83R7236 BK-D
By: Howard H.R. No. 680
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Wanda Montemayor, an art therapist and school
counselor, initiated and led an effort in 2011 to create a mosaic
mural at Deep Eddy Pool in Austin; and
WHEREAS, This impressive public art installation depicts the
100-year history of the oldest swimming pool in Texas with a
colorful array of tiles and mirror shards; along with
black-and-white illustrations of patrons in period attire, the
1200-square-foot design includes discrete sections of text
describing a time when the pool featured carnival acts such as a
trapeze and a diving horse; and
WHEREAS, The mural is the end result of a half-decade of
research, planning, fund-raising, and dedicated work on the part of
Ms. Montemayor and more than 60 volunteers, including children and
teens from eight Austin area schools; motivated by a desire to
encourage self-expression and to help students develop a sense of
belonging, she tasked them with crafting and laying the blue and
green clay tiles and inscribing them with personal messages about
their lives and their plans for the future; and
WHEREAS, An eighth-grade counselor at O. Henry Middle School,
Ms. Montemayor has championed the use of art therapy to help at-risk
children for more than a decade; she holds master's degrees in art
therapy and professional counseling and has shared her expertise
with such organizations as Safe Place, Con Mi MADRE, and Big
Brothers Big Sisters; and
WHEREAS, Through her involvement in this worthwhile
initiative, Wanda Montemayor created both a vibrant tribute to a
historic Texas landmark and a creative outlet for young people, and
she may reflect with great pride on her role in an artistic endeavor
that will be admired for years to come; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas
Legislature hereby commend Wanda Montemayor for overseeing the Deep
Eddy mural project and extend to her sincere best wishes for
continued success in all her endeavors; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Ms. Montemayor as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives.