Dishman Art Museum set to celebrate 40th anniversary with two new exhibitions

Two new exhibitions will soon open at the Dishman Art Museum on the Lamar University campus: “Our Back Pages” featuring works of LU alumni and a collaborative exhibition alongside The Art Studio, Inc. featuring works of Maudee Carron and Lynn Sweat. The exhibitions will run Jan. 21 through March 4 with a reception being held Jan. 27 from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

“Our Back Pages” will be located on the first-floor gallery and will feature works of Marvin Hayes, Michael Kennaugh, Paul Manes and Allie “Bill” Skelton, four acclaimed Lamar University alumni who have distinguished themselves throughout their careers.

“With this year being LU’s centennial year, I had the idea to feature some work of former students who have gone on to do well in their careers,” said Dennis Kiel, director of the Dishman Art Museum.

Taking place on the second-floor gallery, an exhibition featuring works of Maudee Carron and Lynn Sweat will be featured. This will be a collaborative exhibition between the Dishman Art Museum and The Art Studio, Inc. as both celebrate their 40-year anniversaries.

“Greg Buscemi from The Art Studio told me that this is their 40th anniversary, and I said ‘ours too,’” said Kiel. “I told him we should do something together, but at that time I wasn’t sure what.”

After thinking of possible collaborative opportunities, Kiel thought of two artists with long-term connections to Lamar University, the Dishman Art Museum, and The Art Studio, Inc.

“Lynn Sweat is a big supporter of The Art Studio and he graduated from LU, so I thought of showcasing Lynn,” said Kiel. “But then I realized that Maudee Carron was a big supporter of The Art Studio, and the Dishman gave her a big solo show in 1993. They were both good friends and inspired one another, so that’s what we wanted to do with this show, to show off the similarities and connection they had.”

Kiel has spent the last several weeks curating both exhibits in preparation for LU’s centennial celebrations and for the Dishman’s 40-year anniversary.

Admission to the Dishman Art Museum is free of charge and open to the public. Museum hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. while there is an exhibition open. The museum is closed for major holidays.

To learn more about the Dishman Art Museum, visit www.lamar.edu/dishman