The Linda and William Reaves Collection of Texas Art at the University of Houston-Victoria

Gift of Linda and William Reaves, 2022-23

The Linda and William Reaves Collection of Texas Art at the University of Houston-Victoria (UHV) is a collection of art in public spaces assembled in commemoration of the fiftieth anniversary of the university’s presence in the region. The artworks comprising the collection are emblematic of the qualities and attributes of the university’s location in Victoria, Texas at the center of an area stretching across the coastal plains and prairieland southwest of Houston and north of Corpus Christi. Though distinct in their narratives, perspectives, aims, and conceptual underpinnings, artists in the collection—Xavier González, Jonathan Paul Jackson, Leila McConnell, Kermit Oliver, and Dick Wray among them—radiate the spirit of the region, its people, places, ideas, networks, and environments. When viewed in totality, The Linda and William Reaves Collection of Texas Art at the University of Houston-Victoria is a constellation of expressions and narratives that come together to present one grand and rewarding glimpse into the area’s unique artistic tradition and local culture.

Aiming to inspire art scholarship, shed light on Texas art and artists, and enrich the experiences of students, faculty, and visitors, Linda and William Reaves assembled and donated this extensive art collection in 2022-23. This generous gift reflects the Reaves’ passion for and dedication to Texas art, as well as their commitment to making art accessible to everyone. Collecting for the past forty years, the couple has amassed a substantial, important, and focused collection of twentieth-century Texas art, a rich area of creativity often overlooked by scholars and collectors alike. Artworks from the Linda and William Reaves Collection of Texas Art at University of Houston-Victoria are now on display in buildings across the UHV campus.