They say hard work goes unnoticed – but not this time.
The Art Museum of Southeast Texas invites you to Adopt-an-Artwork and support the essential, behind-the-scenes work that keeps our collection thriving.
From conservation and preservation to research and exhibition, your support helps care for over 1,700 objects that tell the story of our region and beyond. Whether an object needs specialized treatment or represents the collection as a whole, each artwork on display deserves attention—and a champion.
As an individual or group adopter, you will receivea certificate of appreciation, a fact sheet about your chosen artwork, a private photo opportunity with the piece, and recognition displayed alongside it for one year. The Adopt-an-Artwork campaign runs from May 2026 – April 2027.
Thank you for being a part of the care behind our permanent collection.
Phyllis Lee, Mother and Child, no date, oil on linen. Gift of Charlotte and Jimmy Fontenot.
Adoption Price: $250
Adoption Profile: This artwork loves family time, experimenting with new recipes, and memorizing the dialogue of Jane Austen novels. A real homebody, it is comfortable in all kinds of spaces – from a cozy campfire to a beachside cottage – with both sense and sensibility.
Conservation Needs: Undated but probably painted in the last half of the 20th century, this oil painting on linen is in need of a gentle cleaning, archival frame buffering, and new hanging hardware. Regular conservation of artworks such as these ensures they will last for years to come.
Vallie Fletcher, Untitled (Sand Bar near Four Oaks Ranch, Vidor, Texas), no date, oil on canvas. Gift of Julian Payne, Beaumont, Texas.
Adoption Price: $300
Adoption Profile: This little landscape loves Sunday picnics in the country, long walks at sunset, and the simpler things in life.
By adopting this painting by an early Beaumont artist, you are supporting the Museum in its ongoing efforts to support Texas artists in the creation of significant new artworks.
John Biggers, Family Arc, 1992, lithograph print on paper. Museum purchase.
Adoption Price: $350
Adoption Profile: A world traveler, this sophisticated artwork is all about the details. Hobbies include archaeology, poetry, and visiting temples and monasteries.
Conservation Needs: Printed towards the end of Biggers’ career, this large lithograph is due for a new condition report and some light conservation work such as replacing the original backing materials and tape with new archival equivalents which will ensure the longevity of this important print in AMSET’s permanent collection.
Amy Freeman Lee, Twilight Image: Hope of Shape, 1969, watercolor on paper. 18th Annual Junior League Purchase Award.
Adoption Price: $350
Adoption Profile: This artwork is a dreamer and loves horoscopes, museums, and botanical gardens. A former champion swimmer, it spends its days experimenting with watercolors and interpretative dance.
Conservation Needs: This large watercolor painting will benefit greatly from archival backing boards and spacers to lift the painting away from the surface of the glass, ensuring it is preserved for many more years. Replacing the hanging materials will stabilize the artwork so that it can be safely displayed and moved throughout the museum.
Lance Letscher, TherapyBird, 2021, soft ground etching print on paper. Gift of the artist, in honor of Margaret Ann Frasher.
Adoption Price: $400
Adoption Profile: This dynamic abstract print likes old bookstores, reading with a cup of tea on a rainy day, and birdwatching.
A newer acquisition, it is not currently in need of conservation so your adoption will help the museum to acquire more artwork by important Texas artists.
Jim Dine, Nancy Reading, 1973, etching print on paper. Gift of Sue Mann.
Adoption Price: $500
Adoption Profile: This etching has it all – it’s quiet, intellectual, and unbothered by art fads. Modern yet classic, it loves the citylife, crossword puzzles, libraries, and coffeeshops.
Conservation Needs: This large etching is in need of archival treatment to ensure its longevity. Replacing the original backing board and paper as well as the framing tape will allow this print to be enjoyed by museum visitors for years to come.
Joan Steinman, Mill 6, 2016, oil on canvas. Museum purchase.
Adoption Price: $600
Adoption Profile: This painting likes Cubist art, cool colors and fun conversations with cousins, long walks on the bayou, gumbo with rice, rice pudding, and any other rice dishes.
While not in need of conservation at this time, when you adopt this work of art you are supporting future acquisitions of art by artists who exhibit at the Art Museum of Southeast Texas.
David Bates, Forsythia, 2000, painted wood relief. Gift of the Dallas Museum of Art, The Barrett Collection, Dallas, Texas.
Adoption Price: $750
Adoption Profile: This artwork prefers the great outdoors, the color yellow, and organic produce. It is fond of the Fauves and Post-Impressionism. Hobbies include woodworking, farmers markets, craft breweries, and gardening.
Conservation Needs:This large wooden bas-relief requires a thorough and delicate dusting of its many wooden compositional elements. This will preserve the details of the artwork, remove abrasive particles that could scratch the painted surface, and prevent the accumulation of mold in crevices. Most importantly, regular dusting of an artwork like this allows it to breathe and reduces the risk of damage from a more complex cleaning process.
Maurice St. Lou, Untitled (Ships in Harbor), 1953, oil on canvas. Gift of Charlotte and Jimmy Fontenot.
Adoption Price: $900
Adoption Profile: This painting loves being on the water, whether it is swimming, fishing, or sailing to new horizons. Favorite foods include seafood and sushi.
Conservation Needs: Initial review of this work of art indicates it requires archival backing and board to replace the aging original materials, and a general cleaning. The varnish may need a deeper cleaning. Proper conservation and care of this new acquisition from 2026 will ensure it can be enjoyed by museum visitors for years to come.
Billy Hassle, The Distance, 1985, oil on canvas. Gift of Rob Clark and Jerry Thacker.
Adoption Price: $2000
Adoption Profile: This artwork loves the nightlife, discos, and traveling with birds of a feather to discover new places, art, and music. Known for its striking fashion sense and hip hairstyles, hobbies include karaoke, rollerblading, and foraging.
Conservation Needs: A painting this large should be framed for structural support to prevent warping over time and protect the structural integrity of the artwork. Framing this painting will also protect the corners and sides from potential scratches, dust, and dents. The artist has offered to build a custom frame for the painting in his studio in North Texas. Your support covers art transportation and expenses.
Participation in the Adopt-an-Artwork campaign does not confer ownership, copyright, reproduction rights, control, custody, or any legal or equitable interest in the artwork. The museum retains sole ownership and authority over all artworks at all times.
