A new exhibition titled "From Hermès to Home" at the Waco Welcome Center showcases the work of internationally acclaimed artist Kermit Oliver alongside local artists Cade Kegerreis and Vincent Thomas, who were mentored by Oliver. Oliver is the only American artist to have designed scarves for Hermès, and the show features his iconic scarf designs alongside paintings and self-portraits by all three artists, marking the first time their work has been exhibited together. The exhibition coincides with a limited-edition re-release of Oliver's scarf design "Faune et Flore du Texas" and the upcoming publication of a book about him by Texas A&M University Press.
This exhibition matters because it formally tells a mentorship story that has never been publicly documented, highlighting how Oliver's deeply symbolic, faith-and-mythology-infused practice has influenced a new generation of artists shaping Waco's cultural landscape. By bridging high fashion, fine art, and local community, the show underscores the enduring impact of artistic legacy and the ripple effects of mentorship on place-based cultural identity.