The Evolution of American Art
In 1985, Jean Warner Epperson and a group of interested Wacoans formed an organization designed to encourage the study, preservation, and appreciation of American history, art, literature, music, drama, landscape, trade, and the entire spectrum of decorative arts through illustrated presentations and seminars! Its mission also included providing scholarships for students and teachers in these various disciplines to attend the Forum at no cost. These diverse themes have been explored previously:
1985 The Decorative Arts of Early Texas, 1890-1900
1986 The Decorative Arts of the Southwest
1987 Life and Arts in the Antebellum South
1988 Women in the Arts
1989 A Celebration of Victorian Elegance
1990 America Comes of Age: Emerging Arts and Culture
1991 Hudson Valley Anthology: An American Treasure
1992 Palaces of the Gilded Age
1993 The China Trade
1994 Texas – The Arts Today
1995 The French Influence on the American Arts
1996 Tidewater Virginia and Low Country South
1997 Spanish Colonial Art in the New World
1998 Antiques: Connoisseurship and Collecting
1999 Living with Style, 1880-1930
2000 Elegance with a New England Accent, 1750-1850
2001 Let’s Jazz It Up: Savoring New Orleans
2002 From Cottage to Castle: Elegant English Country Living
2003 A Pilgrimage to Natchez
2004 Palazzi, Pavarotti and Pizza: The Italianate in America
2005 The Wonders of the Orient
2006 A Texas Six Pack: Subtle Secrets of Six Cities
2007 Quintessential Collectors and Their Collections
2008 1776: Creating a Nation and its Culture
2009 Made in the USA: Uniquely American Treasures
2010 Our Western Heritage
2011 Preserving Our Past
2012 Prelude to the Present
2013 An Illuminating Look at Louis Comfort Tiffany
2014 Texas Stars: Shapers of History and the Arts
2015 Great American Homes and Gardens
2016 Celebrating the Visual and Performing Art
2017 Seaport Cities: Then and Now
2018 Kaleidoscope: A World of Wonder
2019 The Art in Science and the Science in Art
2020 & 2021 cancelled due to COVID-19
2022 Enduring American Symbols
2023 A Potpourri of Art
In 2024, join us to learn about the evolution of American art. How did it begin? Who are our outstanding artists? Where did it diverge from European art? Don’t miss this unique opportunity…register now!