O’Donnell Athenaeum Exhibit Pays Tribute to University’s Pioneers

An art exhibition on loan from the Dallas Museum of Art (DMA) honoring the contributions of The University of Texas at Dallas’ founders and scholars is now on display in the UT Dallas Art Museums building, the first phase of the Edith and Peter O’Donnell Jr. Athenaeum.

The exhibition, titled “From Texas to the World: Common Ground at UT Dallas and the Dallas Museum of Art,” chronicles the philanthropic and creative spirit of Eugene and Margaret McDermott, J. Erik and Margaret Jonsson, and Cecil H. and Ida Green, as well as Dr. Richard Brettell, former professor of art and aesthetic studies, and Bonnie Pitman, director of art-brain innovations at the Center for BrainHealth and former distinguished scholar in residence for the Edith O’Donnell Institute of Art History.

“These people were profoundly important to both the DMA and UTD,” said Dr. Michael Thomas, the installation’s curator, director of the O’Donnell Institute of Art History and the Richard R. Brettell Distinguished University Chair. “Our shared history was the impetus for this partnership. It was important this exhibit connects their lasting influence.”

The exhibit features mixed-media pieces, bronze figurines, oil paintings, carved wood, and porcelain and ceramic vessels. Each piece was either given by the McDermotts, Jonssons or Greens; came to the DMA through The Eugene and Margaret McDermott Art Fund or the Cecil and Ida Green Acquisition Fund; or was acquired during the DMA directorships of Brettell or Pitman. Brettell served as the Eugene McDermott Director of the DMA from 1988 to 1992, and Pitman held the position from 2008 to 2011.

Rather than finding a commonality among the art itself, Thomas said he centered the installation’s theme around the individuals. Separated into two distinct galleries labeled “From Texas” and “to the World,” the exhibit features artworks from antiquity to modern day.

Notable pieces include a late-period bronze figurine representing an ancient Egyptian child god and an ancient Greek ceramic vessel used to mix water and wine; a mixed-media sculpture made of junk mail that depicts the waste of paper from direct-mail advertising; a painting from a three-piece collection inspired by the AIDS epidemic; an impressionistic take on the traditional country landscape; and a still-life painting by a Cubist movement pioneer.

Thomas found each of these pieces to be especially representative of the individuals. He calls them the “ID pieces” and paired each with a biographical panel about the donor or donors.

“There is such an array of art and artists from different cultures, places and time periods. It was important that we somehow ground the exhibit,” he said. “Each piece represents something important to that donor.”

The installation also includes anonymous tribal pieces from Congo and Mesoamerica, and works by regional modern painters and contemporary artists.

The ongoing partnership between UT Dallas and the DMA aims to make art more accessible to the North Texas community. “From Texas to the World” is the first installation of a planned annual rotation of exhibits featuring art from the DMA. Each installation will be curated by a UTD faculty member with the help of students.

“UT Dallas is proud to partner with the DMA and to feature art so deeply tied to the history of the University and its founders,” said Dr. Inga Musselman, UT Dallas provost, vice president for academic affairs and the Cecil H. Green Distinguished Chair of Academic Leadership. “We look forward to sharing future projects with the campus community and beyond.”

“From Texas to the World” is free to the public and on display through July 14.