Exhibit Time

 

LOWMAN STUDENT CENTER GALLERY

BOTANICAL RESEARCH ART EXHIBIT

 

Wednesday, April 22nd-Friday, May 8th

Reception Thursday, April 30th, 5-6:30 p.m.

 

Seems like this part of the journey was taking a long time to get here, but I am so happy to be exhibiting my art and research.

 

I still have some loose ends to wrap up, a few more blogs, field sketches, and finishing touches on the maps, but overall my research is completed.

 

Thank you for coming along.

 

Until Next Time.

 



SHSU-Botanical Study Final Post-What's Next

I have thoroughly enjoyed this project, because the experience has definitely left me with more reasons to be a proud BearKat.  A rich heritage one should embrace.

Also, my research project has given me a platform, as an artist and lover of history, to showcase some of the many wonderful hidden treasures which make Sam Houston State University and Museum complex one of the best Centers for Higher Education.

As a student and I am like many of the faculty, we are  all busy running from place to place on campus, never taking  time to "smell the roses.". I hope I have given you a reason to slow down and appreciate our campus surroundings.

The bulk of my research is now complete, so I will be moving onto the next phase which includes: art exhibits, lectures, writing a book, and creating a scholarship fund. All parts in my plan, as a future Alumni, to leave a positive footprint where Sam Houston himself once tread.

Until Next Time.

SHSU Botanical Study-Art Complex

  SHSU Art Program and Art Department location has gone through many changes over the years.

Outdoor Pizza Oven used for Department special events

 This Blue Agave cactus plant was a transplant from one of the pups of a propagated cacti of Department Slide Librarian, Debra Harper.  She originally planted some of these cactus, in 2005, in a bed outside where she offices in the Lecture Hall, Building E.  Later the Grounds Crew wanted to create a Xeriscape bed outside the Art Department Office and 3G Gallery, and planted more in the front beds.

Student Art Association Billboard across from this site is this unusual site, a male and female (berry producing side) tree has intertwined their trunks.

Student 's art project hanging from an unusual Yaupon tree.  It appears that the male and female roots of two trees grew close together and this is the result. 

Another common plant found in Texas is growing around corner is a Lantana bush. Another common plant found in Texas which  attracts butterflies and hummingbirds with its' colorful blooms beginning in the Spring through until a Fall freeze.

 

 

Art Found Surrounding the  Complex

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Tree in the background is a Pecan. 

 In the 1980's the site was cleared. 

 

The Canterbury House once stood where Art Building D and the sitting area is currently located.  This particular house was built for Harry F. Estill as a retirement home, and remained in the family until 1979.  The last use of the home was as the Episcopal Student Center.

 

Behind Art Building B where Ceramic and Printmaking classes are held, and the SOFA Gallery is located an unusual plant can be found, a Hercules Club.  It is also known as a Toothache Tree or Tickle Tongue Tree because of the numbing sensation it leaves in the mouth.  It has medicinal properties to relieve the pain of teething.

 

 



 

 

Until Next Time.

 

 

 



 

 

 





 





 



SHSU Botanical Research- ABIII & Farrington Bldg.(SELF-GUIDED TOUR #11 & #12)

SELF-GUIDED TOUR MAP #11 & #12
FITNESS WALKING MAP -  1.5- 1.0 Mile

Once you top the hill and go around ABIII building you will run into the cannon known as Boomer.   There even is a special ROTC group called the Cannon Crew who fires one at special occasions.

Make note that across Bowers Blvd. is the Art Complex, which will be our last part of the Building and Botanical Research Tour.

Now keep walking to our last stop #12 on the Main Campus grounds to the Farrington Building.

If you go just past this sign and look on the left side of the sidewalk you will see these in ground plaques. 

 

 

Dr. Russell Palma who at the time was the Chair of the Physics department and Frank Cooper, had an idea sometime around 1992-93, to create and install stainless steel plaques that accurately represents our Solar System.  

First of the series of plaques

 



 

In the back of Austin Hall, near this statue of Sam Houston is where Pluto, the last of the plaques is located.


 

Time to back track a little, go back to where "Boomer" the cannon is located by ABIII building.  You will be crossing Bower Blvd. and going to the Art Complex located in the metal buildings sitting on the corner.

 

Until Next Time.

 

 

 



 

 

 

SHSU Botanical Research- CHSS Building and Garden with Water Wall (SELF-GUIDED TOUR #9 & #10)

SELF-GUIDED TOUR MAP #9 & #10
FITNESS WALKING MAP -  1.5 Mile



CHSS BUILDING (Back of Building)

This next garden area is a little more hidden.  The Water Wall and gardens are located on the backside of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS) building. 


 

According to Scott Dolezal, Grounds Manager, the Water Wall and garden was the vision of retired Dean DeCastro and

 

 

artist, Jesus Moroles.   Funding came from the unused building art budget and donations generated from these engraved granite bricks.

 

CHSS Water Wall and Garden with seating

 

Garden with  Engraved Granite Bricks



 



Also, located in this area is the Earth Day tree. 

This tree was planted, by the Staff Counsel, about a year or more before the Water Wall was under constructed. The tree is a Tulip Popular and the only one of that species presently on the campus.

Very unusual blooms

 

One last stop on the SELF-GUIDED TOUR map.  Head up the hill to #11 and #12.

 

Until Next Time.

 

SHSU Botanical Research- NGL and Education Center (Genevieve H. Brown Garden), Children Sculpture SELF-GUIDED TOUR #6 & #7

SELF-GUIDED TOUR MAP #6 & #7
FITNESS WALKING MAP - Between 1.0 & 1.5 Mile


In between the Newton Gresham Library building and the Garrett Education Center next to the sidewalk leading to the faculty parking areas is this Reflecting Garden dedicated to a former Dean of Education.

 

Dean Genevieve Brown a beloved faculty member of SHSU, who had a long career, 48 years in Education with 28 years at Sam Houston before retiring.

Her reflective, butterfly garden was built with love.

Now coming back up the walkway and heading toward SELF-GUIDED TOUR #8 you will pass this bronze sculpture of children. 

According to the Heritage magazine, on April 1, 1989, this sculpture of a little boy pushing a young girl on a swing was presented as a "tribute to most student's favorite school period, recess and also to a former SHSU first lady", Frances Handley Bowers (1970-1989).  Bowers was a long time resident of Huntsville for over 50 years.  She was a drum major, and graduated from Sam Houston with a bachelor and two master degrees.

The CHSS building is the next stop between SELF-GUIDED TOUR #9 & #10.

Until Next Time.

SHSU Botanical Research- The Mall Area, Alumni Garden, Presidents Tree, Ravens Call Planter SELF-GUIDED TOUR #6

SELF-GUIDED TOUR MAP #6
FITNESS WALKING MAP - Between .05 & 1.0 Mile

The SHSU Mall area is another one of those places on campus that is full of fun exploration.

The Blatchley Bell Tower/Clock are fairly recent additions to the University grounds.  In April 2005, the Garden Clock and Tower were finished.  At noon you can hear the clock chime to the tune of "Hey Jude.". Also wonder why the clock's face has IIII and not IV?


Mall Area Fountain



 

Bell Tower & Clock

 

Next to the Bell Tower is this  memorial marker for

Rachel Pendray

An unfortunate victim of a violent crime

 who was shot and killed.

 

 

Raven's Call is another fairly recent yearly tradition that pays tribute to Lost Bearkats and is held in this area of the Mall.

The Alumni Garden is a area designated to honoring Alumni and a way to raise funds for the University Alumni Association.

 



 

The Presidents Tree  " a beautiful Saucer Magnolia that was planted in 1912 following the construction of the new state residence that the Estill family would occupy. The tree stands as a reminder of the history and legacy of the University."

While continuing to walk down the pathway, you will see a 20 ft. Statue of Sam Houston between the Lowman Student Center and the Smith-Hutton which was a $40,000 gift from Ron Mafrige, and sculpted by artist, David Adickes, who also made the 60 ft. Statue of Sam Houston on the I-45 access road.


Ron Mafrige

The Tour continues between markers #7 & #8.

 

 

Until Next Time.

 

 

 

SHSU Botanical Research- Administration Building (Hydrangeas) SELF-GUIDED TOUR #5

SELF-GUIDED TOUR MAP #5
FITNESS WALKING MAP - Between .05 & 1.0 Mile Presumably you have finished exploring areas around Austin Hall, Old Main, Jewel Garden, and Peabody Memorial Library.  In continuing your walk you will see this bench on the sidewalk leading to the Dan Rather building.

 

Immediately past the Dan Rather Communications building you will arrive at a sidewalk located between this building and the Administration Building.  Before heading on this pathway to the Mall area, make a small detour to look at the stunning Hydrangea bushes growing in front of the Admin. Building.

 

Hydrangeas is a genus of 70-75 species of flowering native plants, that find their origins in eastern Asia and the Americas.  In China, Japan, and Korea is the greatest species diversity.  Their height ranges from 3-5 feet tall, while a few can reach heights of 98 Ft by climbing up trees.  They are either deciduous or evergreen.
Their flowerheads are shaped and  resemble pom-poms.
Also next to the  building where University Presidents office is another bench commemorating former President Gaertner.

 

 

Now use the SELF-GUIDED TOUR map as a guide and walk towards the Mall area, Tour #6, but make a stop at the waterfall.

 

Until Next Time.