J. Wayne Stark Galleries facts for kids
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| Established | 1992 |
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| Location | Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas |
The J. Wayne Stark Galleries is a cool art museum located right on the campus of Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. It's managed by the University Art Galleries Department, which is part of the Division of Student Affairs. The gallery is named after J. Wayne Stark, who was the very first director of the Memorial Student Center at the university.
About the Galleries
The idea for the art program started in 1973. This is when the Office of University Art Collections and Exhibitions was created. J. Wayne Stark, who was a special helper to the university president for cultural development, led this office. His team began to list all the art the university already owned and also worked to get new art pieces.
How the Galleries Started
In 1990, building the Stark Galleries began. This was possible thanks to a generous first gift from Sara and John H. Lindsey, who were from Houston. Other people and the university also gave money to help build the galleries. The Stark Galleries officially opened to the public in February 1992.
A New Look for the Galleries
Around 2009, the Memorial Student Center, where the galleries are, started a big renovation project. Because of this, the Stark Galleries had to close for a while. The galleries received another kind gift from Mary and James B. Crawley for this renovation. The gallery reopened on April 21, 2012. It now has about 10,000 square feet of space to show art. This includes four main galleries, places for events, and a special room for learning. The Crawley Gallery and the Lindsey Gallery inside the Stark Galleries are named after these two important donors. The University Art Galleries Department plans all the fun activities and shows for the Stark Galleries.
Who Was J. Wayne Stark?
John Wayne Stark was born on December 16, 1915, in Lamesa, Texas. After finishing high school in Winters, Texas, he earned a history degree from Texas A&M in 1939. He then studied law but left to serve in World War II.
In 1947, he came back to Texas A&M. He started working to oversee the building of the Memorial Student Center. In 1959, he became the Texas A&M sponsor for a program called Experiment in International Living. This program helped about 400 A&M students travel overseas to live and work. Stark worked for the university for 33 years before he retired in 1980. His positive impact is still felt on campus and in the community today.
In 1992, university leaders named and dedicated the Stark Galleries in his honor. This was to celebrate his strong belief in and support for the arts.
What Art Can You See?
Before the Stark Galleries were built, art shows were held in other places on campus. Today, the collections at the Stark Galleries include almost 10,000 art pieces! Most of these pieces are American art from the 1800s and 1900s. There is a special focus on art and artists from Texas. However, because many pieces have been given as gifts over the years, you can also find other types of art. These range from ancient pottery made before Columbus to German paintings from the 1800s.
The museum's main collection also has sculptures and other decorative arts. The Stark Galleries also takes care of 23 outdoor sculptures located around the campus. These include works by famous artists like Pompeo Coppini, Lawrence Ludtke, Veryl Goodnight, and Hans Van de Bovenkamp.
Amazing Paintings and Drawings
The main collection at the Stark Galleries focuses on American paintings, prints, drawings, and photos from the 1800s and 1900s. Some of the artists whose work you can see include Dawson Dawson-Watson, Julian Onderdonk, H.O. “Cowboy” Kelly, Peggy Bacon, Laura Gilpin, Charles Schorre, and Dorothy Hood.
Harold Osman "Cowboy" Kelly
Harold Osman "Cowboy" Kelly (1884–1950) is known as one of the most important "folk" artists of the 1900s. Even though he didn't create many works, his pieces are famous around the world in the folk art style. He was born in Ohio. Most of his art shows farm life in the Midwest, which he loved. It also shows parts of his adult life in Texas. Some of his well-known works are “More Good People,” “Fourth of July Races,” “October- First Monday,” and “Hill Top Dance Hall.” The J. Wayne Stark Galleries has the largest collection of original works by "Cowboy" Kelly.
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Hill Top Dance Hall by Harold Osman "Cowboy" Kelly
Dorothy Hood
Dorothy Hood (1919–2000) was born in Bryan, Texas. Modern art, philosophy, poetry, and early space travel really influenced her. Her art mixes abstract and geometric shapes into flowing designs. This creates truly unique images that show her wonder and curiosity about the universe. Many of Hood’s works are in important art collections. This includes twenty-three museums in the U.S., three in Switzerland, and one in Mexico City. The J. Wayne Stark Galleries is proud to have two of Hood’s original masterpieces: “The Day the Mountain Thanked the Sea” and “Space Riders.”
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The Day the Mountain Thanked the Sea by Dorothy Hood
Dawson Dawson-Watson
Dawson Dawson-Watson (1864–1939) was born in London. He lived and painted all over Europe before moving to the United States. Here, he worked at famous art colleges. First, he was a director in Connecticut, then a teacher in St. Louis. Later, he moved to San Antonio, Texas. There, he started painting the plants and scenery of the Southwest. His time in Texas led him to paint a series of scenes from the Grand Canyon. This series is what he is most known for today. The J. Wayne Stark Galleries has three of his beautiful landscape paintings.
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Landscape by Dawson Dawson-Watson
Edward M. "Buck" Schiwetz
Edward M. "Buck" Schiwetz (1898–1984) was born in Cuero, Texas. He studied architecture at Texas A&M University, but he never worked as an architect. He was a talented artist who taught himself. After graduating, he moved to New York. There, he became known for his skills in many different art forms. He became more famous and eventually started his own advertising company. Even though he had serious health problems, he worked as an artist for Texas A&M University's 100-year celebration in 1976. During this time, he created a collection of scenes from the Texas A&M campus. Schiwetz was a very productive artist. His works are in major museums in the United States and around the world. The J. Wayne Stark Galleries has one of the largest collections of his original works in a public museum.
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Texas A&M University, Academic Building by Edward M. "Buck" Schiwetz
Julian Onderdonk
Julian Onderdonk (1882–1922) was born in San Antonio, Texas. He trained on the East Coast for several years before coming back to his hometown to paint. His most famous works are his "bluebonnet" landscapes. Bluebonnets are the state flower of Texas. Three of his bluebonnet paintings were even in the Oval Office at the White House when George W. Bush was president. There is a gallery just for his work at the Dallas Museum of Art. Texas A&M University has two of his paintings: “Miles and Miles of Bluebonnets” and “At the Edge of the Forest.”
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Miles and Miles of Bluebonnets by Julian Onderdonk
Sculptures Around Campus
Texas A&M University has 23 sculptures placed all around its campus. Some of these sculptures are by well-known artists like Lawrence M. Ludtke, Pompeo Coppini, and Hans Van de Bovenkamp.
James Earl Rudder Statue
The sculpture of James Earl Rudder was created by Lawrence M. Ludtke (1929–2007). You can find it next to the Rudder Building. James Earl Rudder was the sixteenth president of Texas A&M University. During his time in the military, Major General Rudder bravely led a charge up the cliffs of Normandy during World War II.
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James Earl Rudder sculpture by Lawrence M. Ludtke
The Twelfth Man Statue
The Twelfth Man sculpture was made by George E. "Pat" Foley (1922–1998). It stands in front of Kyle Field. This statue was a gift from the Class of '80. It shows E. King Gill, a Texas A&M football player from the 1920s. In 1922, during a game, Gill was called from the stands to help the football team. Many players were getting hurt. Even though he never played in the game, he was the only player left standing on the sidelines by the end. Since that game, Aggies stand at football games. This shows their support for the team as its "Twelfth Man."
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Twelfth Man sculpture by George E. "Pat" Foley
Lawrence Sullivan Ross Statue
The Lawrence Sullivan Ross sculpture was created by Pompeo Coppini (1870–1957). It is in the open area in front of the Academic Building. Students often call this sculpture 'Sully'. Students sometimes place coins at Sully's feet for good luck on their exams. Lawrence Sullivan Ross was a Governor of the State of Texas. He was also the third President of what was then called A&M College.
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Lawrence Sullivan Ross sculpture by Pompeo Coppini
Silver Taps Sculpture
The Silver Taps sculpture was made by Rodney Culver Hill. He was a faculty member at A&M. This sculpture remembers the Aggie tradition of Silver Taps. The Silver Taps ceremony happens every month during the school year. It honors Aggies who have passed away. This sculpture was a gift from the Class of 1991.
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Silver Taps sculpture by Rodney Culver Hill
Menos Sculpture
The Menos sculpture was created by Hans Van de Bovenkamp. It is located in the Halbouty/Engineering-Physics Buildings Courtyard. Its name comes from the Greek word for "spirit." This shiny stainless steel sculpture stands almost 26 feet tall. It was officially dedicated in 1992.
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Menos sculpture by Hans Van de Bovenkamp
Victory Eagle Statue
The Victory Eagle sculpture was made by Kent Ullberg. It is located in Cain Park. The Class of '91 donated it as "a lasting symbol of the Aggie spirit." The Victory Eagle stands 9 feet tall and has a huge 14-foot wingspan. Kent Ullberg, from Corpus Christi, sculpted it. Ullberg is one of only two wildlife artists who has been chosen to be a member of the National Academy of Design.
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Victory Eagle sculpture by Kent Ullberg
