Mexican Art Exhibit Highlights Met Donor's Contributions

Based in Oklahoma City, Duke Ligon is an attorney, business owner, and board member working in the energy sector. Charitably active, Duke Ligon also serves on the boards of a number of nonprofit organizations in Oklahoma City and beyond, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

A long-running Met exhibit highlights the contributions of early 20th-century philanthropist Emily Johnston de Forest, whose collection of Mexican pottery is on view through September of 2017. Called “Collecting the Arts of Mexico,” the exhibit showcases more than 100 works of art that Ms. De Forest called “maiolica.” In assembling the collection, she endeavored to highlight the significance of Mexican art.

Emily de Forest was the daughter of John Taylor Johnston, who served as the Met’s first president. She married Robert W. de Forest, who would become its fifth president. The de Forests together became the driving force behind construction of the museum’s American Wing.

The Met continues the tradition the de Forests began by collecting artworks from throughout Mexico and Latin America. In addition to objects the couple donated, the exhibit features several paintings by the 18th-century artist Nicolás Enríquez, who created his pieces on backgrounds of copper material.

The Longhorn Foundation - Helping UT Athletes Achieve Their Dreams

Duke Ligon of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, whose career encompasses work as corporate counsel and as an advisor for the boards of directors for a number of notable energy-focused companies, is a proud graduate of the University of Texas School of Law. His extensive support for his alma mater includes service as the first-ever out-of-state president of the law school’s association. In addition, Duke Ligon has spent a decade as a member of the Longhorn Foundation, UT’s official athletics fundraising organization.

The Longhorn Foundation, established three decades ago, operates in the interests of promoting the futures of UT’s hundreds of student athletes. Founder DeLoss Dodds set up the group in order to give the school’s donors the opportunity to invest in the athletic, educational, and long-term goals of its sportsmen and sportswomen. The organization continues to strive to increase athletes’ connections to experienced coaches, and to ensure that they receive high-quality academic support. 

Donated funds additionally go toward providing for the extra nutritional needs of the student athletes, as well as for strength training, leadership development, and travel expenses.

The foundation also works with the mission of promoting values such as integrity on and off the playing field, an appreciation for diversity, and a quest for overall excellence.

Nature Conservancy Designs Bison-Themed License Plate for Oklahoma

Oklahoma City-based Mekusukey Oil Company owner and manager Duke Ligon possesses over four decades of experience in the oil and energy industry. Duke Ligon also serves on the board of directors for the Nature Conservancy’s Oklahoma branch, which is pursuing an endeavor to introduce a bison-themed state specialty license plate.

The bison holds a special place in the hearts of Oklahoma residents as the state’s official animal, a designation it received in 1972 due to its resilience, power, and majesty. The state opened the first national preserve for bison in 1907 near Cache, which later became the site of the Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Reserve. Additionally, the Nature Conservancy led the state in introducing the animal to the tall-grass prairie at the Joseph H. Williams Tallgrass Prairie Preserve.

Pres. Barak Obama also signed the National Bison Legacy Act in 2016 and thereby officially named the bison as the United States’ national mammal. The Nature Conservancy’s introduction of a bison-themed license plate honors the animal and celebrates its new designation. Members of the public will vote for the plate’s final design, which will require approval from the state tax commission before it can become available for pre-sale. The plate will go into production for state-wide release if 500 plates are sold within the first 180 days of pre-sale release. A portion of the proceeds will go toward the Nature Conservancy for state conservation efforts.

St. Anthony Foundation Prepares for Annual Saint Ball in October 2016

Founder of the in Oklahoma City-based Mekusukey Oil Company, Duke Ligon has held multiple leadership positions in the energy and oil industry. Duke Ligon also serves on the board of directors for the St. Anthony Foundation, the directorial board for the nonprofit faith-based hospital. The St. Anthony Foundation is preparing for its annual Saints Ball on October 28, 2016.

The Saints Ball serves as St. Anthony’s signature black-tie gala and invites donors and hospital staff to an evening of food, sweet treats, and prizes while raising the necessary funds to help the hospital continue to care for patients. Promising an unforgettable affair, the gala kicks off with a cocktail reception and features a live auction. Guests will also enjoy a seated dinner and conclude the evening with live music and dancing.

St. Anthony’s 2016 gala will highlight the theme of Pure Imagination, complete with extravagant décor and engaging performances. It will take place at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum.

To learn more about the Saints Ball: Pure Imagination, visit www.givetosaints.com/saintsball.