Girard donated over a 100,000 pieces of folk art to the Museum of International Folk Art in Santa Fe, New Mexico. A new wing was built at the museum—which Girard designed—to house the collection. In 1981 Girard completed a permanent exhibit of meticulously arranged folk art scenes, depicting human experiences typical and atypical alike. Mesmerizing and full, Girard's understanding of folk art exceeded even the bulk of his collection. That his donation to the museum was only a portion of what he owned at the time, shows us the depth of his passion.
“I believe we should preserve this evidence of the past, not as a pattern for sentimental imitation, but as nourishment for the creative spirit of the present.”
