The Texas A&M Foundation Magazine
Spirit® is published three times per year by the Texas A&M Foundation, which manages major gifts and endowments for the benefit of academic programs, scholarships and student activities at Texas A&M University.
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By Michele Schevikhoven '21
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Learn about the Forsyth and Stark Galleries, two on-campus gems highlighting the beauty and power of art.
From sculptures and memorials to beautiful buildings and scenery, art can be found everywhere on Texas A&M University’s campus. But the best place to admire art collections is in the Memorial Student Center’s University Art Galleries, composed of the Forsyth and Stark Galleries. The Forsyth Galleries houses the unique Bill ’35 and Irma Runyon Art Collection, which contains world-class English Cameo glass, American art glass, and paintings from the 19th and 20th centuries. Named for J. Wayne Stark ’39, the Stark Galleries focuses on 19th and 20th century American and Texas paintings, prints, photographs and drawings.
Read on for more facts about the galleries.
01
There are 5,766 items maintained in the collections.
Venice
Thomas Moran, Venice, 1896, oil on canvas, Bill and Irma Runyon Art Collection, Texas A&M Foundation
02
The galleries host a number of exhibitions, events and lectures each year to educate and inspire Texas A&M faculty, staff and students. In 2019, 23 exhibitions were hosted. The galleries see approximately 24,500 visitors annually.
Carnival
Frederick Carter, Carnival, 1955, oil on board, TAMU Permanent Collection
03
Collections include glass art, paintings, sculptures and statues, prints, drawings and photographs.
Hill Top Dance Hall
Harold Osman “Cowboy” Kelly, Hill Top Dance Hall, ca. 1950, oil on board, Gift of Mr. & Mrs. William Weber Johnson, TAMU Permanent Collection
04
Unique collections include English cameo glass; blown, pressed and cut glass; paperweights; Majolica pottery; and perfume bottles and vials.
Steuben (Aurene)
Steuben Glass Works, perfume bottles, c. 1903–1932, aurene glass, Bill and Irma Runyon Art Collection, Texas A&M Foundation
05
The galleries also house collections of Native American art and works by Texas and women artists.
Woman Seated State Two
Rudolph Carl Gorman, “Woman Seated State Two,” 1979, serigraph on arches paper, Gift of Mr. & Mrs. Charles Smith, Texas A&M Permanent Collection
06
A Chinesco figurine from 200 B.C. – 100 A.D. is the oldest item.
Chinesco Figurine
Unknown artist, Chinesco Seated Male Figurine, 200 BC–AD 100, clay with red and black pigments, TAMU Permanent Collection
07
A Burmese glass pig named Hamlet is one of the smallest pieces.
Hamlet (the pig)
Curio Pig, Burmese, late 19th century, glass and enamel, Bill and Irma Runyon Art Collection, Texas A&M Foundation
08
A hanging sculpture in the Zachry Engineering Education Complex called “Silver Surfer” is the largest artwork.
Prototype for Stellar Interloper (Silver Surfer)
Inigo Ovalle, Prototype for Stellar Interloper (Silver Surfer), 2018, carbon fiber and aluminum alloy-foil, TAMU Permanent Collection Photo: Justin Baetge, Texas A&M Engineering
09
“Universal Sea” and “Heritage Tree” are the newest pieces installed on the first and third floors of the new Student Services Building.
Universal Sea
Resa Blatman, Universal Sea, 2019, mixed media installation and wall drawing, TAMU Permanent Collection
10
The Campus Art Loan Project makes available original works and reproductions for departments and offices across campus. Currently, 484 pieces of art are on loan.
Mission Socorro
Frederick Carter, Mission Socorro, circa 2000, oil on canvas, Gift of Frederick Carter, TAMU Permanent Collection
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Naming Opportunities
Stark Galleries
Education Gallery: $350,000
Main Gallery: $3 million
Forsyth Galleries
Learning Gallery: $350,000
Small Gallery: $1 million
Large Gallery: $2 million
Other Opportunities
Other giving opportunities include funds for traveling exhibitions, art education programming, and art maintenance and storage. You can give to the Forsyth Galleries online at give.am/ForsythGallery or to the Stark Galleries online at give.am/StarkGallery. For more information, contact:
Megan Pulliam '09
Director of Development for Student Affairs
Texas A&M Foundation
(800) 392-3310 or (979) 862-1247
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