H.R. No. 2263
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The Mexic-Arte Museum in Austin is celebrating its
25th anniversary in 2009; and
WHEREAS, This beloved institution was founded at the Arts
Warehouse in 1984 by artists Sylvia Orozco, Pio Pulido, and Sam
Coronado and subsequently became one of the first art venues in
downtown Austin when it moved to a building on Congress Avenue; and
WHEREAS, Since its inception, the museum has produced and
presented cultural and educational programs for more than 100,000
children from throughout Central Texas, and it has hosted numerous
exhibitions focusing on traditional and contemporary Mexican,
Latino, and Latin American art and culture; moreover, it has
organized an annual Dia de los Muertos procession and festival that
regularly draws thousands of participants of all ages and
backgrounds; in 2001, the museum received major support from the
City of Austin to purchase the Congress Avenue building in exchange
for producing an annual exhibition of art created by underserved
youth; and
WHEREAS, Among the many milestones in the museum's rich
history are its selection as the Official Sister Museum of the Diego
Rivera and Frida Kahlo Studio Museum in Mexico City in 1993 and its
designation by the Texas Legislature as the Official Mexican and
Mexican American Fine Art Museum of Texas in 2003; that same year,
the museum signed an agreement with the Mexican government's
National Council on Arts and Culture to present international art
exhibitions; and
WHEREAS, Most recently, the museum benefited from the passage
of a $5 million bond package that will go toward a new museum
facility and expanded educational services, and it initiated an
internship and research assistant program in partnership with the
College of Fine Arts at The University of Texas at Austin; and
WHEREAS, Generously supported by sponsors, donors, members,
and a visionary board of directors, Mexic-Arte Museum has
distinguished itself as a vital cultural resource, and with its
innovative exhibitions and educational outreach programs, it is
sure to remain a respected Central Texas institution for many years
to come; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby honor the Mexic-Arte Museum on its 25th
anniversary and extend to all those associated with the museum
sincere best wishes for continued success; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for the Mexic-Arte Museum as an expression of high regard
by the Texas House of Representatives.
Naishtat
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 2263 was adopted by the House on May
25, 2009, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House