Generosity Rooted in Friendship Enhances Art and Archives
Alan Beckstead’s commitment to UT San Antonio libraries is evident in his significant donations and his drive to foster a deep appreciation for the arts. In June 2022 he and his partners, Daniel Lerma and Steve Annala, generously named UT San Antonio as a future beneficiary of their retirement accounts to support the Arturo Almeida Art Collection Endowment for the library’s art collection and student art programs. In addition, Alan donated 116 pieces of art from his personal collection, which includes a notable lithograph by Andy Warhol and a range of pieces showcasing San Antonio’s local artistry.
Alan’s strong connection to UT San Antonio has been deeply influenced by his friendship with UT San Antonio’s art curator, Arturo Almeida, which spans more than two decades. Their first joint venture was at the San Antonio AIDS Foundation, where Arturo supported Alan in organizing art silent auctions. This collaboration blossomed further when Alan served on the board, and eventually as president, of the Artist Foundation of San Antonio. Throughout these roles, Almeida was a consistent pillar of support, helping Alan source art from local talents and even orchestrating a catalog for an exhibit.
It is their shared passion for art and their enduring friendship that inspired Alan to support the Arturo Almeida Art Collection Endowment.
“This collection embodies both uniqueness and diversity with a host of art made with different paints, fabrics, and materials,” said Alan. “I’m eager for incoming art students, especially those unfamiliar with a range of artistic techniques, to explore and draw inspiration from it.”
In addition to the extensive art collection and the planned gift for the Almeida Art Collection Endowment, Alan recently made a blended gift to the Happy Foundation Research Archives. This gift provides support now for the archives housed in the UT San Antonio Libraries Special Collections, with a retirement fund beneficiary gift coming later. With these commitments, Alan’s total contributions to the university exceed $1 Million. His generosity ensures that UT San Antonio will continue to be a beacon for art appreciation and education for years to come.
