Blanton Museum of Art: The University of Texas at Austin

50th Anniversary

On Saturday, February 16, the Blanton Museum of Art at The University of Texas at Austin hosted its golden anniversary gala— an elegant evening celebrating the museum’s milestone fiftieth anniversary and the vital role that the Blanton plays in the cultural landscape of Austin and beyond. The black-tie event was attended by more than 550 supporters of the museum and raised a record $1 million to provide essential funding in support of the Blanton’s wide range of programs for students, children, and adults.

Attendees from Texas and across the country included: Ellen and Mark Bivins (Amarillo); Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott, State Senator Kirk Watson, esteemed former and current University of Texas presidents Larry Faulkner and William Powers, Lynn and Tommie Meredith, Suzanne Deal Booth, Mary and Cab Gilbreath, and Bettye and Bill Nowlin (Austin); Cindy and Howard Rachofsky, Sally and Tom Dunning, Patty and James Huffines and Cindy and Armand Schwartz (Dallas); Museum Council Chair Judy Tate and her husband Charles Tate, museum namesake Jack S. Blanton and wife Ginger, Kelli and Eddy Blanton, Eliza and Stuart Stedman, Ginni and Richard Mithoff and Susan Garwood and George Peterkin (Houston); Alessandra and Kurt Dolnier (Watertown, CT); and Jenny and Trey Laird (New York).

The evening began with a VIP cocktail reception in the Blanton’s Rapoport Atrium where guests mingled and enjoyed a special viewing of Through the Eyes of Texas: Masterworks from Alumni Collections— an exhibition of nearly 200 works from the collections of UT alums from across the country, and a focal point of the 50th anniversary celebration. Afterwards, guests were escorted across the street to the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum for a dinner by Chef Elmar Prambs of the Four Seasons Hotel Austin, and remarks. State Senator Kirk Watson opened the program by reading a Senate Resolution in honor of the Blanton’s fifty years of service to the campus and community and was followed by President Bill Powers, Blanton director Simone Wicha, Blanton Museum Council Chair Judy Tate, and a special video by Electro- fish Films that highlighted the many ways in which the museum serves as a site for creativity and inspiration.

Following dinner, guests returned to the Blanton for Gold a Go-Go, the museum’s first ever gala after-party. There, nearly 600 additional attendees danced until midnight to musical performances by The Bluebonnets featuring Kathy Valentine (former member of The Go Go’s) with special guest Charlie Sexton, and DJ Mel.

Event Details

Honorary Chairs: Larry R. Faulkner, Jessie Otto Hite

Austin Chairs: Suzanne Deal Booth and David G. Booth, Jeanne and Mickey Klein, Mary and Howard Yancy

Houston Chairs: Nancy and Jim Gordon

Dallas Chairs: Patty and James Huffines, Cindy and Howard Rachofsky

Fort Worth Chairs: Kit and Charlie Moncrief

Amarillo Chairs: Ellen and Mark Bivins

Marfa Chair: Virginia Lebermann

Midland Chair: Joan R. Baskin

San Antonio Chairs: Barbara and Alan Dreeben

South Texas chairs: Carol Lynn and Cullen Looney

Leadership: Simone J. Wicha, Director, Blanton Museum of Art; Judy Tate, Chair, Blanton Museum Council