Campus Life

Forsyth Galleries To Celebrate 30th Anniversary

The Forsyth Galleries will celebrate its 30th anniversary with party and immersive opera experience Nov. 15.
By Molly Painter, Texas A&M University Art Galleries November 8, 2019

Students view glass encased art exhibit
The Forsyth was established in 1989 as a museum to house the Bill ’35 and Irma Runyon Art Collection.

Forsyth Galleries

The Forsyth Galleries on the Texas A&M University campus will celebrate its 30th anniversary on Friday, Nov. 15, 2019 at 6:30 p.m. with a free party and an immersive opera in the Forsyth Galleries.

The Forsyth, a series of art galleries on the second floor of the Memorial Student Center, is celebrating its 1989 establishment with a party and an immersive operatic performance. The opera was written exclusively for the galleries by composer Nathan Felix of Austin, according to Jenn Korolenko, curator of education and public programs.

“Mr. Felix approached us many months ago in hopes of collaborating on a program, and the 30th anniversary party just felt like the right place and time to have an immersive experience in our spaces,” Korolenko said.

Felix, who got his start writing and playing for bands, most notably The Noise Revival Orchestra, based the musical compositions on three paintings of Native Americans he selected from the galleries’ collections. All three paintings chosen by Felix will be on display during the event.

The Texas A&M, Bryan/College Station, and surrounding communities are invited to attend the party, while enjoying hors d’oeuvres and an open bar serving beer and wine. Guests can also view current art exhibitions and experience the immersive opera in a museum setting.

“Of course we’re looking to appeal to Texas A&M students, but these programs are free and open to the public, both campus and community,” Korolenko said.

The Forsyth will also be celebrating throughout the coming year with other free events and a Nov. 23 field trip to the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (MFAH), which is already at capacity, to view works by Berthe Morisot.

“The 30th anniversary is an ideal time to celebrate the legacy of the Forsyth Galleries on campus by offering a variety of fun and educational events that highlight the collections and give the community new reasons to visit,” Elizabeth Appleby, assistant director, said.

Guests can register for the party at tx.ag/30th, or email Jenn Korolenko at jkorolenko@uart.tamu.edu to get on a waitlist for the MFAH field trip.

The Forsyth was established in 1989 as a museum to house the Bill ’35 and Irma Runyon Art Collection. It contains one of the world’s leading collections of English cameo glass, as well as a significant collection of 19th- and early 20th-century American art glass and paintings.

Media contacts:

  • Molly Painter, University Art Galleries, Texas A&M University Division of Student Affairs, 979-845-8501, mpainter@uart.tamu.edu.
  • Jenn Korolenko, University Art Galleries, Texas A&M University Division of Student Affairs, 979-458-5460, jkorolenko@uart.tamu.edu.

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