Forsyth Galleries Permanent Collections

The Forsyth showcases an important collection of late 19th and early 20th century glass and American paintings. The Forsyth was originally established in 1989 as a museum to house the Bill ’35 and Irma Runyon Art Collection. The Runyon Collection contains one of the world’s leading collections of English cameo glass, as well as a significant collection of 19th and early 20th century American art glass and paintings. The Runyons’ collecting foci have continued to guide the Forsyth Galleries collections as they have grown through a combination of generous gifts and bequests. Later additions to the permanent collection, such as the Donald C. and Ruth C. Smith Paperweight Collection and the Marion Byrd Majolica Pottery Collection, expand upon the themes of decorative and fine arts established by Mr. and Mrs. Runyon.

The Forsyth’s glass collection offers an extensive overview of different types of glass, such as cameo, blown, pressed, cut glass, and paperweights. The majority of the collection is comprised of pieces by Thomas Webb & Sons, Stevens & Williams, Louis Comfort Tiffany, Steuben, and Mt. Washington Glass Co., to name a few. Our world-renowned collection of English cameo glass includes more than 120 pieces and features several works by celebrated designers and carvers George and Thomas Woodall. The Smith Paperweight Collection includes both historic pieces manufactured by Baccarat, St. Louis and Clichy, as well as contemporary works by artists such as Debbie Tarsitano, Paul Stankard, and Rick Ayotte.

The Forsyth’s painting collection encompasses rich examples of American artists, such as American Impressionists Mary Cassatt and Childe Hassam. Holdings also include iconic American artists such as Winslow Homer and Guy Carlton Wiggins, as well as examples from each member of the controversial group known as “The Eight.” The collection would not be complete without images that document the American expansion into the West, with paintings by Frederic Remington, Charles Russell, and intimate Native American portraits by Joseph Henry Sharp.

Pieces from the collection are available for private viewings by appointment. Contact the Forsyth Galleries collections manager, Heather Bennett, at [email protected] or 979-845-9251 to arrange an appointment.