Amy Faulconer and the late Vernon Faulconer. Courtesy

JON PERRY, Special Contributor

 

The Tyler Museum of Art spotlights 25 years in the evolution of its permanent collection while paying homage to two of its most generous benefactors with its next major exhibition, “Devotion: The Impact of Amy and Vernon Faulconer on Our Collection.”

The exhibition opens Aug. 19 and continues through Nov. 27. Admission is free.

“Devotion” features 24 works from the museum’s permanent collection – all by Texas artists – that either were purchased by or acquired as a result of the generosity of Amy Faulconer of Tyler and her late husband, Vernon Faulconer, Executive Director Chris Leahy said.

“Perhaps more than any individual donors in our 45-year history, Amy and Vernon were responsible for the TMA’s evolution from an exhibition-only museum to a collecting institution,” Leahy said. “Beginning with the acquisition of Terry Allen’s landmark ‘Iron Triangle’ in 1986, shortly after Vernon came on as president of our Board of Trustees, their encouragement and financial support helped us build one of the most impressive permanent collections in the state of Texas.”

“Devotion” marks the first time this selection of permanent collection works have been gathered together in a single exhibition. In addition to Allen, artists with work in the exhibition include David Bates, Vernon Fisher, Joseph Glasco, Karl Umlauf and Tyler natives William Montgomery and Graydon Parrish.

“Vernon Faulconer’s untimely passing last August was a profound loss for our community and the art world, and this exhibition is a way for us to honor his memory and celebrate the legacy that Amy continues,” Leahy said. “‘Devotion’ is a tribute to and a celebration of a couple whose far-reaching influence as art collectors was surpassed only by their thoughtful philanthropy.”

Exhibition sponsors in honor of Amy and Vernon Faulconer are Marilyn Abegg-Glass, Eleanor Cameron, Beryl Cobb, Helen and Dr. C. Noah Israel, Martha and Randy Key, Kathie and Leo Mack, John and Ellen Musselman, Marilyn Richey, Robyn Rogers and Bob Rice, Barbara Shtofman, and Dr. and Mrs. Bill Starling. The media sponsor is Tyler Today Magazine.

 

SPECIAL EVENTS

 Special events in connection with “Devotion” include First Friday Tours of the exhibition at 11 a.m. on Sept. 2, Oct. 7 and Nov. 4 and Family Days from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sept. 10, Oct. 8 and Nov. 12. Admission to special events is free but reservations are encouraged.

The Tyler Museum of Art is located 1300 S. Mahon Ave. on the campus of Tyler Junior College. The museum is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Jon Perry is the museum’s communication coordinator.