Carl Rice Embrey was adopted on June 3, 1997 as the Texas State Two-dimensional media Artist.
The Texas State Artist Committee is a joint committee of the Texas State Legislature. The Texas State Artist Committee designates a Texas State Artist in two categories representing two-dimensional and three-dimensional media.
The committee reviews the artists' submitted material according to six factors in order of priority:
With this criteria in mind, the committee convened at the Capitol on October 7, 1998. The committee hearing room was transformed from its traditional legislative setting to a gallery of Texas artistic talent. The many different images of Texas created by each artist provided a poignant perspective of the state.
The Texas State Artist Committee is announced the selection of two artists for the 1998-99 term in both two-dimensional and three-dimensional media. Mr. Carl Rice Embrey of San Antonio was selected as the Texas State Artist in two-dimensional works of art.
Mr. Carl Rice Embrey's work has been described as a "landscape of memory;" the landscape depicted is Hamilton, Texas where his ancestors first arrived in the late 1840's. His artistic training began on the front porch of his Aunt Edith's Hamilton home when he was only five years old. He received his formal training from the University of Texas earning both a B.F.A. as well as a M.F.A. Mr. Embrey's reflections of Central Texas can be found in numerous private, public and corporate collections. His work has also been exhibited in solo and group shows primarily in Texas, and, more recently, in New York City and London. Charitable donations by Mr. Embrey have been a tremendous benefit to such organizations as the San Antonio Art Institute, San Antonio's public television channel and Hamilton County Hospital, Woman's Council and Public Library.
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
By Crabb
H.C.R. No. 144 75R8397 BNL-D
WHEREAS, A work of art can immortalize for all time the spirit of the age and the cultural heritage by which it was inspired; and
WHEREAS, Recognizing outstanding artists by bestowing on them titles of honor is a long-standing practice and serves as an encouragement to other talented
artists; and
WHEREAS, Traditionally, a committee of the Texas Legislature has elected the Texas State Artist, appropriately honoring those Texans who have exhibited
exceptional ability in portraying the beauty of this state, some facet of its history, or the proud spirit of its people; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 75th Legislature of the State of Texas hereby request the speaker of the house of representatives and the lieutenant governor to
create a special committee to designate Texas State Artists in two categories of art to serve concurrently a term of one year; one state artist shall
be selected each year on the basis of achievements in two-dimensional media and one state artist shall be selected each year on the basis of achievements
in three-dimensional media; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the committee shall designate a Texas State Artist in each category for the year beginning November 1, 1997, and ending October 31,
1998, and a Texas State Artist in each category for the year beginning November 1, 1998, and ending October 31, 1999; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the special committee be named the Texas State Artist Committee and be composed of three members of the senate to be appointed by the
lieutenant governor and three members of the house of representatives to be appointed by the speaker of the house; the lieutenant governor and speaker
of the house shall each designate a cochair from among their appointees, and the committee shall subsequently meet at the call of the cochairs; and,
be it further
RESOLVED, That in the selection process each committee member may nominate no more than two artists for each year, one in each category, and from the
list of nominees, the committee members shall elect a state artist; in the election, a member may not vote for his nominees; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the persons designated as state artists be superior and recognized artists who are citizens of the State of Texas.
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
By Duncan SB1043
AN ACTrelating to creating a committee to appoint a poet laureate, a state musician, and state artists.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Title 106, Revised Statutes, is amended by adding Article 6139k to read as follows:
Art. 6139k. POET LAUREATE, STATE MUSICIAN, AND STATE ARTISTS
Sec. 1. DESIGNATING A POET LAUREATE, A STATE MUSICIAN, AND STATE ARTISTS.
(a) The Texas poet laureate, state musician, and state artist committee shall designate a poet laureate of Texas, a Texas state musician, a Texas state
artist for two-dimensional media, and a Texas state artist for three-dimensional media.
(b) The Texas poet laureate, state musician, and state artist committee shall choose the poet laureate, the state musician, and the state artists from
a list of individuals submitted by the Texas Commission on the Arts.
(c) The individuals designated as the poet laureate, the state musician, and the state artists do not receive any pay or emolument.
(d) The individuals designated as poet laureate, as state musician, and as state artists keep the designation for one year from the date of the designation
ceremony.
Sec. 2. TEXAS POET LAUREATE, STATE MUSICIAN, AND STATE ARTIST COMMITTEE ESTABLISHED.
(a) The Texas poet laureate, state musician, and state artist committee consists of the following seven members:
(1) one member appointed by the governor;
(2) three members appointed by the lieutenant governor; and
(3) three members appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.
(b) One member appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives must be the chair of the house committee that has primary jurisdiction over
arts and cultural matters who serves on the committee as an additional duty of the chairmanship.
(c) Members of the committee who are not members of the legislature serve for a two-year term that expires October 1 of each odd-numbered year.
(d) The members of the committee shall select a presiding officer from the members of the committee.
Sec. 3. RECOMMENDATIONS FROM TEXAS COMMISSION ON THE ARTS.
(a) The Texas Commission on the Arts shall solicit nominations from the arts and cultural community for the poet laureate, the state musician, and
the state artists. The commission shall use the commission's Texas Cultural & Arts Network, the media, public meetings, newsletters, the Writer's
League of Texas, and other appropriate methods to distribute information about the nomination process.
(b) The Texas Commission on the Arts may receive submissions from poets, musicians, and artists who have been nominated.
(c) The Texas Commission on the Arts may assemble a group of artists, musicians, writers, scholars, and other appropriate experts in the fields of
visual arts, music, and literature to:
(1) review the submissions from the nominated poets, musicians, and artists; and
(2) provide advice and recommendations to the commission on who should be considered for designation as poet laureate, as state musician, and as a
state artist.
(d) The Texas Commission on the Arts shall submit to the Texas poet laureate, state musician, and state artist committee a list of not more than 10
individuals who are worthy of being designated as the poet laureate, a list of not more than 10 individuals who are worthy of being designated as the
state musician, a list of not more than 10 individuals who are worthy of being designated as the state artist for two-dimensional media, and a list
of not more than 10 individuals who are worthy of being designated as the state artist for three-dimensional media.
Sec. 4. DESIGNATION CEREMONY. The governor and members of the Texas poet laureate, state musician, and state artist committee shall honor the individuals
designated as poet laureate, as state musician, and as a state artist in a ceremony at the State Capitol.
SECTION 2.
(a) This Act takes effect September 1, 2001.
(b) As soon as possible after the effective date of this Act, the governor, the lieutenant governor, and the speaker of the house of representatives
shall appoint the initial members of the Texas poet laureate, state musician, and state artist committee.