“George Washington” Exhibit at TAMIU ending Feb. 25

“The Many Faces of George Washington,” a national traveling panel exhibition examining the multi-dimensional, real-life man behind the myth, continues through Monday, Feb. 25, 2013 at Texas A&M International University’s Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library. 

The Exhibit has proven popular with local and out-of-town visitors to the WBCA festivities with its milestone events sponsored by the Laredo Portrait Project.

Exhibit hours are Mon-Fri from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sat-Sun from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.  It is free of charge and open to the public. It uses the portraiture and image of George Washington as the unifying theme to pay tribute to his life and legacy.   

Produced by George Washington’s home, Mount Vernon, in conjunction with the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History in New York, this exhibit presents Washington’s leadership through dazzling color graphics of paintings, photographs, and iconic Mount Vernon collections objects.

The panel exhibit explores seven facets of George Washington’s life: Virginia Childhood, Risk Taker, Realistic Visionary, Wise Decision Maker, Impassioned Learner, Visionary Entrepreneur, and At Home at Mount Vernon.  It has been made possible by a generous grant from the F.M. Kirby Foundation.  Local sponsors for the exhibit are TAMIU, Toni L. Ruiz, and Southern Distributing Company. 

Using age-progression and regression techniques, models of Washington were assembled from a two-year study which utilized computer scientists, anthropologists, art historians, 18th Century garment experts, forensic scientists, and research from primary sources like Washington’s portraits, sculpture, dentures and clothing. Images from this investigation are the foundation for the panel exhibit, which even recreated Washington’s beloved horse, “Blueskin,” in remarkable detail.  

In addition to the Exhibit, other components of the Laredo Portrait Project-sponsored exhibit included the unveiling of a historic, limited showing of a Gilbert Stuart portrait of George Washington provided by the Harlan Crow Library of Dallas and the Feb. 13 debut of the American Historical Theater’s production of “Portrait of a Patriot.” 

For additional information on “The Many Faces of George Washington,” call 956.326.GIVE (4483) or visit tamiu.edu/portraitproject

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at prmis@tamiu.edu