19/05/2025
We’ve toured this museum a few times. Just amazing. It’s definitely worth the trip to Canadian.
The Citadelle Art Museum honors the lives and legacy of its founders, Malouf and Therese Abraham, whose deep love for art, education, and community laid the foundation for what The Citadelle has become—and what it will continue to be.
Dr. Malouf Abraham Jr. (1939–2025) and Therese Abraham (1938–2024) transformed an abandoned Canadian, Texas church into their home, and then into something even greater: a vibrant, welcoming space where art could be seen, shared, and celebrated. Their vision was to provide access to their art collection while creating a place where beauty could belong to everyone. In recognition of his lifelong support for the arts, Dr. Abraham was appointed by Governor George W. Bush in 1995 to serve on the Texas Commission on the Arts.
In 2008, Malouf and Therese donated their home, their art collection, and the surrounding land to the people of Canadian. Their dream was simple and bold: to give future generations a space to explore creativity, connect with culture, and see the world in new ways.
That dream is still growing.
As we honor Malouf and Therese, The Citadelle remains committed to preserving what they built—the church that became a home, the home that became a museum, and the collection that continues to inspire. In their spirit, we will continue to rotate new exhibitions, introduce new pieces, and create fresh opportunities for discovery. Visitors will always find something new to
enjoy, admire, and reflect on. While rooted in Canadian, The Citadelle’s educational efforts extend across the Texas Panhandle—bringing art and creative programming to schools and communities throughout the region.
The Citadelle will also continue to serve as an economic and cultural anchor for Canadian, bringing visitors, students, and artists to the region and supporting the local economy through arts and education. Malouf and Therese believed that art didn’t belong in isolation. They wanted it to reach children in even the most remote corners of the Panhandle. Through programs like The Roadshow and ongoing outreach efforts, that vision lives on.
We invite the public to help carry their vision forward—to return, to rediscover, to be inspired, and to share in the creative legacy they’ve left behind. In honoring Malouf and Therese, we’re not only remembering their contributions—we’re continuing their work.
Memorial services for Dr. Malouf Abraham, Jr. will be held on Wednesday, May 21, at 1pm, at The Citadelle Gardens. You can read his full obituary: https://bit.ly/3FguueL.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Malouf’s name to The Citadelle Art Museum, 520 E Nelson Ave., Canadian, TX 79014, thecitadelle.org/donate.
