Transformed Houston

Art world is stunned at news of Museum of Fine Arts Director Peter Marzio'sdeath

Peter Marzio, director of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
Just one highlight of his tenure, the donation of Rienzi in 1991
Alberto Giacometti's "Large Standing Womain I," 1960, stands before a granitetriangle, part of Isamu Noguchi's design for the Lillie and Hugh Roy CullenSculpture Garden, a 1986 accomplishment for Marzio.
Another Marzio contribution: the renovation of Bayou Bend in 1993
Peter Marzio, director of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
The Audrey Jones Beck Building opened to acclaim in March 2000.
Peter Marzio with Jeanie Kilroy, left, and Cornelia Long at the Septemberopening of the Lora Jean Kilroy Visitor and Education Center at Bayou Bend
Photo by Gary Fountain
Lora Jean Kilroy Visitor and Education Center
Photo by Robb Williamson
A new book detailing Houston's most prestigious collection of American art,"American Art and Philanthropy: Twenty Years of Collecting at the Museum of FineArts, Houston," arrived on bookshelves in October.
"Head with Crown", 14th-early 15th century, copper alloy, from "Dynasty andDivinity: Ife Art in Ancient Nigeria." The MFAH was proud to be the first U.S.venue for this touring exhibition.
Photo by Karin L. Willis; © National Commission for Museums and Monuments,Nigeria. Photo courtesy Museum for African Art/Fundación Marcelino Botín
Just this fall, the MFAH invited artist Cai Guo-Qiang to create a gunpowderdrawing to cover the walls of the new Arts of China Gallery.
Photo by I-Hua Lee/Courtesy Cai Studio
"Still Life with Apples and Peaches" by Paul Cézanne, part of the upcomingblockbuster exhibition, "Impressionist and Post-Impressionist Masterpieces fromthe National Gallery of Art." The MFAH is the first— and the only — venue forthe exhibition.

Peter C. Marzio, who built the Museum of Fine Arts Houston into an art world juggernaut, passed away early Friday morning after a battle with cancer. He was 67.

Many in Houston's art and business communities were stunned to hear of his death because he had kept his illness extremely private.

During his 28-year tenure as director of Houston's largest museum, it rose from 30th to the sixth largest in the nation. Marzio doubled the museum in size with the Audrey Jones Beck building, which opened in 2000, increased the permanent collection from 13,000 objects to 62,000, and magnified the endowment by eighteenfold. He added full-time curators in Renaissance and Baroque Painting (1990); Prints and Drawings (1991); Textiles and Costume (1991); American Painting and Sculpture (1993); Film and Video (1996); Asian Art (2000), Latin American Art (2001) and Islamic Art (2008).

Among the many other highlights of his tenure: the completion of the Lillie and Hugh Roy Cullen Sculpture Garden (1986); the donation of Rienzi (1991); the addition of an off-site facility (1991) that houses the Museum Archives and Department of Conservation, established in 1984 and 1996 respectively; the renovation of Bayou Bend (1993) and the opening of the Lora Jean Kilroy Visitor and Education Center (2010), and the construction of Central Administration and Glassell Junior School of Art Building (1994).

Under his guidance, the MFAH has committed to spending at least $80 million over 10 years to Latin American programs, much of which will be devoted to exhibitions displayed in a new building that will place the Latin American art collection within the global context of modernism.

He forged relationships with monied Houston art lovers. Caroline Wiess Law left the MFAH $400 million — one of the largest bequests ever to a museum — along with major artworks, Alfred Glassell Jr. donated his collection of African gold pieces; Beck left 47 Impressionist masterpieces and the museum maintains a permanent collection of Renaissance and Baroque art from the Sarah Campbell Blaffer Foundation.

Marzio also believed strongly in a world view, supporting galleries and exhibits of art from Vietnam, Afghanistan, Korea, China, India, Japan and the Middle East.

"He was a visionary in that way," said associate director of investment and finance Gwen Goffe, who was named acting director after Marzio's death. "He believed in the whole idea of using art to educate about different cultures."

MFAH lifetime trustee Rich Kinder said that Marzio will be remembered as one of the finest museum directors of this generation.

"His accomplishments at the museum were just extraordinary. He took a relatively small museum and built it into one of the best museums in America today in terms of collection and endowment," Kinder told CultureMap. "He was a rare combination of a very well educated and knowledgeable art aficionado with business sense. There are very few nonprofits in America who can balance a budget."

Kinder also thought of Marzio as a great friend for more than 25 years. "We skiied, fished and collected art together," Kinder said. "He had a dry wit. He was just a wonderful person."

MFAH trustee Frank Hevrdjes admired Marzio's ability to transform the museum from a good regional center to a world-class institution.

"Peter's vision, knowledge, leadership and fiscal discipline were the envy not only of the museum world but of the entire business community," Hevrdjes said. "In addition to his large role in our community, Peter was a wonderful friend and a loving husband to his wife and best friend Frances. He was loved by all his employees and admired by the entire art world. We have lost an incredible man."

Marzio's untimely death reverberated throughout Houston's arts community.

"It's a huge loss," said Cecil C. Connor, Jr., longtime general manager of Houston Ballet." Peter was the leader not just of the museum but of the art world in Houston."

On the national level, the American Association of Museums also mourned Marzio's death.

“Peter was a leader in the museum field,” AAM President Ford W. Bell said in a statement. “His vision inspired legions of museum professionals. To say he will be sorely missed does not do honor to his influence and his character. His own life story was a case study on the power of art and museums, and their remarkable ability to lift spirits and enrich souls. Peter Marzio’s life did both, in ways that will keep him with us forever. ”

Marzio was a driving force behind bringing the 2011 AAM Annual Meeting and MuseumExpo to Houston and had served as chair. The meeting, which will take place May 23–26, will be dedicated to his memory.

Marzio was born on Governor’s Island, New York City. He went to Juniata College in Pennsylvania on a football scholarship, earning a bachelor of arts degree in 1965, and graduated from the University of Chicago with an master's of arts in 1966 and doctorate degree in 1969. He studied in Rome on a senior Fulbright research fellowship in 1973.

Prior to coming to Houston in 1982, Marzio was director and CEO of the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., and curator of Prints and chairman of the Department of Cultural History at the Smithsonian Institution.

Well known in the national art world, Marzio was president of the Association of Art Museum Directors from 1988 to 1989. He also served as chairman of the Federal Council on the Arts and Humanities from 1997-2000.

He is survived by his wife, Frances; his daughter, Sara Marzio Podsednik in Houston; his son, Steven Marzio and wife Randi in Alpharetta, Ga.; and five grandchildren.

The museum is planning a memorial service after the first of the year to honor Marzio.

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These are the 14 best things to do in Houston this weekend

Photo courtesy of Pentatonix

Pentatonix performs at American Airlines Center on November 20.

We’re officially in the home stretch, and Christmas is just around the corner.

Before that, this weekend offers plenty of holiday-themed events, including an ugly sweater party/toy drive and a yuletide visit from Pentatonix. But some fascinating visual art is also popping off this weekend, from an intriguing art exhibition to several movie screenings, including the latest from hometown boy Richard Linklater.

Or, you could pick up some booze over at O.S.T. Liquor, get lit, and sing “Luv Ya Blue” over and over again – just a suggestion.

Thursday, December 18

Contemporary Arts Museum Houston presents Music at the Museum
Music at the Museum is back, as CAMH wraps up the year with an evening of live music, an art workshop, and contemporary art. Jupiter will be spinning house, ambient, club tracks, and more. And you can participate in the cyanotype workshop downstairs. Join CAMH FAQ team member and artist Carlos Mendoza in this hands-on activity that bridges car cultures from the West Coast to H-Town. 6 pm.

Sabine Street Studios presents "Zuzu's Petals" opening reception
Sabine Street Studios’ end-of-the-year exhibition, “Zuzu’s Petals,” takes inspiration from the beloved 1946 classic film, It’s a Wonderful Life. The group exhibition of mixed media works offers an opportunity for reflection on the year that has passed, the promise of the new year ahead, and the meaningful memories that weave through our lives. The reception will include complimentary beverages and snacks, as well as brief artist talks where each creator will share insights into their work and its significance within the exhibition. 6 pm.

Aurora Picture Show presents Aurora Holiday Party & Raffle
Join Aurora Picture Show’s famously festive, annual holiday party – the first one held in the new Navigation Blvd. space. This free event features beverages provided by Double Trouble and Saint Arnold, light bites from Phoenicia, vintage holiday TV projections, and music provided by DJs Gracie Chavez, Marcelluz Gualez, Alex la Rotta, and Peter Lucas. The raffle, benefitting Aurora’s artistic and educational programming, is open until 9 pm and features an array of great items, experiences, and gift cards. 7 pm.

Friday, December 19

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston presents Nouvelle Vague
Nouvelle Vague, Richard Linklater’s love letter to the revolutionary magic of the French New Wave, reimagines the making of Jean-Luc Godard’s Breathless (1960). As a Cahiers du Cinema critic, Godard (Guillaume Marbeck) turns to filmmaking with a mix of fresh faces and daring talents that bring his spontaneous, idiosyncratic film to life. Capturing the behind-the-scenes creative chaos at the heart of one of cinema’s most iconic and influential debuts, catch this movie at the MFAH this weekend – in glorious 35mm! 7 pm (5 pm Sunday).

Rice Cinema presents The Projectionists’ Reel
Rice Cinema will have a special screening featuring work by Tish Stringer, a Rice alum and former technical exhibition manager at Rice Cinema. In The Projectionists’ Reel, Kirston Otis spins the tale of how crafty projectionists of the Greenway Theater cannibalized cinematic ephemera into remix joy. Preceded by a bonus screening of We’re Not Judges, a short film by Renée Feltz, a former KPFT News Director, and currently at Democracy Now! The filmmakers will be in attendance for a post-screening Q&A. 7 pm.

Houston Symphony presents Elf in Concert
Buddy (Will Ferrell) was accidentally transported to the North Pole as a toddler and raised to adulthood among Santa’s elves. Unable to shake the feeling that he doesn’t fit in, the adult Buddy travels to New York in search of his real father (James Caan). After DNA test confirmation, Buddy and his dad build a relationship with chaotic (and comedic) moments. The heartwarming tale of Buddy the Elf will play on the big screen, while every note of John Debney’s score is played live to picture. 7:30 pm (2 pm Sunday)

Vincent Victoria Presents The 1968 Cherry Cola Pitts Christmas Special: A Musical
Vincent Victoria Presents delivers the world premiere of a new stage production, The 1968 Cherry Cola Pitts Christmas Special: Christmas Will Never be the Same. The production, a sharp, irreverent, joyously queer holiday biting satire set in the explosive year of 1968, stars Cherry Cola Pitts, an openly gay entertainer navigating fame, freedom, and chaos under the studio lights. 8 pm (3 and 8 pm Saturday; 3 pm Sunday).

Saturday, December 20

O.S.T. Liquor Store presents the Annual Holiday Bourbon Allocation
O.S.T. Liquor Store will launch one of its largest and most anticipated bourbon allocation releases, offering more than 200 rare and highly coveted bottles to collectors and holiday shoppers. The event is known for drawing enthusiasts from across the Houston area who are seeking hard-to-find bourbons, whiskeys, and limited-edition spirits to raise the bar on gifting and entertaining this holiday season. Get there early. 10 am.

BLCK Market Holiday Festival at East River
Step into a festive celebration of Black-owned businesses at the BLCK Market Holiday Festival at East River. Attendees will enjoy holiday shopping at its finest as East River transforms into a bustling winter market filled with music, merriment, and unique finds. Browse curated gifts (seasonal décor, art, skincare, books, and candles), dance to the beats of live DJs, and get grub at food trucks – all while being surrounded by the joyful energy of community. Santa and Mrs. Claus will also be available for photos from 12-2 pm. 11 am.

Pentatonix in concert
In 2011, a cappella group Pentatonix became the first act to top both the Holiday Albums and Holiday Songs charts simultaneously. Since then, Christmas has become their business, dropping such seasonal releases as 2014’s That’s Christmas to Me and 2016’s A Pentatonix Christmas. They’ll be Houston as part of their Christmas in the City tour, performing favorite songs from their seven holiday-themed albums, including the new Christmas in the City. 7 pm.

Winsome Prime presents Annual Ugly Sweater Christmas Party & Toy Drive
The Southern-inspired steakhouse is kicking off the holiday week with its annual Ugly Sweater Christmas Party & Toy Drive. Attendees are asked to bring a new toy to benefit the Isiah Factor Christmas Toy Drive, as well as dress in their most outrageous, over-the-top holiday sweaters for an ugly sweater contest, with special perks, giveaways, and photo moments throughout the event. 7 pm.

Sunday, December 21

Kings Harbor Waterfront Village presents Holiday on the Harbor
Join Lake Houston mixed-use development Kings Harbor Waterfront Village as it celebrates the holiday season with Holiday on the Harbor. Attendees can enjoy a free photo opportunity with Santa and Mrs. Claus, music from a DJ, face painting, an on-site caricature artist, and riding on the trackless train. Families can also play yard games and create holiday crafts, making it a day full of holiday cheer for kids and adults alike. 1 pm.

Houston Cinema Arts Society and Houston Film Commission presents Luv Ya Bum!
Luv Ya Bum! is more than a sports documentary – it’s a testament to the power of leadership, community, and the enduring impact of legendary Houston Oilers head coach Bum Phillips. River Oaks Theatre will have a screening, presented by Houston Cinema Arts Society (HCAS) and Houston Film Commission, complete with a post-screening conversation with the producers. A special exhibition will be on display, courtesy of the Museum of the Gulf Coast, featuring a remarkable collection of personal effects and historical artifacts. 2 pm.

The Houston Tidelanders present Yule-Tide Carols
The Houston Tidelanders will ring in the holiday season with their show, Yule-Tide Carols. The tradition brings Christmas to life through the four-part harmonies of barbershop a cappella singing. The Tidelanders will perform a mix of classic Christmas favorites and fresh new arrangements, from the peaceful beauty of “O Little Town of Bethlehem” to the inspiring message of “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.” 4:30 pm.

Photo courtesy of Pentatonix

Pentatonix performs at Toyota Center on December 20.

weekend events event-planner

Transformed Houston

Art world is stunned at news of Museum of Fine Arts Director Peter Marzio'sdeath

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