You are cordially invited to join us for a celebration of the art and legacy of Waco-born artist Robert Wilson on his birthday, Sunday, October 4th, 2026, at twelve noon. We are especially pleased to host this event at the beautiful Cameron Hall, the former site of the summer home of the William Cameron Family and the site of The Waco Door, created by Wilson. This event will start with drinks served on the lawn next to The Waco Door, and will be followed by lunch and a short program inside Cameron Hall.
SPONSORSHIP LEVELS
Our sponsorships are named after famous works by Robert Wilson. Both visual and theatrical arts.
The Waco Door | $20,000
- 16 Event Tickets
- Recognition as Presenting Sponsor
- Acknowledgment during event
The Hoffmanettes | $10,000
- 8 Event Tickets
- Recognition as Premier Sponsor
- Acknowledgment during event
The Black Rider | $5,000
- 8 Event Tickets
- Recognition as Event Sponsor
- Acknowledgment during event
Einstein on the Beach | $3,000
- 8 Event Tickets
- Recognition as Event Sponsor
Voom Portraits | $1,000
- 4 Event Tickets
- Recognition as Event Sponsor
Deafman Glance | $500
- 2 Event Tickets
- Recognition as Event Sponsor
Early Bird Ticket | $100
Note: Tickets are $125 after September 1, 2026
To be included on the invitation, complete your sponsorship by August 31, 2026.
ABOUT ROBERT WILSON
Robert Wilson was born in Waco on October 4, 1941 to Velma Loree Hamilton and Diugiud Mims (D.M.) Wilson, who at various times served as Waco’s City Attorney and City Manager. He moved to Austin in 1959 to attend the University of Texas, where he studied for three years.
Wilson moved to New York in the early 1960s to study art and architecture. In 1968, he founded the Byrd Hoffmann School of Byrds, an experimental and inclusive performance group based in Manhattan. The school was named for Bird Hoffman, a Waco dance instructor who played a pivotal role in Wilson’s early life. He credited Bird with advising him to thoughtfully slow down his speech, a practice that eventually allowed him to overcome a stutter. Bird also encouraged Wilson to express himself freely, advice that inspired his career in the arts. It is clear that Robert felt understood and accepted by Bird, who had herself trained and danced in New York.
Wilson was a prolific creator, known for experimental, avant-garde theatre productions and for his many collaborations with artists from Philip Glass to Lady Gaga. His productions were featured in the United States, France, Germany, Russia, Greece, Slovenia, Japan, Australia, Sweden, England, and Iran.
In addition to his work for the stage, Wilson created sculpture, drawings, and furniture designs and worked frequently with young and developing artists. In 1992 he founded the Watermill Center, owned by the selffounded Byrd Hoffman Watermill Foundation in Long Island, New York, which continues to hold multidisciplinary workshops for students from around the world. Lindsay Morris for The New York Times.
In 1995, the Waco Art Center commissioned the Waco Door by Wilson, located on the MCC campus by the new Cameron Hall. This 19′ steel structure is often considered one of the city’s most significant public artworks.
Since Wilson’s passing in 2025, memorials have been held in New York, Berlin, Paris and Milan. Waco’s memorial for its native son will be a celebration of Wilson’s life and legacy on his birthday.
