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Press Release
Title:
"Dedication of caboose" by The Battalion
Date:
10/24/2003
Article Tools:  |
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Knox Galleries dedicates caboose to College Station
By Nishat Fatima
A new historic addition will become part of the Aggie community on Friday when the Benjamin Knox Galleries dedicates an original 1905 red caboose to College Station in honor of the city's 65th anniversary.
The caboose has traveled all over America throughout its 40-year stint with the Pennsylvania Railroad. It was recently purchased by Knox from the Bergmont Station in Santa Monica, Calif., and traveled to Texas on an oversized truck trailer.
The two-day student appreciation event will take place Friday and Saturday at the Benjamin Knox Galleries on University Drive and will also commemorate the 15th anniversary of the career of artist and Aggie Benjamin Knox.
Kara Wilson, executive director of the College Station Depot and Texas A&M Class of 1998, said the unveiling of the caboose is part of an effort to give Aggies the opportunity to experience the heritage of A&M through fine arts. Knox' paintings depict various aspects of Aggie tradition and life at A&M.
"We want to make the College Station Depot a cultural center for the community and University to promote fine arts," she said.
Knox, a 1990 graduate of A&M and resident of College Station, said the event will include an exhibit of original paintings from his career.
"We will have a 15-year retrospective showcase that shows the procession from my first piece of art to the present-day development of my art career," he said. "It will be a casual celebration to promote fine art to the students in Aggieland."
Knox, who was also a member of the Corps of Cadets Squadron 3, said his career as an artist began when he was trying to make ends meet during his sophomore year.
"I started off making T-shirt designs and prints," he said. "I started to gain recognition among the Corps. After that, my art and following began to develop."
Wilson said the gallery and Depot are aiming to serve as a landmark for the preservation of A&M's culture.
"Students are having to work hard to maintain the A&M heritage," she said. "Benajamin's artwork focuses on capturing the spirit of Aggieland and immortalizing our traditions."
Event coordinator Abbey Ehman, Class of 2003, said the event will introduce the gallery as a cultural center for students.
"We want students to bring their parents and friends to our gallery because so much of A&M's and College Station's culture can be seen here," she said.
Ehman said the free events will include food, refreshments and live musicians.
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