Fine Art in the GPAC

Public Art at the Gaertner Performing Arts Center

The James and Nancy Gaertner Performing Arts Center (GPAC) is a diverse performing arts facility that houses three state-of-the-art performance venues, multiple rehearsal studios and faculty/staff offices. However, it is also a gallery--both inside and out--for the visuals arts. On, around and inside the GPAC, the walls and open spaces showcase the work of internationally known artists and sculptors.

Putting the Art in the James and Nancy Gaertner Performing Arts Center

The marriage of Art and Architecture elevates Sam Houston State University’s new, 100,000 square foot James and Nancy Gaertner Performing Arts Center to a rare space on campus.  WHR Architects, along with a University art committee, chose Art + Artisans, a Texas art consulting firm, to help commission the art for the space.

Eight major works comprise the heart of the original collection.  Most prominent is a 16-foot wood and steel installation, "Around the Flower Wall" by internationally known sculptor James Surls, a University Alumnus and former art professor.

Work by photographer Joe Aker, glass artists Kathleen Ash and Jason Lawson, renowned SHSU former professor emeritus of art Charles Pebworth, kinetic sculptor Tim Prentice and sculptor Hoss Haley are all represented within the facility. On permanent loan is another major sculpture by Texas artist Jesus Moroles.

View the artwork below or download the walking guide and see the works in person. 

Disk and pyramid by Charles Pebworth

 

Untitled Disc and Pyramid

by Charles Pebworth

(#2 on the walking map)

Wall photos by Joe Aker

Spanish Symmetry

by Joe Aker

(#4 on the walking map)

Photographs of dancers in the PAC dance stairwell

 

  Photographs by 

Rebecca Finley

(#12 on the walking map)

Orange glass blown artwork by Jason Lawson

 

Firedance

By Jason Lawson

(#13 on the walking map)

Glass pieces fuses together and arranged on the wall

 

Elemental Mandala

by Kathleen Ash

(#8 on the walking map)

Metal work mimicking fan blads

Toric Fan

by Hoss Haley

(#6 on the walking map)

Wooden fan blades in a flower-like pattern hanging from the PAC ceiling

 Around the Flower Wall

by James Surls

(#9 on the walking guide)

Numerous metal squares making up larger squares on the exterior wall of the PAC

By Tim Prentice

(#1 in the walking guide)

Four large square paintings in bright colors

 Just South of Infinity
Southwest of Infinity
Double Infinity
Southwest III

by Stanley Lea 

(#10 in the walking guide)

Tall granite column in the PAC lobby

Diamond Waves Column

by Jesús Morales

(#5 on the walking map)





The College of Fine Arts and Mass Communication
815 17th Street, Suite 190, Huntsville, Texas 77340
Phone: (936) 294-2340 | Fax: (936) 294-3413 | E-mail: cofamc@shsu.edu


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