It's a jewel that many South Texans forget is here at home.
The Art Museum of South Texas.
Morgane Heinz with the museum's membership committee says "for the past several decades, the Art Museum has always had just an older involvement and it seems over the last copule of years, membership keeps dropping. We still have our older members here but we've noticed that we don't have that younger group."
And that's why the membership committee came up with the idea to put together several parties throughout the year that will attrack, the younger, working professionals to the arts.
"We're going to have 1 party for every 2 exhibits" adds Morgane.
Right now, the Art Museum has about 1,000 members compared to other attractions, such as the Texas State Aquarium, which has a membership of over 4,000, the group thought it was time for a change.
"There's a stigma of just being a kind of older, stuffy atmosphere. Were trying to create more of a vibrant, kind of creative, younger atmosphere" says Stephen McMains, also with the membership committee.
Courtney Rangel, one of the members who came up with the Series7 parties says "I think it's really an opportunity for people to have their own group to identify with in town, if they don't already have one."
It's all about getting younger adults to re-discover or discover for the first time the beauty of art.
"This is not an intimidating space. This is a space of works of labor of love and (for us to) appriciate what they've put out there for us and its not only for older but for all ages" says Heinz.
Parties similar to these have proven very sucessful in big cities such as Dallas and Houston.
The first Series7 party is THURSDAY night (5/15/08) at the Art Museum of South Texas, 1902 Shorline ,right next to the American Bank Center.
There will be D'oeuvres, complimentary signature drinks and so much more.
It's $20.00 to get in or if you're a member, it's free.
A membership to the Art Museum is only $40.00.