Throughout the current school year, Jesuit has been undergoing major construction. As a result, the Jesuit Dallas Museum (JDM) has had to relocate more than 140 artworks to new locations that can accommodate them. Along with these changes in the campus environment, the JDM has also added several new pieces to its collection. These artworks feature contributions from several talented artists, including Mary Frances Judge, Robert Jessup, and John Marshall Stubbs ’05.
In light of these changes and additions, The Roundup interviewed Museum Director Mrs. Elizabeth Hunt-Blanc. The interview focused on how the construction has affected the JDM, as well as the incorporation of new artwork into the museum.
Construction & Relocation
The process of relocating artwork took several months, transporting well-established works to unfamiliar parts of the school. In fact,
“It took the Museum from February to June to move [everything].” -Museum Director Mrs. Hunt-Blanc
How the Artwork was Moved
When moving the artwork around the campus last year, special handling from trained professionals with this job was needed. These professionals “always [had] gloves and [were] very careful,” mentioned Mrs. Hunt-Blanc. “It overall took a lot of effort to move the pieces.”
Historical Library Exhibitions
In the past, the Historical Library, located next to the old Information Commons, was used for art exhibitions and showings. However, with the closure of the Historical Library, Museum Director Mrs. Hunt-Blanc has relocated the exhibitions to the Melsheimer Family Theater. She mentioned that Jesuit will not be bringing in any outside artists while construction is ongoing because it makes things more difficult with parking and other related issues. Much of the photography that was previously displayed in the Historical Library is now in the theater, and the sculpture collection that was originally located next to the Freshman Steps is currently in the hallway leading to the theater.
Despite these changes, Mrs. Hunt-Blanc has managed to acquire many new pieces of art. Additionally, she plans to hold exhibitions for several works at this year’s annual ArtQuest Fundraiser, which is coming up soon (more information about it is provided at the bottom of the article).
Plans for the Museum After Construction
Most plans for the art in the new wing of the museum remain uncertain. “Once the new wing is established, we’ll have paintings and exhibitions in the new Historical Library, but I don’t have any details yet,” explained Mrs. Hunt-Blanc.
When the new wing is complete, there will be a significantly larger space to showcase the collection of art pieces. Additionally, works such as The Window (1981), which was displayed at the front of the school before construction began but was removed when the project started, will be available for display again once the new wing is finished. This piece was a generous donation from Mr. Frank Ribelin ’50, who presented it to Jesuit for its 50th Anniversary in 1992, making it a hallmark of Jesuit Dallas.
Recent Acquisitions and their Creators
Sister Mary Frances Judge
Sr. Mary Frances Judge has been creating art for roughly 50 years and currently is an Ursuline nun. At one point earlier in her life, she was the art teacher at Ursuline. Museum Director Mrs. Hunt-Blanc described how “in 1983[, she] had a major exhibition in New York at a gallery,” this exhibition later being covered by The New York Times. In addition, “she was appointed [to] the Board of Directors at the Dallas Museum of Art as their Art Representative.” Within Texas, she has had four solo exhibitions from 1972 to 1990. Outside of Texas, she has had exhibitions in other US states, as well as abroad in Italy, Sweden, and Japan.
After the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, many of her pieces were donated to several institutions, such as Bergen Community College (31 paintings), Hudson County Community College (14 paintings), and the Museum of Friends in Walsenburg, Colorado (26 paintings). Two and a half years ago, in November of 2022, Sr. Judge’s works were displayed at the Tower Lofts Gallery of Art and stayed in their gallery for several months afterwards. In addition to the distribution of some of her artwork, with the arrival of the two pieces below came a few more. In fact, according to Museum Director Mrs. Hunt-Blanc, the museum already has “one piece of hers in the collection, and Father Deutsch has another small piece [of hers] in his office,” which is located in the Sophomore Commons.
In terms of Sr. Judge’s painting style, much of it involves her own depictions of the cosmos, using abstract artwork to depict the beautiful nature of the universe.
“Right now, the cosmic stuff is really into my head so i’m painting about it. I started looking to the stars, the great mystery beyond. Sort of gets into my consciousness.” -Sr. Mary Frances Judge
Below are Sr. Judge’s pieces being added to the JDM, as well as displayed at this year’s ArtQuest. They currently reside in Museum Director Mrs. Hunt-Blanc’s office:
Robert Jessup
Robert Jessup was born in 1952 in Idaho, then soon after moved to Seattle, Washington, where he grew up. In 1975, he received his BFA in painting from the University of Washington, and then four years later in 1979, he received his MFA in painting from the University of Iowa. Throughout his life, he has had professorships at several different universities and colleges, such as Ohio State University, Cornell University, and the University of North Texas, where he currently resides as the Professor of Drawing and Painting in their College of Visual Arts and Design.
Jessup has had three different phases in terms of his art styles throughout his career. His first was his figurative period (1971-2004), where much of his work was stylized and representational. From 2005-2010, his work was transitional, some of this work being influenced by baroque paintings that he saw when he visited Europe in 2008. Since 2011, Jessup has focused on painting in abstract style, “exchang[ing] ferocious depiction for ferocious plasticity” (Robert Jessup).
Currently, many of his drawings and paintings are located in collections at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Brooklyn Museum of Art, the High Museum of Art, and the Dallas Museum of Art.
Museum Director Mrs. Hunt-Blanc, when describing the artist and his involvement with the JDM, said that “he is very well known in Texas” and that the JDM is “very fortunate to have him.” Additionally, the piece the JDM acquired, Sleeping, “is going to go on loan to [a] museum in Wichita Falls. This is part of something [the museum in Wichita Falls] has called ‘ArtZeum,’ and [it] is [the] fifth year that the museum has been participating [with us and] doing art exchange. This year the theme is gardens, so [it fits how] Sleeping is [set] in [a] garden.”
A gift from Amy and Kevin Keeney, below is the piece Sleeping made by Jessup that the JDM has received. It is currently located near the Chapel:
John Marshall Stubbs ’05
John Marshall Stubbs ’05 was born in 1986 in Dallas, and attended Jesuit, graduating in 2005. Throughout his time growing up, he had a lot of artistic influence, his mother working at an art gallery that he found drawn to. In addition, some of Jesuit’s pieces influenced his artistic career, one being Dennis Downey’s Pueblo Viejo, a painting depicting a Southwestern landscape with dark stormy clouds (currently is displayed on the second floor of B Hallway). The key ignition in his art career was when, as a senior in 2004, his mother took him on a trip to the Columbus Museum of Art in Georgia, and trip immersed his in his love for art through a gallery that was very similar to his mother’s.
Although he had been involved with art dealing and investing, he truly was not a painter until the pandemic. While isolated in his home, he one day laid out a large canvas on the floor and learned to paint. This became a habit of his, and has led him to where he is today.
His current style is one he calls “Cowboy Core,” and when asked what styles he prefers to use, he does not stick to one style, but rather mixes a few. For example, he may choose to use both oil and acrylic art materials, or make a painting in both an abstract and a photorealism style. His first curated collection of work he called Cowboy Core, and it is a mix of several different styles to create Wild West-inspired artwork. In addition to his inspirations growing up, he was also inspired by many different artists and influences, a few being Salvador Dalà (who has works in the JDM as well), 90s Era cartoons, Renaissance art, and even music producers such as Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings.
Museum Director Mrs. Hunt-Blanc, while talking about the piece The End of His Rope, said that “it [can be found] by the current main entrance of the school.” In addition, she mentioned how the museum “also ha[s] five more pieces of his coming to [their] collection soon.” Below is his artwork that he has given to the JDM:
The Roundup would like to thank Museum Director, Mrs. Hunt-Blanc for her hard work in acquiring our remarkable artwork at the JDM and for providing more information about the artists, their pieces, and how the art has been impacted by construction.
Don’t forget to purchase your tickets for the annual ArtQuest Fundraiser, which will showcase works by various artists, including those mentioned above, as well as Senior Oliver Miller ’25, whose award-winning photography will also be featured. ArtQuest will take place on April 30, 2025, at the Craighead Green Gallery.
Stay tuned to The Roundup for more coverage on the museum and this year’s ArtQuest Fundraiser!
