International Museum of Art facts for kids
El Paso International Museum of Art
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| Established | 1924 |
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| Location | El Paso, Texas, United States |
| Type | Art museum |
| Collection size | 475 |
| Founder | Kate Moore Brown |
The International Museum of Art is a cool place in El Paso, Texas, where you can see amazing art. It's located inside a beautiful old house that was designed by a famous architect named Henry C. Trost. This house was built in 1908 for a man named William Ward Turney, who was a lawyer and rancher.
The International Museum of Art shares its history with the El Paso Museum of Art. The El Paso Museum of Art used to be in this same building until 1998. After it moved to a new spot, the International Museum of Art opened its doors in 1999.
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About the Museum
The International Museum of Art is quite large, covering about 14,000 square feet. That's a lot of space for art! The museum also has a big auditorium with 168 seats. This space is used for events and presentations. There are also special areas where people can take art classes.
How the Museum Started
The idea for the International Museum of Art began way back in 1924. A group called the El Paso International Museum Association started collecting art very quickly. A key leader in making the museum happen was Kate Moore Brown. She helped get the first display cases to show off a collection of art from Percival Henderson.
The group wanted to open a museum building in 1929. However, a big economic problem called the Great Depression stopped their plans. Even so, the group officially became a Texas state organization in 1930. The Women's Club of El Paso also helped a lot to promote the idea of having a museum.
Finding a Home
In 1941, the museum found its home in the former house of William Ward Turney. This property was owned by the City of El Paso. The museum leased, or rented, the W.W. Turney house at 1205 Montana Street. By 1944, the museum's board started raising money to pay for the house's taxes. The International Museum of Art officially opened its doors to the public on May 2, 1947.
Growing and Changing
In the late 1950s, there were plans to make the museum even bigger. This expansion would cost about $725,000. The money came from a special fund called a bond issue. The plans included adding two new art wings, an auditorium, and a special section just for children.
These renovations happened in 1960, with the help of architects Carrol and Daeuble and Associates. A very important art collection, known as the Kress collection, was put into the building in May 1961. This collection was given by the Samuel H. Kress Foundation. Around this time, the museum became known as the El Paso Museum of Art.
The El Paso Museum of Art moved out of the Turney home in 1998. Its new location was in Downtown El Paso. At first, the mayor, Carlos Ramirez, thought the Turney building might be used for museum offices.
A New Beginning
But in 1999, a new group of forty-two people decided to create the new El Paso International Museum of Art. These volunteers formed an organization called the International Association for the Visual Arts. They decided to keep the museum in the historic Turney building. They started renting the building from the City of El Paso. They also created an El Paso Artists Hall of Fame. This special hall honors two local artists each year.
Art Collection
The museum has a wonderful collection of art for visitors to enjoy. It features more than 450 paintings. You can also see 25 sculptures on display.
In 2000, the International Museum of Art received a special gift. Deane Miller donated a collection of kachina dolls. These dolls are traditional figures from Native American cultures. This collection was valued at $40,000, making it a very valuable addition to the museum.
Website
- International Museum of Art website
