Baylor's Martin Museum of Art Receives Award for 'Texas Modern'

Contact: Karin Gilliam, director of Baylor University's Martin Museum of Art, (254) 710-6390

The Martin Museum of Art at Baylor University has been chosen as the recipient of the 2008 Exhibition Award by the Center for the Advancement and Study of Early Texas Art (CASETA). The announcement was made at the organization's annual symposium held April 12-13 in Fort Worth.

The award for excellence recognizes the museum's 2007 exhibition, "TEXAS MODERN: The Rediscovery of Early Texas Abstraction." The exhibition featured more than 50 paintings and sculptures from public and private collections representing Texas indigenous modernist art, circa 1935-1965. A full-color, illustrated catalogue accompanied the exhibition, with introduction and essays by art historians Katie Robinson Edwards, Mark L. Smith and Jim Edwards.

TEXAS MODERN defined the evolution of abstract art in Texas. Featured were seminal works by well-known American artists who worked in Texas, including members of the "Dallas Nine," the "Fort Worth Circle" and others in Houston, Denton, San Antonio and elsewhere, who were responding to contemporary advances in industrialization, technology and artmaking.

"Many of these works have been hibernating quietly for more than a half-century," said Edwards, who also serves as visiting assistant professor of art at Baylor. "TEXAS MODERN offered a unique and timely assessment of Texas's contribution to American art history."

The Center for the Advancement and Study of Early Texas Art is promotes the preservation, study and appreciation of Texas visual arts and its history. CASETA is located at Texas State University-San Marcos.

The Martin Museum of Art is located in the Hooper-Schaefer Fine Arts Center on the Baylor campus. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday. The museum is closed during university holidays. Admission is free and all events are open to the public, unless specified. For more information, call (254) 710-1867 or visit the museum website at www.baylor.edu/martinmuseum.

www.baylor.edu/martinmuseum