Blinn Foundation unveils new Benjamin Knox painting of Old Main in honor of Blinn’s 135-year tradition of excellence
Painting will hang in the Brenham Campus Student Center’s Janis Sneed Banquet Room
February 8, 2019
The Blinn College District and Blinn College Foundation celebrated Blinn’s 135 years of educational excellence Friday, Feb. 8, with the unveiling of a new painting that commemorates one of Washington County’s most visible landmarks – Blinn’s historic Old Main Building.
The Foundation commissioned local artist Benjamin Knox to create the painting and presented it to the College during the Foundation’s Endowed Scholarship Luncheon held in the Blinn-Brenham Student Center. The painting will be mounted on the wall of the Janis Sneed Banquet Room inside the Student Center.
“For more than 100 years, the Old Main Building has served as a symbol of service to students and the community,” said Dr. Mary Hensley, Chancellor of the Blinn College District. “This painting captures that tradition perfectly, and will serve as an inspiration for students, faculty, staff, and visitors for years to come.”
The piece was made possible through the generosity of Charles Schwartz, Chairman of the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents; Brenham National Bank; J. Hal and Allyne Machat, members of the Board of Directors for the Blinn College Foundation and the Blinn College Alumni and Friends Association; and Ann A. Stanislaw, former member of the Blinn College Foundation Board of Directors.
“The Blinn Foundation is proud to present Blinn with this modern masterpiece,” said Sam Sommer, Chair of the Blinn Foundation Board of Directors. “We particularly would like to thank Benjamin Knox for his incredible work and recognize the underwriters who made this piece possible.”
The Old Main Building has served as a symbol for Blinn and its values since famed industrialist, business magnate, and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie contributed almost half of the $28,000 cost for its construction in 1906. With its proud clock tower and twin staircases, Old Main represents Blinn’s commitment to the community and the generations of students it has been honored to serve.
Knox is a world-renowned artist known for capturing the breathtaking beauty of the Texas countryside, the colorful landscape of the Brazos Valley, and the undying Aggie Spirit. His unique artistic voice combines the harmonies of Impressionism and the dramatic melodies of Representational Art with the meticulous style and discipline he formed during his collegiate architectural studies.
A limited edition numbered, framed, and autographed print will be presented to each donor who gifts $1,350 or more in celebration of Blinn’s recent 135th anniversary to the Blinn Foundation’s Blinn College Future Fund. For more information, visit the Foundation’s Whigham House at 704 College Avenue in Brenham, call 979-830-4344, or email susan.myers@blinn.edu.
