Peter and Paula Lunder's gift of art has transformed the Colby College Museum of Art in Waterville, Maine.

On Sunday, the Colby will open the $15 million Alfond-Lunder Family Pavilion, making it the largest art museum in the state.

The entire 26,000-square-foot space will be occupied by 280 of the 500 works that the Lunders gave in 2007.

Museum director Sharon Corwin has worked closely with the Lunders during the acquisition of their collection.

"The museum and Colby, to them, is a family, and they treat us as such," Corwin said.

The Lunders chose the Colby because of their connection to the location.

Peter Lunder graduated from the school in 1956, and he spent decades as president of a company in Maine.

Another reason they chose the Colby is because their collection is more likely to be on display at a smaller institution than at a larger one.

"Our walls are sort of empty. But imagine something of yours installed [in such a striking way]," Paula Lunder said.