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Dr. Ira Blake visits Kannappan Art Museum:

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On Friday, September 15th 2017 Dr. Ira K Blake, President, University of Houston Clear Lake campus visited Pearland's first museum, "Visions of India." The collection was installed and is on loan from the Kannappan Art Museum. Rhonda Thompson and Richard J. Zalesak Sr., of UHCL accompanied Dr. Blake.

Heidi Wiess, Executive Director, Pearland Alliance for Arts & Culture welcomed the gathering of Texas State Representative Ed Thompson, Pearland Mayor Tom Reid, Pearland's Convention and Visitors Bureau Director Kim Sinistore and Real Estate Developer and PAA&C Board Member Sherry Stockwell along with other patrons.

Sam Kannappan conducted a tour and historical account of the museum collection, including the three Indian statues, textiles and musical instruments. He also explained classical Indian Chettinadu architecture, which he plans to replicate in Pearland. JingJing Clemence, US Representative Pete Olson's Asian Community Liason also shared plans of Chinese developers to build and replicate a famous Chinese museum. A power point was then delivered explaining the concept of a "Global City" and possible museum collaboration with UHCL Pearland Campus, which include locating the museums adjacent to the current Pearland Campus.

Somarajan Nair , PAA&C Development Committee member and chair of Library Committee, Sri Meenakshi Temple, discussed several Pearland properties suitable for building one or more museums. Lata Krishna Rao, I-Raos Inc, reported on the rapid development growth in Pearland and surrounding areas as well as emerging economic trends. Mayor Reid talked about the expansion of Freeport port.

The visit concluded with a brilliant performance by Pearland veena artist Manjula. Vatsakumar, Executive director of Sri Meenakshi Temple gave a brief history of the veena instrument and its importance to Indian music.

Additionally, Seth Thompson, AGCM, presented a preliminary site plan for the museums' district. More jubilation was had as congratulations were given to Sam and Meena Kannappan on their fiftieth wedding anniversary. Dr. Blake expressed her congratulations on their marriage and their new endeavor. Dr. Blake termed the global city concept as an extraordinary vision, with far reaching academic applications and partnerships. Kannappan Art Museum will be open for public Tuesday 5.30 PM to 7.30 PM, Saturday 10AM to 2 PM, Sunday 12 noon to 4 PM. Address: 2341 N. Galveston Ave, Pearland, TX 77581.