Based on the pioneering and largely unheralded endeavor of Nona and Richard Barrett of Dallas to assemble over the past two decades the greatest contemporary and historical works of the Lone Star State, the exhibition of some 150 works is the first public presentation of the collection's highlights. More recently, the Texas collection of Nona and Richard Barrett has been augmented by an enthusiastic embrace of Swiss and Czech modernism—from Ferdinand Hodler, Cuno Amiet, and Félix Vallotton to František Kupka. They now possess not only one of the largest and most important assemblages of Texas art but one of the most significant private holdings of Swiss art outside of Europe. A debt of gratitude is owed to the Barretts for giving the Meadows Museum the opportunity to introduce their collection to the public for the first time through an exhibition, publication, and various symposia.

The exhibition catalogue will include essays by art writer Michael Ennis, Professor Richard Brettell, artist Bill Komodore, and curator A. Kate Sheerin, and three all-day public symposia with international artists and scholars will be presented on Nov. 20 (early Texas art), Dec. 11 (contemporary Texas art), and Jan. 15 (the art of Switzerland); for more information, please call 214.768.4993.