The 2009 Texas Medal of Arts Awards Honors the Brightest Lone Stars

AUSTIN, Texas-(Business Wire)-January 23, 2009 - The Texas Cultural Trust, (www.txculturaltrust.org) announced today the recipients of its bi-annual Texas Medal of Arts Awards, celebrating the state’s legendary artists, entertainers, and art patrons. The Texas Cultural Trust will pay tribute to honorees in a series of events April 6-7 culminating in a ceremony and show at the Long Center the evening of April 7. Governor Rick and Mrs. Perry, Lt. Governor David Dewhurst and Speaker of the House Joe Straus and Mrs. Straus III will serve as Honorary Chairs.

“As stewards and patrons of the arts, it is our job to nurture the creativity of Texas artists, and to preserve and commemorate the works of the past,” said Governor Rick Perry. “I am very proud of the positive impact these artists are making across our state.”

A number of world-class companies, foundations and individuals from across Texas provide ongoing support for the Texas Medal of Arts Awards. AT&T has been a lead sponsor since the Awards’ inception in 2001. Other major sponsors include Anheuser-Busch Companies, Gulf States Toyota, BP and Texas Monthly.

The 2009 Texas Medal of Arts Award honorees are:

ROBERT RAUSCHENBERG– LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT

Born in Port Arthur, Texas, Robert Rauschenberg’s work reflects a broad vision. Inclusion, both in the materials he uses and in the relationship with the viewer, permeates his art. Rauschenberg is represented in every major museum collection. Shows of his most recent works, The Lotus Series, are currently in several galleries around the world. Robert Rauschenberg died on May 12, 2008.

LAKE|FLATO – ARCHITECTURE

From small vacation homes in south Texas to larger institutional buildings at universities throughout the country, the architecture produced by San Antonio residents, David Lake and Ted Flato, all share a respect for the uniqueness of its place in both the natural and built landscapes. In 2004, the American Institute of Architects awarded Lake|Flato Architects the prestigious Firm Award – the highest honor an American architecture firm can receive. www.lakeflato.com

JAMES DICK – ARTS EDUCATION

James Dick brings piano keyboard sonorities of captivating opulence and brilliance to performances that radiate intellectual insight and emotional authenticity. A few honors include: Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres by the French Minister of Culture, 2003 Texas State Musician, International Sterling Patron of the Mu Phi Epsilon Fraternity. In 1971, he established The International Festival-Institute at Round Top, Texas. This educational project welcomes young artists looking for developing their skills in solo, chamber music and orchestral repertoire. www.jamesdick.org

ANHEUSER-BUSCH COMPANIES – CORPORATE ARTS PATRON

For more than 100 years, Anheuser-Busch, a wholly owned subsidiary of InBev, and the Anheuser-Busch Foundation have reached out to groups in need, contributing to community organizations across the country and touching countless individual lives. During the past decade alone, the company and its foundation have donated more than $370 million to charitable organizations, including those that support education, the arts, cultural enrichment, economic development and environmental conservation. www.anheuser-busch.com

EDITH O’DONNELL – INDIVIDUAL ARTS PATRON

Edith O’Donnell, philanthropist, has played a pivotal role in advancing the arts and education in Dallas. O’Donnell co-founded Young Audiences of Greater Dallas in 1989 (now Big Thought), which reaches thousands of students each year and recently received an $8 million grant from the Wallace Foundation. O’Donnell served a six-year term on The Texas Commission on the Arts. Currently, O’Donnell serves on the advisory board of University of Texas College of Fine Art.

T. R. FEHRENBACH – LITERARY ARTS

Born in San Benito, Texas, but currently lives in San Antonio,Ted Fehrenbach is the renowned historian of the State of Texas and the author of the still definitive book on Texas history entitled Lone Star: A History of Texas and the Texans, the most widely read history of Texas and basis for the PBS miniseries. Fehrenbach was appointed by Texas Governors Clements and Bush to three terms (1983-2001) on the Texas Historical Commission.

AUSTIN CITY LIMITS- MULTIMEDIA

After 35 years running, Austin City Limits continues to present audiences with today's most cutting-edge musical talent in an intimate concert setting. The list of artists who have graced the legendary stage is seemingly endless: Willie Nelson, Roy Orbison, Beck, Norah Jones, Elvis Costello, Alison Krauss, Coldplay, R.E.M., and many more. Austin City Limits was awarded the National Medal of Arts in 2003. www.pbs.org/klru/austin

CLINT BLACK – MUSIC

Clint Black is a profound songwriter. To date, he has written, recorded and released more than 100 songs. He has nearly two dozen number one hits and has won countless awards, including CMA’s Male Vocalist of the Year. In 2003, he started his own record company, Equity Music Group. www.clintblack.com

BETTY BUCKLEY – THEATRE ARTS

Born in Fort Worth, Texas, Betty Lynn Buckley made her Broadway debut in 1969 and has been called “The Voice of Broadway” by New York Magazine and won a Tony for her performance in CATS. She has also appeared in movies including The Happening, Carrie, Tender Mercies, Another Woman and Frantic. www.bettybuckley.com

KEITH CARTER – VISUAL ARTS

Keith Carter's haunting, enigmatic photographs have been shown in over one hundred solo exhibitions in thirteen countries. He holds the endowed Walles Chair of Art at Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas. Ten books of his work have been published including a mid-career survey, Keith Carter Photographs/Twenty-Five Years and his newest, A Certain Alchemy (October 2008). www.keithcarterphotographs.com

Texas Medal of Arts Awards

The Texas Medal of Arts Awards, the signature event of the Texas Cultural Trust since 2001, spotlights and celebrates the creative excellence, exemplary talents, and outstanding contributions by Texans in selected categories, ultimately featuring the best in Texas. The Awards honor citizens who have achieved greatness through their creative talents as well as those whose philanthropic generosity has opened doors to artistic opportunity for Texans of all ages. The Texas Medal of Arts Awards accents and exposes the power of the arts to our children’s education, to the state’s economy, and to the proud and special Texas culture. Past Award winners include: Van Cliburn (Lifetime Achievement), Tommy Lee Jones (Film), Willie Nelson (Music), and Walter Cronkite (Lifetime Achievement), Neiman Marcus (Corporate Arts Patron), and Bill Wittliff (Multimedia). For more information go to: www.txculturaltrust.org/tmaa.

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