The new medal features an organic, hand-carved Texas Lone Star.
A luxurious silk, taffeta neck ribbon compliments the new medal.
The Pentagram team explored over 25 different designs over three years.
One design concept involved a 3D Texas star.
The gold star was divided into abstract chunks.
Each honoree was to wear a different segment of the whole star.
Pentagram Austin designed the identity for the Texas Cultural Trust in 2020.
Another medal concept featured the distinctive letter “X” icon of the TCT logo.
The TCT specific medal idea was a finalist.
Sculptor James Surls, "The Paul Bunyan of the Piney Woods,” in a 70s era photo.
A large Surls sculpture in his legendary Splendora studio.
An example of the flower petal abstractions that are a Surls trademark.
Artist James Surls at his Colorado studio in 2018. Photo by Ben Rasmussen for Texas Monthly.
Hand-crafted parts for the medal by Surls.
CAD rendering of the front of the new medal design.
CAD rendering of the profile of the new medal.
Previous design of the TMAA medal.
The reimagined TMAA medal.
Artist Deborah Roberts.
Architects Juan Miro and Miguel Rivera.
Balet Dancer Septime Webre.
Film Producer Taylor Sheridan.
Honorees and Texas Cultural Trust Board Members at the gala.
Christopher Cross and former honoree Ray Benson (Asleep at the Wheel) perform at the gala.
DJ Stout and Luke Wilson show off the new medal.
