Zoom Enlarge The new medal features an organic, hand-carved Texas Lone Star. The design team began with the goal of not only redesigning the look and feel of the TMAA medal, but reimagining the overall ethos behind awards. Learn more about the project Zoom Enlarge A luxurious silk, taffeta neck ribbon compliments the new medal. Zoom Enlarge Actor Luke Wilson with medal at the TMAA gala. Zoom Enlarge Singer/Songwriter Miranda Lambert. Zoom Enlarge The Pentagram team explored over 25 different designs over three years. Zoom Enlarge One design concept involved a 3D Texas star. Zoom Enlarge The gold star was divided into abstract chunks. Zoom Enlarge Each honoree was to wear a different segment of the whole star. Zoom Enlarge Pentagram Austin designed the identity for the Texas Cultural Trust in 2020. Zoom Enlarge Another medal concept featured the distinctive letter “X” icon of the TCT logo. Zoom Enlarge The TCT specific medal idea was a finalist. After exploring more than twenty-five design directions over three years, the Pentagram team suggested the idea of collaborating with a prominent Texas artist to create the new TMAA medallion. Learn more about the project Zoom Enlarge Sculptor James Surls, "The Paul Bunyan of the Piney Woods,” in a 70s era photo. Zoom Enlarge A large Surls sculpture in his legendary Splendora studio. Zoom Enlarge An example of the flower petal abstractions that are a Surls trademark. Zoom Enlarge Artist James Surls at his Colorado studio in 2018. Photo by Ben Rasmussen for Texas Monthly. Zoom Enlarge Original drawing for the medal by Surls. Zoom Enlarge DJ Stout's sketch. Zoom Enlarge Hand-crafted parts for the medal by Surls. Zoom Enlarge CAD rendering of the front of the new medal design. Zoom Enlarge CAD rendering of the profile of the new medal. Zoom Enlarge Previous design of the TMAA medal. Zoom Enlarge The reimagined TMAA medal. The Pentagram team, working closely with Surls, evolved the original sketch into a three-dimensional, organic star that appears to be lifting off the textured wood-grain background. Learn more about the project Zoom Enlarge Artist Deborah Roberts. Zoom Enlarge Architects Juan Miro and Miguel Rivera. Zoom Enlarge Balet Dancer Septime Webre. Zoom Enlarge Film Producer Taylor Sheridan. Play Front and back of the medals awarded at the 2023 TMAA gala. Zoom Enlarge Honorees and Texas Cultural Trust Board Members at the gala. Zoom Enlarge Musician Christopher Cross. Zoom Enlarge Fashion Designer Lela Rose. Zoom Enlarge Christopher Cross and former honoree Ray Benson (Asleep at the Wheel) perform at the gala. Zoom Enlarge DJ Stout and Luke Wilson show off the new medal.