The Museum

Mission Statement

The Surls + Locke Museum is dedicated to preserving and showcasing the artistic legacy of James Surls and Charmaine Locke and their contribution to the arts. This museum serves to celebrate its origins in Texas storytelling traditions and makes use of its expansive natural landscape to educate in the arts, sciences, and philosophy in order to inspire future generations.

Facility

The Surls + Locke Museum will be a world class 40,000+ square foot facility within 20 acres of sculpture gardens and nature paths amidst a dense Splendora, Texas forest. Hundreds of artworks, including dozens of major indoor and outdoor sculptures, will be donated by James Surls and Charmaine Locke to comprise the permanent collection, which will be the main body of work on display at the museum. The campus will host rotating exhibitions, by acclaimed Texas artists from the past and present, both inside the expansive gallery spaces and outdoors on along the miles of nature paths which connect the sculpture gardens.

Among the sculptures that will be donated to the museum are several major outdoor pieces from the family’s private collection which will be installed throughout the 20 acres as a part of a world class sculpture garden and nature walk.

 
 
 
 

Design Theory

Form follows function in the planning of this museum’s campus. The museum’s quality architecture will be a reason of its own for an audience to visit. The structure will converge beautifully with the natural environment providing beautiful space inside and out for special ceremonies, celebratory events, and live performances. The acres of pathway and sculpture gardens will provide endless opportunities for visitors to explore.

 
 
 
 

Projected Programing

The life’s work of James Surls and Charmaine Locke will be on display with every decision made for this museum. While the collection of their creative works will be the core of a rotating exhibition, there will be many more exhibits, programs, and activities created to remember the past, examine our environment, and inspire the future.

 
 

Exhibitions

  • James Surls and Charmaine Locke Permanent Collection: Constant display and rotation of over 50 years of accumulated works.

  • Texas Legacy Arts: Dedicated gallery spaces to traveling shows of traditional Texas arts.

  • Texas Contemporary Arts: Experimental gallery and workshop spaces for what's new in Texan art scenes.

  • Sculpture Parks: Miles of nature paths lead to acres of permanent and rotating sculpture gardens

Programming

  • Educational Programming: The entire grounds will be a classroom for arts, sciences, and philosophy.

  • Lectures and Workshops: World class speakers and creators will lead groups of all sizes.

  • Live Performances: The museum is a stage for music, poetry, dance, theater and performing arts

Event Venues

  • Sacred Ceremonies: Ample space will be reserved for the most important of life’s traditions.

  • Catered Receptions: The museum will be a prime location to host incredible events.

  • Outdoor Gatherings: Acres of space for huge public events and small private ritual.

  • Conferences: Large comfortable space set in nature with an international airport minutes away.