A recent gift to the OJAC’s permanent collection has not only an interesting backstory, it is sure
to provide topics of conversation for generations of museum visitors.
First the backstory. In 2014 the OJAC learned it was one of several beneficiaries of the estate of
Dallas art collector Sonny Burt. Even though my own art work was represented in his collection,
I’m still not sure how the OJAC became a beneficiary of both works of art and a financial gift.
Regardless, it was a pleasant surprise and extremely generous of Sonny Burt to include our
institution in his will.
The OJAC, along with one other museum, was allowed to select six works of art from the estate.
We selected works by outstanding Texas artists—all but one not previously represented in our
collection—including the Art Guys, Earl Staley, Joseph Havel, Kirk Hayes, Sam Gummelt, and
Trenton Doyle Hancock. Regrettably one work (actually there were many) that I passionately
wanted, but that did not make our short list, was a large piece by Mel Ziegler. The works not
selected, include Ziegler’s, were later consigned by the executors to Talley Dunn Gallery. During
my visits to the Dallas gallery, I would admire the work and regret not including it in our
selections. After numerous hints over the years that the work would find a good home at the
OJAC, Talley Dunn and the Estate of Sonny Burt generously elected to gift the work to our
museum. Honestly, I was shocked that another art museum had not purchased the work…their
loss, our gain!
Mel Zielger’s work Untitled (#2), 1999 is currently on view (summer 2022) for the first time at
the OJAC. My next blog will explain my attraction to Ziegler’s work and try to explain how a
simple act of stuffing an antique display cabinet with straw is so brilliant. Stay tuned, but in the
meantime come see the work while it’s on view.
Patrick Kelly
Executive Director and Curator