Michael Galbreth

1956 - 2019

Michael Galbreth 63 of Houston, TX. passed away on October 19, 2019, due to complications from aortic dissesction. He is survived by his wife of 16 years, Rainey Knudson, son Tennessee 11, mother Patricia Galbreth of Nashville, TN, brothers Bill and Joe Galbreth, sister Patty Galbreth Stephens, their spouses and children.

Michael was born on January 6, 1956 in Philadelphia, PA. and spent his elementary and high school years in Nashville, TN. He is a graduate of Father Ryan High School class of 1974. Michael pursued undergraduate studies at Middle Tennessee State University and Memphis State University (now the University of Memphis) where he obtained a BFA in 1980. He went on to earn an MFA from the University of Houston in 1984. In 1983, Michael began working with Jack Massing as part of the duo "The Art Guys", a collaboration that has spanned more than 36 years. The Art Guys have presented hundreds of exhibitions, performances, lectures and other activities throughout the United States, Europe and China. Over the years, Mr. Galbreth served on the boards of DiverseWorks, Houston, and the Contemporary Art Museum Houston; he served on the University of Houston System-Wide Art Acquisitions Committee (SWAAC), was President of the New Music Alliance advisory board, and was a longtime member of the Film Committee of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. In addition to his pursuits with "The Art Guys", at the time of his death, Michael was teaching 3 courses at Sam Houston State University. Services for Mr. Galbreth will be held on Monday, October 28, 2019, at 2 PM at Christ Church Cathedral in Houston, with a reception following at the church. A celebration of his life will be held at his studio in the coming months. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Michael Galbreth Visiting Artist Fund at Sam Houston State University or to the Regis School of the Sacred Heart, Houston.