@txhocomum
aka, the MUMENTOUS project
the making of an art exhibit
What began as a series of photographs shot at one high school in North Texas, MUMENTOUS came into its own during and after Amy’s tenure as the inaugural Artist-in-Residence at the Arlington Museum of Art in Arlington, TX.
a sampling of photos from the collection
By the time the Museum debuted Amy’s exhibition entitled MUMENTOUS: The Upsizing of a Texas Tradition in Fall 2019, Amy had creatively moved into a fully immersive, multi-media headspace. In addition to her much-expanded photography series, her exhibition included five original narratives based on real-life accounts from across the state; a mini documentary she produced about the history of homecoming mums; an original audio installation; digital art; and a live Instagram feed.
Her most eye-catching piece, however, was best categorized as performance art. She created and curated a 40-foot three-dimensional “wall” of homecoming mums and garters borrowed or donated from Texans who wore them between the late 1970s through 2019.
opening reception for MUMENTOUS
September 2019
The debut of MUMENTOUS: The Upsizing of a Texas Tradition garnered significant media attention due to the popularity of the tradition in Texas coupled with Amy’s uniquely inclusive, comprehensive and artistic approach. The exhibition drew more visitors than any other by a Texas-based artist in the Museum’s history.
the buzz
what’s next
After the end of her Artist-in-Residency, Amy continued to gather new material and shoot photos until she developed her photography collection and manuscript into a book entitled, MUMENTOUS. The book is published by Atmosphere Press, and the expected release date is Fall 2022.
Meanwhile, the AMA represents Amy’s traveling version of her exhibition, MUMENTOUS: The Upsizing of a Texas Tradition. Contact the Museum for more information.
Amy continues to curate @txhocomum on Facebook and Instagram, a showcase of shared pictures featuring students wearing their mums and garters.
get involved
YOU CAN PARTICIPATE IN AMY’S ON-GOING MUMENTOUS PROJECT IN TWO WAYS:
SHARE YOUR MUM PHOTO
Share your photos of HIGH SCHOOL students, alumni, AND THEIR families wearing, making, SELLING or exchanging HOMECOMING mums/garters. Any school, any decade!
Amy is attempting to collect AT LEAST one PHOTO from all 3300 high schools in Texas.
please include the first name of each person in the photo, name of the high school(s) represented, city, and year the photo was taken.
DM pics or tag amy @txhocomum via Facebook OR Instagram.
SHARE YOUR MUM STORY
Help preserve the history of high school homecoming customs that are unique to Texas and Texans.
Do you have a memory you’d like to share about your Texas high school homecoming mum, garter or traditions?
in conjunction with the Arlington Museum of Art, amy is collecting oral histories on the subject to preserve for future generations.
