

The exhibit also includes selections from the archives of Jean Otis Reinecke, Gilson's contemporary. A notable industrial designer, Reinecke designed household items we still use today, like 3M plastic tape dispensers.

The exhibit coincides with the release of The Gilson Collection, a book that features many of the items on display. The book is co-authored by Maren Henderson, former art department chair and professor, and Therese Mahoney, former visual art resource librarian. Babette Mayor, a professor in the art department, designed the book. The gallery will be hosting a book signing on Jan. 17 from 4 to 7 p.m.

The Huntley Gallery is located on the fourth floor of the University Library and is open Monday, Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. and Wednesday and Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m. During winter break, the gallery will have abbreviated hours. Admission is free.

For more information, visit the Huntley Gallery Facebook page.