Canyon — Visitors are now able to see scenes from a host of state parks around Texas, as shared via art displayed on gallery walls. In honor of the Centennial Celebration of Texas State Parks, the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum (PPHM) in Canyon is displaying a new traveling art exhibit, now through Feb. 18.

“Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum is thrilled to host the Art of the State Parks exhibit. It’s an honor to help celebrate 100 years of Texas State Parks through artistic representations of the state’s diverse landscapes. PPHM and the regional State Parks — Palo Duro Canyon and Caprock Canyons — have a long relationship, and it’s fitting that we join in the celebration, “said PPHM Director Dr. Andrew Hay in a news release.

“The Art of Texas State Parks” is a visual arts survey of state parks, featuring more than 30 locations as depicted by some of Texas’ finest artists. Along with the traveling exhibit is a commemorative book published by Texas A&M Press.

Proceeds from book sales and the sale of the artwork through Foltz Fine Art in Houston will be donated to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation to benefit Texas State Parks at the conclusion of the exhibition run.

In anticipation of the 2023 Centennial Celebration of Texas State Parks, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation collaborated with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), the Meadows Center for Water and the Environment at Texas State University, and the Bullock Texas State History Museum to present “The Art of Texas State Parks.” Thirty artists were commissioned to create works celebrating parks across Texas.

PPHM was selected as a stop for this traveling exhibition since it is partners and located near Palo Duro Canyon, the most visited state park, according to the release.

“We have been thrilled at the response to this year-long centennial celebration of our parks, and hope that in displaying these extraordinary pieces, visitors will be inspired to get out, and enjoy and explore the stunning natural landscapes we’re fortunate to have right in our backyards,” said TPWD Executive Director David Yoskowitz, Ph.D. “We are grateful for the collaboration that is bringing ‘The Art of Texas State Parks’ to museums across Texas, spreading the message about these natural treasures that belong to us all.”

The exhibit is intended to increase public awareness of Texas parklands and heighten their popular appeal through the elegant and inspired works of Texas’ best contemporary painters, the release says, noting that while the national park system has benefitted from their chroniclers in art, no such artistic record has yet been undertaken for state parks.

Earlier this year, PPHM created its own homage to Palo Duro Canyon State Park with the exhibition “On the Edge of the Plains,” which runs concurrently with this exhibition to show off the beauty of the parks.

“’Art of Texas State Parks’ is a statewide celebration, and the exhibition is as diverse as the state parks themselves. With works representing Palo Duro Canyon, the most visited park in the state, Abilene, Caprock Canyon, Copper Breaks, and Fort Richardson State Parks, the exhibition will highlight the unique beauty of our area. Art of Texas State Parks is truly a once in a life-time opportunity to explore the diverse geography and sublime natural landscapes of Texas,” said PPHM Curator of Art, Deana Craighead.

Participating artists include: Randy Bacon (Abilene); Mary Baxter (Marfa); David Caton (Utopia); Charles Criner (Houston); Margie Crisp (Elgin); Ric Dentinger (San Antonio/Santa Fe NM); Fidencio Duran (Austin); Janet Eager Krueger (Encinal); Joel Edwards (Waco); Malou Flato (Austin); Gordon Fowler (Austin); Pat Gabriel (Fort Worth); David Griffin (Lubbock/ Dallas); Brian Grimm (Fredericksburg); Clemente Guzman (San Antonio); Karl E. Hall (Houston); John Austin Hanna (Fredericksburg); Billy Hassell (Fort Worth); Hailey Herrera (Bryan); Lee Jamison (Huntsville); Denise Mahlke (Whitehouse); Jim Malone (Fort Worth); Talmage Minter (Waco); William Montgomery (Elgin); Kermit Oliver (Waco); Noe Perez (Corpus Christi); Jeri Salter (Hutto); Jim Stoker (San Antonio); Bob Stuth-Wade (Dublin); and Terri Wells (Austin).

After its run at PPHM from Oct. 27 through Feb. 18, the exhibit will then move to Stark Galleries at Texas A&M University in College Station (March 21-May 26), The Old Jail Museum in Albany (June 8-Aug. 31) and the Tyler Museum of Art in Tyler (Sept. 22-Jan. 5, 2025).

The commemorative book is available online through several sources, including Texas A&M Press and Amazon.