Art work includes sculpture display inspired by a Burnet business donation
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Visitors walking the sculpture trails at Museo Benini will come upon Bumper Crop inspired by scrap metal parts offered to the museum by Burnet’s Lake Country Collision. Contributed photo
Museo Benini, a contemporary fine arts museum 25 miles south of Burnet, which features 65 years of the work of Italian- born Benini, is now open every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., free of charge. Other days are by appointment.
On Saturday, Dec. 17, visitors can meet Benini at 3:30 p.m. for a question and answer session during a holiday reception titled, “Colors of the Holidays.” And those who choose to walk the museum’s sculpture trail will discover the newest sculpture had its origins in Burnet.
Museo Benini was built in the tradition of European single artist museums; it features Superroses of the 1970’s, surrealism of the 80’s, geometric shaped canvases of the 90’s, and more recent works of an abstract nature.
“It’s a must see,” noted Burnet artist Eduardo Rivera. “If someone does not know about Museo Benini yet, and many here do not, I will say it stands out in the area. The brilliant colors in the gallery are what captivate my friends and I when we visit,” he added.
Benini and his wife Lorraine moved to Texas in 1999, purchasing the ranch and mountaintop home formerly owned by President Lyndon Johnson near Johnson City.
For 14 years, thousands of visitors, especially from this area in Texas, attended cultural events at The Benini Galleries and Sculpture Ranch. Through the years, 165 large scale sculptures by 35 sculptors from here and abroad were installed on the 143 acres with driving trails.
In 2014, the Beninis moved to Burnet County and built the 6500 sq.ft. Museo Benini, located just three miles from Highway 281 on East FM 2147. The project also includes contemporary sculptures by artists, most of them now in the museum collection, displayed on the sculpture trail near the main galleries and throughout the ranch.
Mike Wiegand, owner of Lake Country Collision in Burnet and Benini have become friends through the years.
On one visit, Benini caught sight of a pile of chrome bumpers Mike had stacked to be hauled away. Artists being artists, Benini asked Mike what his plans were for them, and soon, some were loaded into Benini’s truck.
Benini’s installation crew got to work, and now, visitors walking the sculpture trails at Museo Benini will come upon Bumper Crop ... and it all began with a Texan and an Italian becoming friends in Burnet, Texas.
For more information, visit MuseoBenini.com or call 830-693-2147.
