2025 Brettell Awards: An Evening of Art and Inspiration

The elegant spaces of the Davidson-Gundy Alumni Center served as the setting for the 2025 Richard Brettell Award in the Arts celebration on Nov. 1 at The University of Texas at Dallas. The biennial event brought together artists and members of the University for a seamless event from reception to dinner to dessert — showcasing the versatility of the ballrooms and Texas Instruments Inspiration Hall.

Established through the generosity of Margaret McDermott in honor of the late Dr. Richard Brettell, the award recognizes individuals who have made a lasting impact on the arts. Since its founding, the Brettell Award has celebrated creative excellence across performance, design, literature, visual arts and architecture.

This year’s recipient, Moses Pendleton — renowned choreographer and founder of the internationally acclaimed company MOMIX — was honored for his innovative contributions to modern dance and visual performance.

Throughout the evening, guests enjoyed a vibrant atmosphere that reflected the artistic spirit of the event. TI Inspiration Hall provided a welcoming space for the opening reception and cocktail hour, while the ballrooms — equipped with a state-of-the-art lighting system to meet any event needs — offered a cozy oasis for dinner and featured remarks. The celebration concluded with a dessert reception in TI Inspiration Hall, creating an engaging flow for attendees and showcasing the Davidson-Gundy Alumni Center’s ability to host multi-phase events without compromising ambiance.

For anyone considering the Davidson-Gundy Alumni Center for a future gala, awards dinner or multi-phase event, we invite you to reach out to our event planners to learn how our event spaces can bring your next vision to life.