Last updated: 10/5/2011
Houston, Texas
Address
1331 Lamar Ave, Suite 1450
Houston, TX 77010
phone: 713-650-1246
fax: 713-655-1866
web: www.teai.com

Admissions

Free

Museum Type(s)

Art

Staff

Laura Lee
phone: 713-753-1284
Description

Previously the Torch Collection of Torch Energy Advisors Incorporated, the Visions of the West is the assembly of important art, artifacts and archives from western North America collected by J.P. Bryan throughout his 30-year career in the energy industry. Visions includes pieces from the Torch Collection of Torch Energy Advisors Incorporated, the private assemblies of Mr. Bryan, the Bryan Texana Foundation, and the historic Gage Hotel.

History

Torch Energy’s founder J.P. Bryan started collecting in 1969, when he began amassing rare and first-edition books, documents and maps about Texas and the desert Southwest. Included are histories of the Spanish in the New World, early Texas, extensive Galveston material, early Texas currency and periodicals, a postal history and Stephen F. Austin papers.

The Collection expanded significantly in 1988 when Torch Energy moved its offices to spacious headquarters in downtown Houston. Purchases grew to include fine and decorative art, antique equestrian gear and American firearms, Civil and Indian War militaria, textiles, vintage and contemporary photography, Mexican religious art, pre-Columbiana and costumes. The fine art spans regional art history from 1850-1950, including itinerant and military artists; topographers; landscape painters; Santa Fe, Taos and Dallas Nine artists; Texas modernists and untrained artists. The Collection now covers such seemingly disparate areas as reservation-period beading of Native peoples, ephemeral festival art of Mexico, artworks by trained and untrained artists, New World exploration maps and immigrant accounts of early Texas.

Artifact Collections

The Collection has art and artifacts from western North America.

ART: Regional art from appx. 1800 forward, Mexican religious art, both vintage and contemporary photography, Native Americana (500 pcs.)

ARTIFACTS: Nineteenth century militaria, antique equestrian gear, pre-Columbian earthenware, numismatics (730 pcs.)

FIREARMS: Major American firearms manufacturers represented including Colt, Smith & Wesson, Winchester and others. Dates from 1840+. (146 pcs.)

MAPS: European depictions of the Northern Hemisphere from 1540 forward and early maps of Texas and western North America. (72 pcs.)

Research Collections

The Collection has extensive documentary and library holdings on regional and Southwestern history.

DOCUMENTS: Autograph collection ( 131 pieces); Sul Ross collection (24); Memorabilia (postcards, 123); Frank Reaugh ephemera (100 pieces);Barho collection (150): Texas postal history (1000 pieces); Telegraph and Texas Register (97 pieces); Texas currency collection (261); Stephen F. Austin collection (70).

BOOKS: Comprehensive Texas and Southwestern rare and first edition reference library ( 2,600 volumes.)

Educational Programs

There are many ways to see and experience the Visions of the West Collection. Portions of the Collection are installed in Four Houston Center in downtown Houston, and guided tours are available only by appointment Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visions’ extensive archives are open to researchers and scholars by appointment. And a recent book, Visions of the West, documents the vast colections of two-dimensional and three-dimensional fine and decorative artworks.

Publications

Willson, Harry. Southwest Bookshelf. New Mexico Magazine, November 2000, p. 12.

Kever, Jeannie. "Connections and Collections." Texas, Houston Chronicle Magazine, Nov. 21, 1999, pp. 8-13.

Lane, Anne Marie. "Book Reviews: Arts and Humanities." Library Journal, Oct. 15, 1999, p. 67.

Corddry, Dana. "Hop-Along Warhol." PaperCity, October 1999, p. 6.

Rutledge, Teri Mae. "Feminist Bookstore News", September 1999, pp. 109-110.

Greco, JoAnn. "Art With a Mission." Art & Antiques, February 1999, pp. 64-71.

"The Torch Collection." Cowboys & Indians, January 1999, p. 34.

Aber, Linda. "Lighting A Torch for Tejas." Fort Bend Lifestyle, September 1998, pp. 32-8.

Calton, Virginia. "History Comes Alive in the Torch Collection." News on the Downtown District, Spring 1997, pp. 1-6.

Anspon, Catherine D. "The Torch Collection Revealed," Public News, April 16, 1997, p. 10.

Ewing, Tersah. "True Grit." Forbes, Jan. 2, 1995, pp. 78-9.

"Art Matters." Producer and director Quin Mathews. 10:40 min. Dallas: KERA FM, Jan. 6, 2000.

"Torch Art " J. P. Bryan.” Producer and director Dean Dalton. 9:52 min. Houston: KUHF 88.7 FM, Dec. 7, 1999.

Exhibitions
Back To Top
Museum Events
Back To Top
DISCLAIMER
This information, including business hours, addresses and contact information is provided for general reference purposes only. No representation is made or warranty is given as to its content or the reliability thereof. User assumes all risk of use. Stories USA, Inc. and its content suppliers assume no responsibility for any loss or delay resulting from such use. Please call ahead to verify the dates, the location and directions.

MUSEUM CONFERENCES

Public Lands Alliance 2025 Convention and Trade Show

February 2 - 6, 2025

Las Vegas, Nevada

Public Lands Alliance 2025 Convention and Trade Show

Sunday, February 2 - Thursday, February 6, 2025

Westgate Las Vegas

Las Vegas, Nevada

Hosted by: Public Lands Alliance

The Public Lands Alliance Convention and Trade Show brings together nonprofits, land management agencies and companies to learn, network and engage on public lands issues. The 2025 Convention and Trade Show will take place Sunday, February 2 - Thursday, February 6, 2025 in Las Vegas, NV

Connect with peers, explore the latest in public lands products, and return inspired with new strategies and resources for success in conservation and visitor engagement

Our annual Convention and Trade Show (PLA) is the premier gathering for leaders in the public lands sector to network, gain essential tools, and explore products that enhance the visitor experience and support conservation, preservation, and enrichment efforts.

For more information, please call 301-946-9475.

Georgia Association of Museums 2025 Conference

February 5 - 7, 2025

Milledgeville, Georgia

Georgia Association of Museums 2025 Conference

Wednesday, February 5 - Friday, February 7, 2025

Ina Dillard Russell Library Georgia College & State University

Milledgeville, Georgia

Hosted by: Georgia Association of Museums

The Whole Story Is The Meanin

“For the fiction writer himself the whole story is the meaning, because it is an experience, not an abstraction.”― Flannery O'Connor, Mystery and Manners: Occasional Pros

Join us in Milledgeville, Georgia, for the annual Georgia Association of Museums conference as we explore the profound wisdom of Milledgeville author Flannery O'Connor’s words. In a world where narratives intersect and perspectives diverge, this theme invites proposals that delve into the essence of storytelling within museums and cultural institutions. Our work in the museum field requires us to look at stories from as many angles and perspectives as possible so that we might do our best to tell the “whole story.

Through thought-provoking discussions, interactive workshops, and engaging presentations, we will uncover the layers of meaning embedded within every artifact, exhibition, and historical account. Just as O’Connor masterfully crafted narratives that resonate with universal truths, museums hold the power to illuminate the whole story behind many objects, artworks, and cultural phenomena

We will examine how museums can embrace inclusivity, diversity, and authenticity in their storytelling practices. By acknowledging multiple perspectives and amplifying marginalized voices, we can enrich our understanding of the past and present, fostering empathy and connection within our communities.

Small Museum Association 41st Annual Conference 2025

February 17 - 19, 2025

Gaithersburg, Maryland

Small Museum Association 41st Annual Conference 2025

Monday, February 17 - Wednesday, February 19, 2025

Gaithersburg Marriott Washingtonian Center

Gaithersburg, Maryland

Hosted by: Small Museum Association

The annual SMA conference attracts more than 300 museum professionals, board members, and volunteers from a wide variety of small museums. They attend sessions on topics ranging from collections and education to staffing and board issues.

We offer a large Museum Resource Hall and plenty of informal networking opportunities for you to talk with (and get ideas from!) other small museum professionals and volunteers

Theme for 2025: Make It Happen!!!

Is there an exhibit, program, or fundraiser that you've been talking about doing for years? Do you feel stuck because of procrastination, lack of board support, or insufficient funds? It's time to take action

At SMA 2025, small museum professionals will share their tips and tricks of how they made it happen!

2025 California Association of Museums Conference

February 18 - 22, 2025

San Fransico, California

2025 California Association of Museums Conference

Tuesday, February 18 - Saturday, February 22, 2025

San Fransico, California

Hosted by: California Association of Museums

CAM is hard at work planning for the 2025 conference, set to take place from February 18–22, 2025 in San Francisco. We look forward to highlighting best practices and innovative ideas from California's museum community

The California Association of Museums is excited to continue offering in-person programming for 2025. We will not be requiring proof of COVID vaccination/s, but highly encourage vaccination and boosters. For the health and safety of our colleagues, masks are also encouraged (but not required). Capacity and spaces will be thoughtfully considered in the planning of this event.

For more information, please email programs@calmuseums.org.

2025 Tennessee Association of Museums Conference: HOPE

March 11 - 14, 2025

Knoxville, Tennessee

2025 Tennessee Association of Museums Conference: HOPE

Tuesday, March 11 - Friday, March 14, 2025

Crowne Plaza hotel in Knoxville, TN

Knoxville, Tennessee

Hosted by: Tennessee Association of Museums

Tennessee museums are full of hope. But how are they turning hope into reality

With the Semiquincentennial quickly approaching in 2026, the state's museum community if approaching a turning point, and is now a great time to take stock and develop a vision for the future

The Tennessee Association of Museums' 64th Annual Conference in Knoxville will challenge the state's museums to think ahead and share their hopes, the best practices and strategies for turning those hoes into realities, and the rewards that come from aspirational thinking

The 2025 TAM Annual Conference will take place at the Crowne Plaza hotel in Knoxville, TN.

For more information, please call 615-495-3354 or email hawkins@aaslh.org.

view all conferences
RECENT UPDATES

Museums

12/20 Loxahatchee River Historical Society

Jupiter, Florida

12/20 Museum of Science & History

Jacksonville, Florida

12/20 Holocaust Museum & Cohen Education Center

Naples, Florida

12/20 Schmidt Boca Raton History Museum

Boca Raton, Florida

12/20 HistoryMiami

Miami, Florida

Museum Vendors

11/19 Digiscura

Encino, California

Museum Associations

12/20 Florida Association of Museums

Tallahassee, Florida

12/18 Museum Store Association

Washington, District of Columbia

12/17 Nebraska Museums Association

Lincoln, Nebraska