Muralist Daniel Anguilu to create project for Altharetta Yeargin Art Museum

Houston’s renowned artist Daniel Anguilu is set to create a large mural for the façade of the Altharetta Yeargin Art Museum (AYAM), 901 Yorkchester, beginning Monday, June 9. He will be assisted by high school art, photography and journalism students from the Spring Branch Independent School District.

“We are thrilled with Daniel’s interest in the museum,” said Leann Newton, AYAM co-curator. “Houstonians who are familiar with his work know that his interpretation of the museum’s collection will bring great recognition to the museum. And this is a unique opportunity for our art students to work under the direction of such a great artist.”

AYAM is an ethnographic museum that serves SBISD students and the community. SBISD is thought to be the only school district in the country to boast its own art museum. Most artifacts in the museum are a gift from Altharetta Yeargin, the district’s first art teacher and world traveler.

“AYAM is a jewel in the rough and one of Houston's best kept secrets with a world-class anthropologic art collection,” said Marianne van Arkel-Priest, independent curator and the AYAM board member who is spearheading the mural. “In France, similar museums are designated as musées de societies, or ‘community museums.’ AYAM is a community museum that brings the world to Houston.”

The mural project is part of the Museum’s transformation efforts that started last summer when van Arkel-Priest examined the collection. With the support of the museum’s board members, curators and volunteers, the exhibits were reorganized and the galleries revitalized. Other changes are in the planning stages, including floor geographical maps.

Work on the mural is expected to be completed by Friday, June 13. Student artists will be involved in every phase of the project, including planning, prepping and painting.  The community is invited to come out and watch the artists at work each morning during the entire week.

About Altharetta Yeargin Art Museum
Thought to be the nation’s only art museum located on a public school campus, AYAM is an art/ ethnographic experiential destination for students of all ages. When Altharetta Yeargin, the district’s first art teacher, donated her collection to SBISD, the district partnered with The Smithsonian Institution to design the current facility. It houses art and artifacts valued at more than $2 million and includes more than 600 works from around the world. AYAM is supported by individual and foundation donors.

Visit the AYAM website for more information.