McNay 70
In 2024, we are thrilled to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the McNay Art Museum. Built in the late 1920s by Marion Koogler McNay, the distinctive residence became the site of Texas’s first modern art museum when it opened in 1954. Since Marion McNay’s bequest of 700 works of art, along with her house, surrounding 23 acres, and an endowment to establish the museum, the McNay has broadened its program offerings, grown its collection, and expanded its spaces.
For 70 years, the McNay has engaged a diverse community in the discovery and enjoyment of the visual arts. We are pleased to begin a year-long celebration honoring our history as well as our founder, Marion McNay (February 7, 1883–April 12, 1950). Throughout 2024, we will invite the public to join in commemorating the Museum’s legacy of transformational art experiences through an array of events, programs, storytelling, and activations.
Our 70th anniversary events kicks off with Founder’s Day on February 8 in honor of Marion McNay’s birthday and culminates in November with a month-long series of events to mark the opening month of the Museum in 1954.
As part of the celebration, we’re debuting McNay Stories, a video series that brings together significant McNay experiences from across the decades as told by members of our community. Come back often for new stories added throughout the year and share your own on social media with #McNay7
1954 – 2024
70 Years of Art and Community
Navigate through this interactive timeline of the Museum’s history by clicking or tapping the arrows below.
For a deeper dive, read the special 70th-anniversary issue of Impressions magazine.
Marion Koogler McNay moved to San Antonio, where she married her second husband, Dr. Donald Atkinson. They owned a 132-acre goat farm on the then undeveloped north side of San Antonio and set out to build the finest house in San Antonio.
Mrs. McNay commissioned well-known local father-and-son architecture team Atlee B. Ayres and Robert M. Ayres. As an artist and an art collector, she oversaw every design detail during the thirty-two months of construction, including custom tiles, painted ceiling stencils, textured stucco walls, and custom crafted light fixtures and window grilles. The house was completed in 1929.
Marion began to collect art seriously. Her first major purchase was an oil painting, Delfina Flores, by Diego Rivera. She also bought watercolors by Mary Cassatt, George Grosz, and Paul Signac.
Art dealers in New Mexico advised Mrs. McNay on purchasing Paul Gauguin's Portrait of the Artist with Idol. After seeing Vincent van Gogh's Women Crossing the Fields on a trip to Chicago, she purchased it, growing a remarkable collection. She continued travels to New Mexico and purchased New Mexican jewelry, pottery, santos, and textiles.
Marion had a generous, welcoming spirit, opening her doors to many guests. She began to make plans to leave her house and her art collection as the first modern art museum in Texas.
Mrs. McNay invited the San Antonio Art Institute into her home. She built a library and studio classroom; paid for art supplies, salaries for teachers, and exhibitions; and housed visiting instructors so that others could share in her love of art.
Upon her death, Mrs. McNay left her house, a collection of more than 700 works of art, and an endowment to establish the first modern art museum in Texas.
The Museum opened on November 4, 1954, after renovations that had been specified by Mrs. McNay before her death were carried out by the original architects. With John Palmer Leeper as its first director, the Museum opened with an exhibition devoted to Pablo Picasso.
Director (1954-1990)
John Palmer Leeper was the first director of the Marion Koogler McNay Art Museum, overseeing major renovations, significant acquisitions, and publishing multiple books during his 36-year tenure.
The Peggy Pitman Mays Docent Program was established at the McNay in 1964, beginning a rich education tradition at the McNay.
The Tobin Library Wing, home to one of the most significant performing arts collections in the world, opened at the McNay in 1984. Pictured: Robert L. B. Tobin (left) and Linda Hardberger, Curator of the Tobin Collection of Theatre Arts (right).
Director (1991-2016)
William J. Chiego became the second director, leading a major expansion of the Museum’s collection, facilities, staff, and programs.
The McNay begins plans for a $51 million capital campaign which culminated with the 2008 opening of the Jane and Arthur Stieren Center for Exhibitions.
The Jane & Arthur Stieren Center for Exhibitions, the timeless design by architect Jean-Paul Viguier, was built in 2008, adding 45,000 square feet of space for exhibitions and programming. The building complements the intimacy of the original home.
Director (2016-2023)
Richard Aste was appointed as the Museum’s third director on August 2, 2016. In 2019 Aste welcomed the public to reimagine a more inclusive McNay, launching the Landscape Master Plan.
Director (2023 – present)
Matthew McLendon became the Museum’s fourth director on February 13, 2023. Building upon the seven decades of impact, McLendon continues paving the path forward to be San Antonio’s place of belonging.
Mrs. McNay was dedicated to making her residence inviting to anyone, a legacy that carries on today in programming, exhibitions, technology, and storytelling. This spirit is captured in the everyday stories from our visitors who express a sense of ownership and community pride in their Museum. Our spaces have evolved over time, offering inviting backdrops for learning, discovery, and celebration for years to come.
Virtual Architecture Tour
With architect and docent Dan Wigodsky as your guide, take a journey through time, marveling at the details of Marion Koogler McNay’s residence and discover how the McNay Art Museum has evolved across 70 years.
About Dan Wigodsky
Dan Wigodsky grew up in San Antonio and was first introduced to the McNay by his mother, Jo Ann Pincus Wigodsky, who served as a docent at the Museum and as a board member of the San Antonio Art Institute at the McNay.
Dan earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Princeton University with honors in 1973. He was a three-time collegiate All American in fencing, was on the U.S. World University Games team, and was on three U.S. Under 19 World Championships teams in fencing and the modern pentathlon. He received his Master of Architecture degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1976.
Since 1973, Dan has led an exemplary career as an architect. After 20 years with a prominent San Antonio architecture firm, eventually as a name partner, in 2001 he founded the firm Wigodsky & Associates Architects. In 2018 this firm became Wigodsky & Derrick Architects. In his 50 years of experience, Dan has been an architect for school, university, commercial, church, and residential projects as large as $100 million.
Dan is knowledgeable in both classical and modern design. He has lectured at Trinity University, the University of Pennsylvania, the Art Institute of San Antonio, the University of Texas at San Antonio, and the University of Texas at El Paso. He has been involved in numerous community and arts organizations, including the Friends of the McNay Art Museum Board of Directors from 1986 to 1987. He has been a McNay docent since 2020.
Dan enjoys sharing his deep knowledge of Marion Koogler McNay’s residence with McNay visitors, staff, and docents.
#mcnay70
70th Anniversary Committee
FOUNDERS LEVEL
Emma and Toby Calvert & The F.B. Doane Foundation
Lou Celia and Don Frost
Marie Halff
Jane Stieren Lacy
Connie McCombs McNab & McCombs Foundation
Cynthia and Forrest Miller
Pat and Tom Semmes
The Tobin Endowment & J. Bruce Bugg Jr.
ARTIST LEVEL
Carla and John Brozovich
Caroline and William Carrington
Frost Bank
Joanie and JR Hurd
L.D. Ormsby Charitable Foundation, Inc.
Barbie and Toby O’Connor
Carolyn and Allan Paterson
Corinna and JB Richter
