NEWS RELEASE

Office of External Communications

Houston, TX 77204-5017 Fax: 713.743.8199

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 29, 2007

Contact: Marisa Ramirez
713.743.8152 (office)
713.204.9798 (cell)
mrcannon@uh.edu
LIVING IN HARMONY: NEW UH EXHIBIT CELEBRATES ARTS PATRON
JANE BLAFFER OWEN AND ARTISAN LIFE IN NEW HARMONY, IND.

Houstonians recognize Jane Blaffer Owen as one of the city’s most prolific arts patrons, but her passion for art and architecture extends far beyond the Bayou City. Her greatest patronage has been her contributions to a thriving and progressive arts community in New Harmony, Ind. Now, the University of Houston Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture is honoring Owen for her lifetime support of the arts.

The exhibition “Jane Blaffer Owen and the Legacy of New Harmony,” opens April 2 and remains on view through April 27. Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. A free public reception is scheduled for 5 p.m., Thursday, April 12 at the college.

“Jane Blaffer Owen's name is synonymous with art, and is very close to the hearts of Houstonians," said Joe Mashburn, dean of the College of Architecture. "New Harmony is a reflection of her love and dedication to the ideas and ideals that inspire our national character--faith, creativity and intellect. Our college and our university are pleased to honor her for her life's work.”

The exhibit features architectural models of works commissioned by Owen, as well as photographs of some of the landmark buildings in New Harmony. Diane Roberts is curator of the exhibition.

Owen became involved with New Harmony in 1941 after her marriage to Kenneth Dale Owen, whose ancestors purchased the town. Since then, she has dedicated her life to preserving the town’s original buildings, commissioning structures and works of art by celebrated architects and artists and sponsoring programs that bring artists, writers and spiritual leaders to the city.

Owen was the first president of the Allied Arts Council of Houston. She has served on the boards of directors of the Houston Symphony Society and Contemporary Arts Association.

The event is underwritten by the Robert Lee Blaffer Foundation; Fulbright & Jaworski, L.L.P.; Avalon Advisors; and Visinsky & Associates, PC.

For more information on the UH Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture, please visit www.arch.uh.edu/home/index.html

WHAT: “Jane Blaffer Owen and the Legacy of New Harmony”
WHEN: On view April 2 – 27
Public reception 5 p.m., Thursday April 12
WHERE: UH Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture, first floor
For directions and parking information, please visit www.uh.edu/campus_map/buildings/ARC.html.

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