Collection Connection

Upcycled Sculpture

Gather up all of your plastic recycling for this slightly more advanced upcylcled sculpture project. Reminiscent of seaweed, plants, and organic forms – this sculpture is inspired by the work of recently exhibited artist, Margaret Smithers Crump who mixes all kinds of media with hand cut actylic forms for her installations. #MadeItAtTheGrace

How to Paint: Watercolor Clouds

Get out your watercolors and a flat brush to learn how to paint basic watercolor clouds inspired by collection artist, Bob Stuth-Wade’s painting “Mounting Heaven”. #MadeItAtTheGrace

Illustrated Happy Hour: Melissa Miller + Dark and Stormy

April Shower bring… STORMS in the plains of West Texas! For this Illustrated Happy Hour, meet artist Melissa Miller’s painting Tempesta – a storm of color while sipping on this week’s cocktail – the Dark and Stormy.

Tot Spot: Found Object Art

Look around in a new way in today’s Tot Spot as we focus on Found Object Art! See how artists use objects they find to create something new and then make your own new work of art.

Illustrated Happy Hour: Jerry Bywaters + Pineapple Mojito Sangria

Grab your watercolors, mix up a pitcher of sangria and join us for this Illustrated Happy Hour – #WeekofGratitude edition. Featuring artist Jerry Bywaters and a new print to The Grace Museum collection.

Floral Photo Basics

It’s Film Friday of #WeekofGratitude and today we are making share Floral Photography basic tips and techniques so you can make a “photo bouquet” for the Mom or Teacher in your life – or anyone to whom you would like to show gratitude!

Artists Who Teach

#WeekofGratitude continues today with our special tribute to Artists Who Teach! The Grace Museum has a special connection to our regional Art Teachers and our permanent art collection includes several important Texas Art Educators. Join us today in thanking and celebrating those special Artists Who Teach.

Illustrated Happy Hour: Michael Frary + Prickly Pear Margarita

Wednesday means #IllustratedHappyHour with the Grace! This week we discuss artist Michael Frary who is known for his beautiful seascapes in honor of #worldoceansday2020 and make a beach worthy cocktail with Cypress Street Station! Don’t forget your watercolors for the activity at the end.

Watermelon Folding Fan

Did you know that The Grace Museum has MANY folding fans in our History collection? We are doing a special post about them for Fashion Week so check that out soon! Now – get out your paper and scissors to make this Summer folding fan to keep cool in the Texas heat.

History of the US Coast Guard

It’s #WayBackWednesday and we are diving deep into OCEANS this week in celebration of #WorldOceanDay2020. Today we actually have a little bit of a collection history mystery! Can you help us solve it?

Illustrated Happy Hour: Clint Hamilton + Andy Warhol

For this week’s Illustrated Happy Hour we are sharing a real Grace Museum celebrity – Clint Hamilton! Make a Manhattan with Cypress Street Station then learn about this Abilene-born artist and Andy Warhol contemporary and friend who was vastly influential on the arts scene in Abilene and whose life is beyond interesting!

Staff Picks: Kathryn

Kathryn Mitchell, Director of Education, shares one of her favorite pieces from the Grace Museum permanent art collection, Water Spirits by Melissa Miller.

Grace Celebrity: Bill Wright

Bill Wright, photographer, author, and namesake to the Grace Museum’s dedicated photography gallery (with wife Alice), has donated over 700 fine art photographs and other works of art to the collection. In addition, the Grace photography collection features over 160 of his own photographs.

Celebrity Artists from the Grace Collection

The Permanent Collection of the Grace Museum is home to works of art by many Celebrities of the art world including Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol, Henri Matisse, Alice Neel, Romare Bearden, Francisco Goya, Joan Miro, Ansel Adams, Robert Rauschenberg, and many more!

Film Friday: War Photographers + WPA Artists

Artists have played key roles in times of war. From documenting maneuvers and battles – to illustrating equipment and use manuals – their skills have served in ways that may sometimes be overlooked.

Illustrated Happy Hour: Benton Spruance + French 75 Cocktail

It’s time for another Illustrated Happy Hour – this week highlighting artist Benton Spruance. Learn how to make a French 75 cocktail from Cypress Street Station, learn about the artist, and then get your watercolor paints out to paint along!