Contact: Margaret Blagg
325/ 762-2269
Digital images available on request.
W. Reilly Nail, Jr., 79, of Albany, Texas died Sunday, July 23 in Abilene of natural causes. Best known in later years as the founding director of the acclaimed Old Jail Art Center in Albany, Mr. Nail was accomplished in many areas. As the scion of an Albany ranching family, he was raised in Albany and Fort Worth and graduated from the New Mexico Military Institute and Princeton University. For many years, he was a television producer in New York City, working among other projects on the famed series Gunsmoke. In later years, he wrote a book entitled Per Stirpes about his family's experience in Texas.
One of Mr. Nail's greatest joys was collecting art. While still in high school, he spent ten dollars on a work of art to start his very own collection-a drawing called Wood Gatherer by Fort Worth Circle artist Kelly Fearing. That began a lifelong pursuit that resulted in a multifaceted collection comprising European, American, and Asian art. He was particularly attracted to contemporary figurative art and he introduced the work of several 20 th-century British artists to this country.
When Mr. Nail's "Uncle Bobby"-Robert E. Nail, Jr.-died suddenly of a heart attack in 1968, he inherited an old jailhouse building in Albany that his uncle, a playwright, had been using as a writing studio. Living in New York City at the time, Mr. Nail mulled over possible uses for the building for a decade, then began to persuade family members and friends to join him in refurbishing the building and creating an art museum. This was unheard of in a town of fewer than 2,000 people in rural West Texas, but that did not deter Mr. Nail.
In 1980, The Old Jail Art Foundation (later renamed the Old Jail Art Center) opened in the four rooms of the original jail of Shackelford County, which had been built in 1877. Reilly's mother, and a cousin and his mother-art collectors all, joined him in contributing portions of their collections to comprise the permanent collection of the museum. Thus, the museum began with a serious collection of Asian art and European and American art. Soon people began to flock to the tiny West Texas town. Within a decade, the trustees greatly expanded the museum and the American Association of Museums accredited it.
All this was to the credit of Reilly Nail, who was most definitely in charge but who insisted upon being called Acting Director. He maintained that he did not know exactly how to go about creating an art museum, but that he intended to get the very best advice and to follow it scrupulously. That, he did. The museum has since been re-accredited and has won numerous honors and acclaim in the press and media-even garnering a spot on the CBS Sunday Morning Show.
After a few years on board in a daily capacity, Mr. Nail resigned his "acting" post after having hired the first professional director and staff. He took a spot on the board, where he served for many years. Three years ago, he was named Emeritus Trustee, a status that still afforded him involvement. Indeed, his opinion was highly sought by fellow trustees and staff alike. In 2002, the Texas Association of Museums named Mr. Nail Trustee of the Year, acknowledging his leadership statewide.
Although he still enjoyed his collection immensely, Mr. Nail began giving it to the Old Jail Art Center little by little years ago. Last fall, he made a large gift of most of the remainder of his collection, wishing to see it go to the museum that he created. In 2005, in celebration of the museum's silver anniversary, the museum presented a special exhibition entitled The Founder's Eye: Reilly Nail's Influence on the Old Jail's Collection. Co-curator and fellow trustee Jay Clack wrote in the essay for the gallery guide, "Reilly embodies my ideal, quintessential American, one who-like Walt Whitman through his verse-sees in the arts the path of robust, democratic affirmation of American life for which he is so fond . . . .Unquestionably, it is Reilly's human interest that emerges from his collection. These works show a coterie of humanity at work, at play, at love; in reflection and in reverie; and adapting to the world at hand."
Margaret Blagg, executive director of the Old Jail Art Center, said, " Reilly Nail simply was the Old Jail-from day one until his passing. Although he would have given credit to many others, and rightly so, it was Reilly's vision for the museum that created and shaped it. His legacy is huge and far-reaching, and he will remain our inspiration. We have all lost a great friend."
Reilly Nail was an active supporter of all things Albany, including through many years the Fort Griffin Fandangle, Texas's oldest outdoor production, created by his "Uncle Bobby." When younger, he designed costumes and helped his uncle with production. He was also a devoted member of Trinity Episcopal Church of Albany.
In addition to being survived by members of the Nail family, Reilly Nail is survived by a host of good friends-both lifelong and more recent-and by the Board, staff, volunteers, and membership of the Old Jail Art Center.
Museum Background
The Old Jail Art Center in Albany, Texas, has grown considerably since its humble beginnings in 1980. Starting with the donation of four private collections, the permanent collection has expanded to include over 1,800 works that span important periods in Asian, European, American, and ancient art. Successful capital campaigns in 1984 and 1996 added an important education wing, as well as additional exhibition and operations space. The museum facilities now occupy over 14,000 square feet.
The collection is strong in a number of areas, with most works dating from the 20th Century. The collection includes pieces from well-known artists Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Amedeo Modigliani, Paul Klee, Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Henry Moore, John Marin, Charles Demuth, and Alexander Calder. In addition the museum has strong representation of the Fort Worth Circle (active 1945-55), the regional Taos Modernists (active 1948-1979), a small, impressive Asian Collection, and the W. O. Gross, Jr. Collection of Pre-Columbian art. The outdoor sculpture collection is installed throughout the grounds, with key pieces placed inside the Marshall R. Young Courtyard, including Jesus Bautista Moroles' granite Sun Symbol, Pericle Fazzini's Conversation, and several other post-World War II Italian figurative bronze works.
The Old Jail Art Center is one of the few accredited fine art museums between Fort Worth and El Paso. With a focus on education, exhibitions and art programs are scheduled year-round to serve an audience of children, youth, adults, and visitors from around the globe. The Old Jail Art Center is located on Highway 6, two blocks east of Highway 180 in Albany, Texas. The museum is open to the public Tuesday-Saturday 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM and Sunday 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Admission is free. Please note: the museum is closed on Mondays and major holidays .