Quixotic Journeys ...: Texas: Abilene

A friend has given us a playlist for this part of our journey. So … let’s “Waltz Across Texas”, starting in the Panhandle!

On the campus of Abilene Christian University is this beautiful sculpture -- Jacob’s Dream by artist Jack Maxwell:

Originally built in 1909 as the Grace Hotel, the Grace Museum reflects the evolving Texas story through American fine art and history. The special exhibition of Chinese-born American contemporary artist Hung Liu was on view during our visit: Hung Liu: The Long Way Home:

Untitled (Mother and Child) by Hung Liu

Dandelion – Yellow 1 by Hung Liu

Also on view was a selection of artworks from the private collection of Bill and Linda Reaves. These avid Texas art collectors have assembled a collection of artwork by 20th century Texas artists. This particular exhibition focuses on the human figure: Up Close and Personal: Portraits from the Reaves Collection of Texas Art.

Herbert Richard Mears came to Houston in 1952 to join an old army buddy by the name of David Adickes. Mears quickly became known for his Picasso-esque figures. This work speaks to me as I grew up with a Picasso print of Portrait of a Harlequin.

Man with Birds by Herbert Richard Mears

A contemporary of McConnell, Alvin Romansky was an important leader of the Houston arts community.

Alvin Romansky by Leila McConnell

This work may pay homage to a master frame maker from San Antonio – Leopoldo Gonzalez.

The Frame Maker by Cecil Lange Casebier

The history section of the Grace Museum showcases a number of period rooms. Here are a few that represent kitchens between 1910-1948:

Another display shows the evolution of women’s fashion:

Next we visited Frontier Texas!

Cool Bison Weather Vanes!

This is an interactive museum which brings the Texas frontier to life. There are nine vignettes where frontier characters appear to come to life!

For example, we are standing in front of a diorama that represents a saloon bar. We see and hear Pat Garrett as he tells us about Billy the Kid and how he came to kill him.

Beautiful murals and a full-size replica of a teepee depict the life of native people in Texas:

We learned more about the decimation of bison and how the bone trade provided a second economic boon for the frontier. Bones would be collected and transported in wagons to Abilene where they were piled high near the railroad depot. They were then shipped back east to make buttons, corset stays, fertilizer and fuel for furnaces to fire bone china.

This chart illustrates the cattle trails that came through Texas:

One of the primary reasons I wanted to visit Abilene was to go to the National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature (NCCIL). This center produces exhibitions of artwork by award-winning illustrators of children’s literature. At the time of our visit, the exhibition featured the work of Peter Brown: A Time & Place for Everything -- Peter Brown.

Several of his books were on display along with original artwork as created for each book. We were not allowed to take pictures. ☹ However, we thoroughly enjoyed reading each book, learning how he created the characters and seeing his design process. Here are some of the books represented in the exhibition:

The history of the NCCIL is fascinating. In 1993 the mayor was invited to a local elementary school to read the book Santa Calls by William Joyce. The mayor learned that Joyce had set his story in Abilene so he contacted Joyce to visit. This meeting resulted in the idea to create a place to honor the artwork of children’s book illustrators and the NCCIL was incorporated in 1997.

This statue based, on the book by William Joyce, stands in front of the NCCIL.

Nicholas St. North - AKA “Santa Claus” sculptor Steve Neves

We continue our journey of children’s books as we stroll through the nearby Adamson-Spaulding Storybook Garden. The sculptures for these stories were also sculpted by Steve Neves: