AMoA celebrates 50 years by sharing part of its collection in new exhibit

Brianna Maestas, Amarillo Globe-News
·2 min read

The Amarillo Museum of Art (AMoA) is celebrating its 50th anniversary and displaying its collection in commemoration.

Georgia O’Keeffe's art piece, "Train Coming in — Canyon, Texas, 1916," will be on display in the Amarillo Museum of Art's 50th anniversary exhibition, which runs Jan. 15 to March 27.
Georgia O’Keeffe's art piece, "Train Coming in — Canyon, Texas, 1916," will be on display in the Amarillo Museum of Art's 50th anniversary exhibition, which runs Jan. 15 to March 27.

“This first exhibition of the year is an achievement in art that honors a collector ... so, with our 50th anniversary and with this exhibition, we decided to honor our own collection,” said Alex Gregory, curator of art for AMoA.

AMoA opened its doors to the public in 1972, by founder Betty Bivins Childers, and since then, it has created a collection of worldly known pieces with more than 3,000 pieces.

Some artwork that will be on display in the exhibit include collection pieces by Georgia O’Keeffe, Andy Warhol, and Larry Bell, with sculptures by Louise Nevelson, John Brough Miller, and Ben Woitena.

Portrait of John F. Kennedy, by artist Elaine de Kooning in1963, is on display in the Amarillo Museum of Art's 50th anniversary exhibit, which runs from Jan. 15 to March 27. The watercolor on paper, 18 x 14 7/8 inches, is a gift of Mrs. Malcolm Shelton.
Portrait of John F. Kennedy, by artist Elaine de Kooning in1963, is on display in the Amarillo Museum of Art's 50th anniversary exhibit, which runs from Jan. 15 to March 27. The watercolor on paper, 18 x 14 7/8 inches, is a gift of Mrs. Malcolm Shelton.

“The AMoA rarely has its collection on view throughout the building at one time, so this is a truly special exhibition to see. There will be a great variety of works throughout all three floors of the museum, definitely something for everyone to enjoy,” said Kim Mahan, the museum's executive director.

The exhibit will also include photographs by Stephen Shore, Dorothea Lange, Russell Lee, and Ansel Adams; paintings by David Bates, Elaine de Kooning, and John Marin; and prints by Jim Dine, Roger Shimomura, Ed Ruscha. In addition, the collection includes gifts of Asian art from Dr. and Mrs. William T. Price.

Utagawa Hiroshige Ishiyakushi: The Yoshitsune Cherry Tree near the Noriyori Shrine, no. 45 from the series Collection of Illustrations of Famous Places near the Fifty-Three Stations [Along the Tōkaidō], 1855 that will be on display in AMoA's 50th Anniversary exhibit from Jan. 15 to Mar. 27
Utagawa Hiroshige Ishiyakushi: The Yoshitsune Cherry Tree near the Noriyori Shrine, no. 45 from the series Collection of Illustrations of Famous Places near the Fifty-Three Stations [Along the Tōkaidō], 1855 that will be on display in AMoA's 50th Anniversary exhibit from Jan. 15 to Mar. 27

“It is important to celebrate the museum and recognize the impact that it has had and continues to have on the residents of the Texas Panhandle. The AMoA’s 50th anniversary is a moment to honor our past while anticipating our future,” Mahan said.

The exhibit will be open to the public from Jan. 15 to March 27. Individuals can view the collection during the museum's hours, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and from 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is free.

AMoA's season sponsors include Dr. and Mrs. Michael Engler, Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Smith, Dr. Kent Roberts and Ilene Roberts Balliett Foundation, David D. and Nona S. Payne Foundation.

AMoA is located at 2200 South Van Buren on the Washington Street campus of Amarillo College. For additional information, visit www.amoa.org.

This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: AMoA displays collection in honor of 50th anniversary