IS003
MEMBER NEWSLETTER
IMAS
JAN. - MAR. 2017
MUSETTE
P2 / EARLIEST PERMANENT COLLECTION First Objects in the IMAS Permanent Collection
P3 / 50TH ANNIVERSARY
MONTHLY ACTIVITIES Monthly events to celebrate IMAS's 50th Anniversary
� What were you
doing in 1967? ˮ
It was the year of the World’s first heart transplant, the first ATM, NASA launched Lunar Orbiter 3, gas was 33 cents a gallon, the first Rolling Stones Magazine was published, the Beatles released Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, and in the Rio Grande Valley town of McAllen the McAllen International Museum was founded on June 2 through the efforts of the Women’s Junior Service League and the McAllen City Commission. The McAllen International Museum started operations and opened their doors on October 26, 1969 in a 5,000 sq. ft. building. During this time the museum presented and showcased collections in art, science and history. The museum staff and Board of Trustees made annual acquisitions to collect Mexican folk art and contemporary art of the region. In addition to art acquisitions, the museum also collected scientific specimens of rocks, minerals, and sea life including coral and shells. Fast forward to 1974 when the McAllen citizens voted to construct a new 21, 000 sq. ft. building at its present location on Nolana
P4 / UPCOMING EXHIBITONS
Check out the new exhibitions in 2017!
P5 / EDUCATION EVENTS Programs & Events
Ave. through a city bond. The Board of Trustees raised $400,000 for new exhibits, furnishings and landscaping. Jump ahead to 1982 when the Board of Trustees narrowed the focus of the museum to the arts and sciences and in 2001 an additional building was added and the name changed to the International Museum of Art & Science. Today the International Museum of Art & Science has 50,000 sq. ft. of exhibition, programming and outside sculpture and play space. The museum hosts over 70,000 visitors a year. The International Museum of Art & Science is the largest art and science museum in the Rio Grande Valley. I want to personally invite you to take part in the many activities we have planned for our 50th Anniversary. Each month we have a special program with our kickoff beginning in January. McAllen residents have supported us throughout our history. As a way to give back to McAllen residents we are offering free general admission from Jan. 8-16, 2017 for all McAllen residents. On February 19, we will be helping those in need on our 50 years, 50 pounds of Food Day.
Julie Johnson President, IMAS
February 19th is the 50th day of 2017. It is the 50th day of our 50th year so we are collecting 50 lbs. of food to give to the RGV Food Bank. We will collect canned goods or non-perishable food items. Each person to bring in one of these will receive one free general admission ticket (one ticket/person). These are just the first of many events. We will be celebrating our 50th Anniversary with a huge celebration on our Founder’s Day June 2. We hope that you will join us and celebrate with us at one or more of our events this year.