Otterbein has an extensive collection of African and Asian artwork, with three dimensional pieces dominating the collection. Most of the works have been donated, starting shortly after the College's founding with gifts from missionaries and African natives who came to Otterbein to go to school. From masks and sculpture, baskets and weavings, to soft wood twigs used for toothbrushes, art and artifacts were collected and donated to the College.

A grant from the Kress Foundation allowed Otterbein to significantly increase its collection of African and sub-Saharan art in 1969 and 1970. In 1997, Dr. David Rilling of Philadelphia donated around 200 pottery items. Today, the collection includes over 1,000 pieces, most representative of Sub-Saharan African art from the 20th century.

The pieces are frequently used in classroom teaching. Otterbein students have the opportunity to study quality artwork they might otherwise see only in museums.

Throughout the year, the Otterbein community can see and appreciate some of the collection through exhibits in Fisher Gallery. With the Winter 2004 opening of the Frank Museum, the collection will have found a permanent home.