GENERAL INFORMATION


THE ART MUSEUM, spilling into five gallery spaces on the first and second floors, offers a rich, diverse array of traveling exhibits as well as art from the permanent collection. The Grace Museum strives to show art from all over the world, from throughout history and in a broad range of mediums. Offering lectures, symposiums, demonstrations, family activities, and a wide range of children's programs, the Grace Museum is a leader in the cultural life of Abilene and West Central Texas.


Musical masterpieces are created daily in the Art Museum at the Grace, all through blocks of wood.

 

This unique experience is possible through the permanent exhibit, Grace Notes. Created by artist and musician Edward Weiss from Michigan, this interactive sculpture is a life-size artwork of colors, shapes and sounds designed for noise, fun and plenty of hands-on play.

 

It is difficult "not to touch" this sculpture. Its brightly colored blocks and geometric shapes lure visitors to reach out and feel them. Fortunately, this artwork is for touching. The Grace Notes sculpture consists of many brightly-colored wooden touch pads that are electronically wired to emit sound. Grouped by color, each touch pad produces a different tone. The musical touch pads can be played singularly or grouped to create simple compositions.

 

Grace Notes is the largest of the Edward Weiss Interactive Sound Wall Sculptures created to date, encompassing a 12' by 14' area of The Grace Museum and is the only one of its kind in Texas .

 

The Grace also maintains a large permanent collection. These pieces have either been donated or purchased with money the museum receives through grants.


 


The Grace Museum's exhibitions and educational programs are supported in part by grants from:
Texas Commission on the Arts | Community Foundation of Abilene | Greathouse Foundation
The Shelton Family Foundation | The Dodge Jones Foundation | Dian Graves Owen Foundation
The Abilene Cultural Affairs Council | The City of Abilene | Taylor County
The Downtown Revitalization Program of the Tax Increment Finance District