Special Exhibitions

Special Exhibitions at The Bryan Museum

Special Exhibitions are a wonderful way for The Bryan Museum to shed light on untold stories and highlight extraordinary people, events, eras, subcultures, and movements that contribute to the story of Texas, Galveston, and the American West. These dynamic exhibitions are here on display for a limited time, but some go on to become traveling exhibits. They range from select items from The Bryan Museum vault that have been curated for a themed exhibition to special collections from museum partners across the country.

Exhibition Opening Receptions for Members

The Bryan Museum’s members have a chance to view Special Exhibitions before they open to the public! All members get invited to Members’ Opening Night receptions for select exhibitions, where they can enjoy drinks and hors d’oeuvres, explore the exhibit space, socialize with other members, and even meet individuals involved in the making of the exhibition. Join us at the next opening night!

Kermit Oliver & Hermès: Storytelling on Silk and Canvas
March 7 through June 29, 2025

Kermit Oliver & Hermes: Storytelling on Silk & Canvas is an exhibit of original artwork and Hermes scarves designed by native Texan, Kermit Oliver, the first American to design scarves for the esteemed French fashion house. Just years after his graduation from Texas Southern University in 1967, Oliver, originally from Refugio, Texas and the son of a cowboy, became an acclaimed artist in Houston with art aficionados and socialites flocking to his exhibit openings.   In 1980, as Oliver’s vibrant works began to gain recognition in Houston art circles, Lawrence Marcus, son of Herbert Marcus, the cofounder of Neiman Marcus, saw Oliver’s artwork in a Houston gallery and recommended him as a designer to his friend, Jean-Louis Dumas, the creative director of Hermes. The rest, as they say, is history! Between 1984 and 2004, Oliver designed 17 scarves for Hermes, each one following the themes of Native Americans, Texas, or the Southwest. 

Pastel Horizons: The Students of Frank Reaugh
July 18 through September 14, 2025

Known as the “Dean of Texas Artists,” Reaugh’s lifelong pursuit of art was not limited to his own work. He also served as a mentor to aspiring artists under his instruction. Reaugh established an art school in Dallas in 1897, and he frequently led groups of students on sketching expeditions throughout West Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona.

Many of his students, including Reveau Bassett, Florence McClung, Lucretia Donnell, John Douglass, Olin H. Travis, Edward G. Eisenlohr, Lloyd Goff, Alexandre Hogue, and Josephine Oliver gained regional and national prominence. Several of these artists became part of the group known as the Dallas Nine – a group of artists that led the Regionalist Art Movement, challenging American artists to draw inspiration from their surroundings rather than following European trends.

Pastel Horizons examines Reaugh’s role as an artist and teacher while also highlighting works by 25 of his most talented students. This exhibit features artwork from the private collection of Mr. Michael Phillips as well as pieces never before displayed from The Bryan Museum collection. This exhibition will also be supplemented by artwork from some of the featured artists on permanent display in the Museum’s Texas Masters Gallery, making it a multi-gallery experience for patrons.