When you think of a museum, you will likely envision artwork hanging on gallery walls or artifacts displayed in cases. Or perhaps carefully curated spaces that give visitors a close look into times past, or even a gaze into the future. But what about all of the other paintings, sculptures, objects, and oddities a museum collects? Where are they when they aren’t on view? The … [Read more...]
Creating a Community: The State Epileptic Colony in Abilene
For most of our human history, the perceptions of epilepsy and the people who suffered from it have been rooted in superstitious ideas. For centuries, epileptics were seen as carriers of a dangerously contagious disease, accused of demon possession, or simply viewed as insane. These beliefs may sound far-fetched to us now, but the study and observation of epileptic individuals … [Read more...]
Color Blue Inspired Grace Artist’s Metropolis Creation
Color can be transcendent. Take the color blue, for example. What images are conjured when you spot a bit of royal, indigo or turquoise? Cool water, vast skies, precious jewels, sad memories? For many people, blue induces feelings of calm and serenity; for others, vibrancy or enlightenment. For international installation artist Margo Sawyer, the color blue inspired the … [Read more...]
The Phantasmagoric World of Ordinary Things
Summer 2020 at The Grace Museum will take you back to the 1970s with art exhibitions that feature “The Phantasmagoric World of Ordinary Things.” The Cult of the Commonplace Artist David McManaway (1927-2010) has an underground cult following. In fact, that was the case during his lifetime as well. Research for this exhibition and numerous conversations with McManaway’s … [Read more...]
Bats, Bees and Fleas: Transforming Downtown
Donna Albus admits she “certainly was not domestic at home.” However, in the late 1980s, you could find her making curtains and stripping and finishing floors in the Cypress Building on North First and Cypress because she says “I loved those building passionately.” The renovation and repurposing of downtown buildings was the result of profound determination by individuals like … [Read more...]