From the MSC Forsyth Center Galleries Director

Welcome to the Forsyth Center Galleries Blog. As new director of the museum, I look forward to this opportunity to regularly talk about the galleries and provide you all with some highlights of programs I hope to bring to the Texas A&M University community.

Since Texas A&M University’s Memorial Student Center was established in 1951, one of its primary goals has been to bring high quality art into the daily environment of the university’s student body. In 1989, Bill Runyon (’35) made a substantial gift of art and funds for an endowment that became the basis for the MSCC Forsyth Center Galleries. Mr. Runyon had always been impressed with the Memorial Student Center as the heartbeat of campus activity where thousands of students, faculty, and members of the community visited daily. His specific goal in his donation was to enable the Texas A&M University Community to view and study the collections, in the Memorial Student Center. It my ultimate goal to continue this tradition and spirit.

One of the ways of bringing art to the community is of course through exhibitions. In addition to displaying the Runyon Collection, I have a number of exciting exhibitions in mind for the 2008-2009 academic year.

Mundy Hepburn is one of the artists I’ve been communicating with for potential exhibition. Mr. Hepburn creates hand-blown glass sculptures, fills them with gases such as helium, neon, argon, krypton and xenon, and then activates the glass with static electricity causing the sculpture to come alive with a kaleidoscope of swirling patterns of multicolored light.

I also hope to bring to the galleries a juried exhibition featuring the work of regional artists. Juried exhibitions, sometimes referred to as “invitationals” are an excellent way to highlight emerging talent while focusing on local artists. These shows are a great way for museums to serve the community by providing a venue to look at art, but also by provide a venue for artists to show art.

Of immediate interest is the Guatemalan Maya Weavers exhibition that will open October 16, with a progresseive reception that evening. One of the treasures I found when I started just a few months ago was a large collection of 19th century and early 20th century traditional Guatemalan highland apparel. I don’t want to give too much of the exhibition away, but I can say that the Forsyth Center Galleries has an outstanding selection of complete men’s and women’s outfits that represent both daily wear and ceremonial wear. These textiles promise to provide a beautiful and insightful view into an important world culture.

These are just a few of the many developments we at the Forsyth Center Galleries hope to bring about. I look forward to bringing you fresh updates regarding our activities and introducing myself and the FCG staff to you.



Sincerely,



Nan Curtis