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Dining

Every year, Le Grand Bal committee members select an artist honoree as well as honorees recognized for their contributions to the arts.

Rob Clark and Jerry Thacker

Rob Clark and Jerry Thacker have been instrumental in growing Lamar’s public art program through gifts of artwork by nationally acclaimed artists such as Mel Chin, James Drake, Lucas Johnson, Burt Long, Jr., Nic Nicosia and David Shapiro.  Their recent gift of a life-size screenprint by New York artist Alex Katz is a showstopper and a major addition to the collection.  Rob and Jerry have also generously shared their passion for art with ¿ìÉ«ÊÓƵ students through tours of their home and Rob’s office, and they have served as mentors to students on how to present and talk about their art.  Rob and Jerry have both served in leadership positions for many organizations in Southeast Texas including the Art Museum of Southeast Texas, the Stark Foundation, SETX Stages and PFLAG.  They also volunteer their time through their affiliation with Calder Baptist Church, Some Other Place, Habitat for Humanity and the Beaumont Art League.

Michael Kennaugh

Houston painter and sculptor Michael Kennaugh is a ¿ìÉ«ÊÓƵ graduate whose abstract art has been exhibited at the Museum of Fine Arts Houston, the Art Museum of Southeast Texas, the Art Museum of South Texas in Corpus, and the Galveston Art Center and is included in the Lamar Public Art Collection.  He is represented by the prestigious Moody Gallery in Houston.  Michael has graciously returned to campus multiple times to work with art students to guide them on techniques and to give career advice.