Painting of an old two-story, white house with black and white dairy cows in the front yard, a gas pump, an old blue pickup truck, clothes on the line, a water well, and a barn.

E.M. "Buck" Schiwetz, “Grand Lakes,” On loan from the Collection of Pamela Nelson and Will Harte

 

The Artistic Legacy of Buck Schiwetz

Sept. 21–Dec. 16, 2023
J. Wayne Stark Galleries | Memorial Student Center, MSC 1110

 

This exhibition explores the work of a renowned Texas A&M University artist, architect and advertising executive and the impact his work had on Texas art history. From the pine forests of East Texas to the Coastal Bend, E.M. “Buck” Schiwetz ’21 documented much of the state and helped to preserve what he called the “unheralded buildings of historical significance” that were slowly being eroded by time. He also captured numerous scenes related to the production of oil, both on land and on sea.

He called himself an architectural and historical artist saying, “Far more artists know how to paint a nude than how to catch the sunlight and shadow on an old courthouse, or the charm of a Mexican cottage, or the rugged strength and power of an offshore drilling rig.” (From “Buck Schiwetz’ Texas,” University of Texas Press, Austin, 1960.)

This exhibition represents the sixth installation in the Texas Art Project series.

 

Advertising poster for a 1976 gallery exhibition. Black and white photo of Buck Schiwetz seated bare foot next to a riverbank facing right. Text below reads E.M. ‘Buck’ Schiwetz, Class of ’21, 1972 Distinguished Alumnus, Paintings from MSC Collection on Display in Main Lounge.

Advertising poster for a 1976 gallery exhibition in the MSC.

Texas A&M Press Book cover for "The Artistic Legacy of Buck Schiwetz." Features painting by Schiwetz of a coastal scene and pelicans on the beach.

Book: “The Artistic Legacy of Buck Schiwetz”

By William E. Reaves Jr. and Linda J. Reaves
Texas A&M University Press, Joe and Betty Moore Texas Art Series

“The Artistic Legacy of Buck Schiwetz” provides a long-overdue examination of this important Texas artist and his legacy: the first authoritative treatment of Schiwetz’ career as both fine artist and accomplished illustrator and the first scholarly examination of his full body of work.

 

 

Virtual Tour

 

Step inside the galleries and view this exhibition virtually. Click on the white “hotspots” on the floor to move around, and listen to a select group of collectors talk about their artworks by clicking on the sound icons. You can find more digital resources to explore on our Virtual Tours page.