H.C.R. No. 254
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The Texas Commission on the Arts has announced the
2009 and 2010 appointments for the positions of State Poet
Laureate, State Musician, State Two-Dimensional Artist, and State
Three-Dimensional Artist; and
WHEREAS, Honorees are chosen for the exceptional quality of
their work and for their outstanding commitment to the arts in
Texas; nominees must either be native Texans or have resided in the
state for at least five years; in addition, they must have received
critical recognition from state, regional, and national
publications, and they must have attained the highest levels of
excellence in their respective disciplines; and
WHEREAS, The 2009 Texas State Poet Laureate is Paul Ruffin, a
Distinguished Professor of English at Sam Houston State University;
the author of six acclaimed books of poetry as well as several
volumes of fiction and nonfiction, Mr. Ruffin has published poems
in hundreds of journals and anthologies; he is also the founder and
editor of The Texas Review and the director of Texas Review Press;
and
WHEREAS, Willie Nelson is the 2009 Texas State Musician; this
legendary Texas performer was playing the guitar at the age of 6 and
performing at 10; after establishing himself in Nashville as a hit
songwriter, he returned to Texas and soon became world-famous as an
interpreter of his own songs and as an icon of the outlaw country
music movement; he has further distinguished himself as a film and
television actor and entrepreneur, as well as an ever-popular
touring concert artist who has been involved in numerous charity
events such as FarmAid; and
WHEREAS, The 2009 Texas State Two-Dimensional Artist is Rene
Alvarado; born in Mexico, he came to the United States with his
family as a boy, and his work powerfully evokes the values and
heritage of his native country, finding universal resonance in the
rich particularity of Mexican culture; his work has been featured
in galleries and exhibitions throughout Texas and the Southwest;
and
WHEREAS, Eliseo Garcia has been selected as the 2009 Texas
State Three-Dimensional Artist; his inspiring bas-relief
sculptures pay homage to the importance of family, love, and
spirituality while reflecting the ancient cultural traditions of
the Aztec and Mayan civilizations; often carved out of Texas
limestone, his works are on permanent display in arts centers,
hospitals, libraries, and other public buildings across the state;
and
WHEREAS, Fort Worth native and Denton resident Karla K.
Morton has been named as the 2010 Texas State Poet Laureate; a
songwriter and children's book author as well as a celebrated poet,
Ms. Morton performs her poetry across the state and has recorded her
poems with musical accompaniment; she is a founder of the Denton
Poet's Assembly and a member of the board of directors of the
Greater Denton Arts Council; and
WHEREAS, Sara Hickman of Austin will be the 2010 Texas State
Musician; this talented singer-songwriter has recorded many
critically acclaimed albums; the daughter of a painter and a
weaver, the multitalented Ms. Hickman is also a painter; she
supports many social causes through her work and regularly performs
and records music for children; and
WHEREAS, Austin painter Marc Burckhardt has been named as the
2010 Texas State Two-Dimensional Artist; born in Germany and raised
in Texas, Mr. Burckhardt combines European imagery with thematic
material from contemporary American life; his mischievous wit is
enhanced by his adoption of the glazing and varnishing techniques
of the old masters, and his work has been featured in galleries and
shows around the nation and across the world; and
WHEREAS, The 2010 Texas State Three-Dimensional Artist will
be John Bennett, who began sculpting figures in 1976 and cast his
first bronze in 1985; acclaimed for his sculptures of women, he has
created works depicting women from all walks of life, from Old West
legend Annie Oakley to 98-year-old Alice Reeves, a former
schoolteacher and granddaughter of a slave; one of his pieces was
selected by the Women's Museum for display at the White House in
1999; and
WHEREAS, The men and women who have been selected to hold
these prestigious posts for the next two years have all greatly
contributed to the vibrant cultural life of the Lone Star State, and
Texas is indeed fortunate to be home to these talented artists; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 81st Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby honor the 2009 and 2010 appointees to the positions of State
Poet Laureate, State Musician, State Two-Dimensional Artist, and
State Three-Dimensional Artist and extend to each of them sincere
best wishes for continued creativity and achievement.
Homer
Crownover
McReynolds
Darby
Naishtat
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.C.R. No. 254 was adopted by the House on May
28, 2009, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.C.R. No. 254 was adopted by the Senate on May
28, 2009, by a viva-voce vote.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: __________________
Date
__________________
Governor