Martin Museum of Art Opens Permanent Collection Exhibit, Showcases Several Well-known Artists

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Media Contact: Terry Goodrich (254) 710-3321

WACO, Texas (May 24, 2012) - The works of artists who are described as "Fathers" of their media, "most important artist" in their country during their lifetime, as well as contemporary artists whose work is in important national and international collections such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the British Museum in London is on display at Baylor University's on-campus art museum, Martin Museum of Art.

The exhibition highlighting "Selections from the Permanent Collection and New Acquisitions," with pieces of art ranging from in date 1676 to 2011, will run through June 23. It features art ranging from several famous artists, including Francisco José de Goya y Lucientes, Robert Kipniss and Marc Chagall to an piece by art department faculty member Leah Force.

Collections Manager Adair McGregor said that although the exhibit has 26 works, including many recent gifts to the museum that represent a variety of media, the focus is on two prints by Mauricio Lasansky to commemorate his lifetime of achievement. Lasansky is recognized as one of the "Fathers of 20th Century American Printmaking" because of his pivotal role in the re-conception of printmaking as a creative rather than reproductive process. Throughout his vast and impressive career, Lasansky was awarded with five Guggenheim Fellowships, six honorary Doctorate of Arts degrees and many other prizes and honors.

"He passed away [in April], so we decided to showcase his prints in honor of his work," McGregor said.

McGregor said that of the more than 1,200 pieces that the museum holds permanently, she selected the works to be showcased carefully.

"I tried to select things that people would want to come see, like Goya and Chagall," she said. "You learn about these in any of your art history classes, so it was important to include them. I just thought 'What are students learning about?' and 'What can we show them to go along with that?' We also have lots of contemporary things that we want to show students, because it's important to see what is happening now."

Some pieces in the collection were purchased by the museum, but many were gifts, both McGregor and Karin Gilliam, director of the museum, said. The museum has been collecting art for the Permanent Collection since it was established in 1968.

When asked why the museum maintains such a large body of works in which many are not displayed, Gilliam answered simply. "Preservation and conservation."

Gilliam believes that the importance of art museums is "to provide state-of-the-art teaching, research, conservation and exhibition space, in addition to bringing exemplary art exhibitions to our community. Art museums also provide our schools, especially those with limited resources, an opportunity for students to develop their cultural literacy."

The museum's next planned exhibition will be "Fragmentations," textile art by Fiber Revolution, and will run from July 10 through August 18.

About Baylor University

Baylor University is a private Christian university and a nationally ranked research institution, classified as such with "high research activity" by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. The university provides a vibrant campus community for approximately 15,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating university in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 11 nationally recognized academic divisions.

About Martin Museum of Art

For the past thirty years, the stewardship and mission of the Martin Museum of Art has been one of education and service. Through bringing outstanding art exhibitions, speakers and guest artists to Baylor University and to the Central Texas community, the museum serves as a teaching tool for students and faculty. Exhibitions complement the courses of art history and studio art taught within the Department of Art. The permanent collection consists of approximately 1300 objects and represents a variety of art that has been donated to or purchased by Baylor University. The collection contains artwork by such well-known artists as Robert Rauschenberg, Kathe Kollwitz, Francisco de Goya, and Edouard-Leon Cortes. Included in the collection are approximately 300 paintings by famous watercolor artists such as George Post, Phil Dike, Edgar Whitney, and John Marin. For more information, visit Martin Museum of Art.

by Mallory Hisler, student newswriter, (254)710-6805