The Art of Texas State Parks: A Centennial Celebration, 1923-2023 - Hardcover

by Andrew Sansom (Author), Linda J. Reaves (Author), William E. Reaves (Contribution by)

In 2023, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department marks the 100th anniversary of the state park system. From its inception in 1923, the Texas park system has grown to 95 sites, covering more than 627,000 acres and comprising 74 state parks, 13 historic sites, and 8 natural areas. This vast collection of natural lands and public places now accommodates almost 9 million visitors each year.

The Art of Texas State Parks celebrates this rich tradition, offering an engaging visual arts survey of Texas state parks as seen through the eyes of leading artists from across the state. Editors Andrew Sansom and Linda J. Reaves have collected original works from thirty of the state's most influential artists. These stunning visual works are accompanied by a thoughtful essay by William E. Reaves on the time-honored legacy of landscape painting in Texas and by Sansom's reflections on the vital place of landscape art in Texas conservation. Rounding out the collection, assistant state park director Kevin Good offers an informative profile of Texas state parks, and the work concludes with profiles of the artists whose pieces appear in this special centennial collection.

The centennial of the state parks system offers the perfect occasion to create a lasting visual record of Texas parks in art while memorializing the past and ongoing development of the distinctive collection of Lone Star parks and natural areas. The Art of Texas State Parks offers readers increased awareness of Texas parklands and heightens their popular appeal through the elegant and inspired works of some of Texas' finest contemporary artists.

Includes the work of these artists:
Randy Bacon, Abilene Mary Baxter, Marfa David Caton, Utopia Charles Criner, Houston Margie Crisp, Elgin Ric Dentinger, San Antonio Fidencio Duran, Austin Janet Eager Krueger, Encinal Joel R. Edwards, Waco Malou Flato, Austin Gordon Fowler, Austin Pat Gabriel, Fort Worth David R. Griffin, Dallas Brian Grimm, Fredericksburg Clemente F. Guzman III, San Antonio Karl E. Hall, Houston John Austin Hanna, Fredericksburg Billy Hassell, Fort Worth Hailey E. Herrera, Bryan Lee Jamison, Huntsville Denise LaRue Mahlke, Whitehouse Talmage Minter, Waco William B. Montgomery, Elgin Kermit Oliver, Waco Noe Perez, Corpus Christi Jeri Salter, Hutto Jim Stoker, San Antonio Bob Stuth-Wade, Dublin Terri M. Wells, Austin

All author proceeds from the sale of this book will benefit the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation.

Author Biography

ANDREW SANSOM is one of Texas' leading conservationists. The former executive director of the Meadows Center for Water and the Environment at Texas State University, he has also served as the executive director of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Texas Nature Conservancy. He is the coauthor of several books, including Of Texas Rivers and Texas Art. LINDA J. REAVES is former co-owner and vice president of Reaves-Foltz Fine Art. She is coeditor, with William E. Reaves, of Sense of Home: The Art of Richard Stout and King Ranch: A Legacy in Art. She has been an avocational art historian and collector for more than thirty years.