Exhibit Details

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Nancy B. Hamon

The exhibition featured fashion design sketches, circa 1933-1942, by Nancy B. Hamon (1918-2011) from the Jake and Nancy Hamon Papers, housed in Jerry Bywaters Special Collections in the Hamon Arts Library, which was celebrating its 25th anniversary.

Nancy Blackburn Hamon was born in San Antonio and attended the University of Texas at Austin before enjoying a brief career as a dancer in Hollywood. She moved to Dallas after marrying Jake L. Hamon in 1949. Mrs. Hamon was a legendary philanthropist and Dallas benefitted from her enormous generosity, particularly in the arts, education and medicine in Dallas, San Antonio and San Francisco. In addition, Mrs. Hamon was an extraordinary hostess and was known for the extravagant theme parties she hosted with her husband during the 1950s and 1960s. Themes included circus, Moulin Rouge and others, including a silent movie theme with special guest Louis Armstrong.

Mrs. Hamon’s fashion design sketches were completed while she was in her late teens and early twenties. The vibrant sketches were created using tempera, watercolor, pen and pencil on paper. These wonderfully executed sketches demonstrate Mrs. Hamon’s remarkable talent and lifelong passion for the arts and fashion.

Exhibit Details