A Year in Review: 2022

Dec 28

Let's Look Back at 2022

Welcome to the Museum's Year in Review newsletter! We are proud to share with you some of the highlights from our year, from exhibitions to exciting educational initiatives. Thank you for being a part of our community, and we look forward to continuing to bring you the best of the Museum in 2023!

Saddle up and stick with us! You're in for a ride!

The 21st annual art show was an amazing event that showcased the work of 25 talented artists. The show ran from June 4th to July 15th and featured a wide variety of art styles, from traditional paintings to carved wooden vases. Visitors of the museum were able to explore the creativity and skill of the artists on display and take in the unique pieces of art. Z.L. Feng from Radford, Virginia was awarded the Electra Waggoner Biggs Best of Show Award for his work “The Officer”.

This summer, Kashley Oglesby, 11 years old, dedicated more than 40 hours to volunteering at the RRVM. As part of the Junior Docent Program, she not only learned to give tours and care for exhibits, but also gained insight into how nonprofits operate. She was so inspired by the experience that she has already made plans to return next summer and continue her volunteer work.

Lots of kids spent time at the museum this summer! 26 young and eager students attended our art camp. The younger artists explored a variety of mediums to create delightful works of art inspired by animals. Meanwhile, the older students attended an intensive two-week Art 101 class which taught them the fundamentals of art. Despite having different levels of experience, the students all showed tremendous growth in their skills, and it was a rewarding experience for all involved.

The Wright Gallery stayed booked this year! During August and September, we hosted the Red River Photography Club’s annual exhibition. Twenty photographers spent the past year capturing the beauty of the 21 cities and towns along a 230+ mile stretch of US Highway 287. The photos were accompanied by interesting facts about the history and people of each of these towns, making the exhibit come to life.

The Wichita Falls Alliance for Arts and Culture rolled out the red carpet in September for its annual Regional Museum Network Exhibition hosted by the Museum of North Texas History. Real to Reel: North Texas in the Limelight showcased curated collections from 12 area museums highlighting cinematic history in the region and its impact on area communities. The RRVM’s contribution featured the Vernon Plaza Theatre and it’s connection to 3D films!

Our biggest annual fundraiser, Texoma Gives, was a success! We were able to raise a grand total of $41,600 with the help of 97 generous donors. This helped us repair the taxidermy mounts of the Bond Gallery. Local taxidermist, Kyle Wells, was contracted to do the job. His handiwork can be seen in the phenomenal before and after pictures here!

The RRVM and the Friends of the Texas Historical Commission recently partnered to host a webinar retelling the history of the famed ranch. Local historian, Jeff Bearden, presented this informative and engaging look into the history of the ranch to over 700 viewers. The footage from the webinar is still available to view on our website and provides a unique insight into this important piece of Texas history. We are thankful for the partnership with the Friends of the Texas Historical Commission, and look forward to providing more engaging content in the future!

The 2021-2022 school year was a great success for the museum's Free School Tour program. More than 900 students were able to tour the museum, doubling our tour numbers of previous years. During tours, students had the opportunity to learn about local history, science, and art. The program was so popular that the 2022-2023 school year is already off to a great start with over 300 Vernon ISD students taking part in fall tours! We are excited to continue providing these educational opportunities to students and look forward to another successful year!

The Second Annual Youth Art Show was a huge success! Over 60 works of art were on display, with 44 artists participating and 8 pieces sold to viewers. This event was joined with Kid’s Day at the Museum, a free event that encourages families to learn more about history, science, culture, and art. Thanks to the generous support of community sponsors, $1500 in prizes were awarded to the participants at the grand opening and award ceremony. It was a great day for young artists and their families to appreciate art and have fun!

The end-of-the-year exhibit hosted by the museum, Happyville: a Christmas Dollhouse Village, was a delightful experience for visitors of all ages. Nineteen detailed dollhouses were decorated for Christmas, creating a picturesque village. During the exhibit, visitors participated in an I Spy activity to discover the hidden secrets throughout the village. To make the experience even more cheerful, hot cocoa and cookies were available. It was a wonderful experience that brought the Christmas spirit to life!