UHCL Art Gallery to hold ‘Spiritus Mundi’ inspired benefit
The UHCL community is invited to the Mundi Ball being held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. May 19 in the Bayou Building. The benefit is to help expand the UHCL art gallery.
The event was given the name the Mundi Ball in tribute to the “Spiritus Mundi” sculpture outside the entrance of the Bayou Building.
UHCL Art Gallery Director Jeff Bowen has been in his position since 2011 and has had many accomplishments such as: overseeing the gallery’s first major renovation, overhauling its brand identity, launching a new website, raising tens of thousands of dollars in grants and individual gifts.
“Mundi Ball is a slightly humorous, double-entendre and tongue-and-cheek homage to the late Spanish artist Pablo Serrano, who created the ball-shaped sculpture titled ‘Spiritus Mundi’ that is outside of the Bayou Building,” Bowen said.
To go along with the Spanish theme of the event, there will be tapas, an open bar with a signature cocktail, live classical Spanish guitarists, and a flamenco performance.
“Students, staff and members of the community are welcome and encouraged to join us. It will be a fun party, and the theme will provide some aspects that might be unexpected,” Bowen said.
Guests are encouraged to wear cocktail, Flamenco or Running of the Bulls attire.
Tickets are $50 in advance and can be purchased at https://www.uhcl.edu/art-gallery/mundi-ball or $60 at the door. Visitors should park in Lot R with overflow parking in Employee Lot B.
“All ticket proceeds will contribute to the expansion of the gallery along with the proceeds from the silent auction,” Bowen said.
A few of the items in the silent auction include a downtown getaway weekend, mixed media pieces, a carved wooden sculpture and pieces from the “War Toys” collection by Brian McCarty.
The expansion will cost approximately $50,000 and will add 400 square feet to the art gallery and will include an office for the art director.
“The extra space will allow us to have more options when booking art exhibitions,” said Bowen. “It comes down to simple exhibition planning. In order to get certain traveling exhibitions, the art gallery needs enough square footage and running feet (linear wall space). For example, if a gallery has 100 linear feet, and a show has 20 works of art that are five feet wide they are not going to fit.”
The Art School for Children and Young Adults will be hosting a “Parents Night Out” class for children three and up. Parents attending the Mundi Ball can register at https://apps.uhcl.edu/ECommerce/Schedule/AS and leave their children at Arbor Central, Room 1315.03. Children in attendance will create artwork inspired by various cultures.
For more information please visit https://www.uhcl.edu/art-gallery/mundi-ball or contact the UHCL Art Gallery at 281-283-3376 or artgallery@uhcl.edu. The art gallery is located at: Bayou Building, Atrium I, Level 1 2700 Bay Area Blvd, Box 94. Houston, TX 77058-1002
