FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Contact: Debbie McNulty 713.523.9530 or debbie@artleaguehouston.org Photos and complete biographies available on request
2006 Texas Artist and Patron of the Year Announced; Al Souza and Clint Willour to be Honored
Houston -- Art League Houston announced today the selections of Al Souza as the 2006 Texas Artist of the Year and Clint Willour as Texas Patron of the Year. Each year Art League Houston honors those whose work or patronage has had a significant and positive impact on contemporary visual art in Texas. “Al Souza and Clint Willour are both exceptionally talented and highly regarded individuals,” said Billie Chasen, Art League Houston President. “We are delighted to have two honorees this year who exemplify achievement in both art making and the advancement of contemporary visual art. The quality of their work is complemented by their service to the communities in which they live and work, which is the true spirit of this award.” In 1983 Art League Houston created the Texas Artist of the Year award as a dynamic and informative annual project documenting Texas art history. Through this project, tribute is paid to outstanding members of the visual art community. Twenty-three artists and three patrons have received the award since its inception. Al Souza's work has been shown nationally and internationally in museums and galleries and featured in numerous one person exhibitions. He has received many grants, awards and residencies including two NEA Visual Art Fellowships and the Marie Walsh Sharpe Art Foundation and Ucross Foundation Grants. His work is represented in corporate, individual and museum collections nationally and internationally. He has been Professor of Painting at the University of Houston since 1992. Born in Plymouth, Massachusetts, he has lived and worked in Texas since 1970. Clint Willour is an art curator, collector, administrator and philanthropist. He has curated hundreds of original exhibitions and turned the Galveston Arts Center into a premier venue to see the best of the region’s artists. Over 25 years he has gifted over 1,000 artworks to the Museum of Fine Arts Houston valued at 1.2 million dollars and volunteered his time to numerous institutions as a board member, panelist, juror or advisor. Born in Shelton, Washington, he has lived and worked in Texas since 1970.
“The vitality that Al Souza and Clint Willour have brought to contemporary art in Texas was a key reason they were selected,” said Debbie McNulty, Art League Houston Executive Director. “We are committed to making participation in contemporary visual art available to our community through our exhibitions and art classes. I can’t think of a better way to inspire people and families into participation than by paying tribute to the talent and generosity of these two honorees.” As Texas Artist of the Year, Al Souza will be featured in an exhibition at Art League Houston this September in partnership with the Galveston Arts Center and Moody Gallery. And for the first time in the history of the award, Texas Patron of the Year, Clint Willour will curate an exhibition at Art League Houston in July. Both awardees will be celebrated at the annual gala which will be held in their honor in October. About Art League Houston Art League Houston cultivates awareness, appreciation and accessibility of contemporary visual art within the community for its cultural enrichment. For 58 years Art League Houston has served the greater Houston region through exhibition, education and community outreach programs. To find out more about Art League Houston or the Texas Artist of the Year Award visit: www.artleaguehouston.org. About Inversion -> Conversion Art League Houston is in the midst of a capital campaign to raise $1 Million to build a new Art League Houston School, to improve the exterior site and existing gallery, and to begin an endowment. Located on Montrose Boulevard, the new school will offer more space for educational and outreach programs. The 6,000 square-foot contemporary building will also include an area that will be leased to house a coffee shop. Art League Houston is a 501(c)(3) charitable, nonprofit corporation. Contributions to Art League Houston are tax deductible to the extent allowable by law. ###