July 7, 2003

Contact Michael Cinelli for information on the Mitchell gift announcement at 713/743-8155

Center for the Arts at UH

Blaffer Gallery, the Art Museum of the University of Houston

Founded in 1973, fills a unique niche in Houston’s cultural community as a laboratory for the exploration of visual art, creating an aesthetically and intellectually stimulating environment for active critical interaction with works of art and ideas.

Focuses on creative process—the how and why of art making… facilitates audience investigation and conversation about aesthetics and ideas through exhibitions, publications, and public programs.

Presents eight to ten exhibitions annually, featuring artists from the region, the nation, and abroad, all with accompanying books, catalogues, and brochures that feature original primary research.

Gives emerging artists, such as Michael Ray Charles, Jeremy Blake, and Jessica Stockholder, their first U.S. museum exhibition… investigates special aspects of careers of renowned artists… presents the work of UH students to a broad audience… travels exhibitions to venues throughout the United States and the world.

Publishes award-winning books, exhibition catalogues, and the Newsline journal reaching a broad national audience… since 1985 has received more than 30 awards of excellence for publications from American Association of Museums, Texas Association of Museums, and American Federation of Arts.

Serves more than 36,000 artists and patrons, students, faculty and staff, and urban constituents annually through its exhibitions that reflect diversity in culture, media, and artistic careers.

Serves children K-12 through UHReach, a diverse program of activities and events that enhance the philosophy that visual arts are a vital part of learning… programs include guided tours of exhibitions, the Mobile Art Quest that visits schools, the Young Artist Apprenticeship program, and Summer Arts Workshops.

Promotes learning as a continuous process through ArtLAB, programs for university students and general adult audiences, including guided tours, “brown bag” lunches with artists and scholars, Contemporary Salons and Committee on Visual Culture, and interactive, exhibition-specific Web site development.

Provides artistic leadership in the community through its Director and Chief Curator, Terrie Sultan, who has published and lectured widely on issues related to contemporary art and culture… the Director’s recent books include Chuck Close Prints: Process and Collaboration (Princeton University Press, 2003); Seeing and Believing: the Art of Nancy Burson (Twin Palms Press, 2001); and Kerry James Marshall (Harry Abrams, Inc., 2000).

For more information about UH visit the university’s ‘Newsroom’ at www.uh.edu/admin/media/newsroom.