Grace Museum to host May 8 artist reception, rooftop film for ‘Extraños Magníficos’ exhibit
A new photography exhibition, “Extraños Magníficos,” by artist Nancy Newberry, is on exhibit at the Grace Museum in downtown Abilene.
The Grace Museum in downtown Abilene has unveiled a new photography exhibition, “Extraños Magníficos,” by artist Nancy Newberry. The exhibition, which opened on March 27, will run through Sept. 20, 2025, in the museum’s Alice and Bill Wright Photography Gallery.
“Extraños Magníficos” presents a contemporary “Spaghetti Western” narrative, influenced by Newberry’s Texas upbringing and her mother’s Italian heritage. The series features staged portraits of Mexican charros, American cowboys, and military soldiers at the Texas-Mexico border, exploring themes of nationalism, community, and cultural identity.
In her artist’s statement on the Grace Museum website, Newberry said, “With an emphasis on costume and uniform, I am interested in the role fantasy plays in historical identity formation, and how myths inform cultures throughout the world. This project integrates my ongoing fascination with regalia and continues my exploration of self-representation and cultural identity at large.”
An artist reception is scheduled for May 8, from 6 to 10 p.m. at The Grace Museum. The event will include a public reception with refreshments, curator comments, and an artist talk by Newberry. At 8 p.m., attendees can enjoy a free rooftop screening of the 1964 Spaghetti Western film “A Fistful of Dollars,” directed by Sergio Leone and starring Clint Eastwood. Wristbands for the screening will be available at the museum before the movie starts. There will be no charge to attend the reception, artist talk or the film; however, seating for the film is limited.
Additionally, the Tacos El Patron food truck will be stationed beside the museum on North 1st Street beginning at 5 p.m.
Nancy Newberry is known for her performative portraiture that investigates individuation and cultural systems of belonging. Her work has been recognized with awards such as The Nasher Sculpture Center Artist Grant and The British Journal of Photography Female in Focus Award. Newberry’s photographs have been exhibited throughout the U.S., Europe, and China and are included in major public and private collections, including The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston; Centro de Arte Alcobendas, Spain; City of Houston, Houston Airports; and Villa Noailles, Hyères, France.
The museum, located at 102 Cypress St., is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday; admission is free on Thursday nights from 5 to 8 p.m. The museum is closed on Sundays and Mondays.
Regular admission costs $8 for adults age 18 and older; $5 for children ages 4-17, seniors age 65 and older, students and educators (with ID), and retired military (with ID); admission is free for children ages 0-3, museum members, and active duty military families (with ID).
For more information about the exhibition and related events, visit The Grace Museum at 102 Cypress St.; the museum’s website; or call 325-673-4587.
