Nan and Will Clarkson were patrons of the Burchfield Center during its early decades and collected Western New York art.
In 1982, for the exhibition Design in Buffalo, this text was published with the products and photographs of Graphic Controls Corporation, lent by Will and Nan Clarkson on behalf of the company:
Graphic Controls Corporation presently resides in what was formerly the Larkin Company Complex "R, S,T" warehouse also called the Terminal Building, designed in 1911. Considered a masterpiece of functional design and rational detailing, it was further enhanced 1967-69 by Arthur Carrara including an entrance on Exchange Street designed in the tradition of Frank Lloyd Wright. The Graphic Controls logo was designed by Robert Zeidman Associates.
Twenty-five years old, the firm has its roots in the early 1900s. George Elliott Clarkson and two of his sons consolidated the Canadian company, Staebler & Baker Ltd., and five other chart and printing firms into Graphic Controls Corporation. Their main line of products include recording charts, instrument marking systems, disposable medical products, and coated imaging papers. The corporation is also highly regarded as a leader in improving the quality of working conditions. The senior Clarkson and his sons Max B.E. and William M.E. have formed a management theory which they titled, "Decentralized Participative Management by Objectives."