[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 82 (Friday, May 18, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E683-E684]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           IN RECOGNITION OF THE GREATER DENTON ARTS COUNCIL

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                        HON. MICHAEL C. BURGESS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 18, 2018

  Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Greater 
Denton Arts Council as it celebrates its 50th Anniversary as the home 
for Denton's artists and community organizations.

[[Page E684]]

   The Greater Denton Arts Council traces its roots back to 1967, when 
the Denton Chamber of Commerce formed a Fine Arts and Cultural Affairs 
Committee to demonstrate its support of the arts. In 1969, this 
committee became an independent entity and renamed itself the Greater 
Denton Arts Council (GDAC), becoming the umbrella organization for area 
arts, cultural and educational entities.
   To address the need for a permanent arts facility in Denton, an ad 
hoc committee began planning in 1973 to reach that goal. A lease was 
finally negotiated by the GDAC in 1981 to convert several existing 
industrial buildings located at the southwest corner of East Hickory 
St. and South Bell Ave. Renovations began in 1984 to convert the 
warehouse located at the southwest corner of the intersection into what 
would become the Center for the Visual Arts (CVA). The CVA opened to 
the public with its first art exhibition in the Meadows Gallery. In 
2014, the CVA was subsequently renamed the Patterson-Appleton Arts 
Center.
   The GDAC also renovated the Campus Theatre building in the 1990s, 
converting the 1,200 seat movie house into a 300 seat live theatre and 
performance venue. In doing so, the GDAC preserved the unique late-deco 
design features of the structure and established a suitable local venue 
to support performing organizations.
   In the decades since its inception, GDAC venues have provided local 
Denton County audiences with high-quality permanent and temporary 
exhibitions for local and national artists. Additionally, the GDAC has 
served as an umbrella organization for collaborative efforts with area 
universities, the Denton Independent School District and the City of 
Denton, including programs such as the ``Get Started with the Arts'' 
program to introduce Denton elementary students to classical music, 
visual arts, professional theater, ballet and opera.
   GDAC has been an integral part of the annual Congressional Art 
Contest since 2003, serving as host of the annual High School Art 
Contest for the 26th District of Texas. Each year the GDAC has staged 
the exhibition and hosted the recognition reception for hundreds of 
North Texas students, their parents, and teachers following this 
professionally-judged contest.
   As the GDAC meets for the presentation of the Community Arts 
Recognition Award (CARA) to this year's recipients, I extend my deepest 
appreciation on behalf of the constituents of the 26th District of 
Texas. The commitments of those recognized this year, along with the 
past and future honorees, are well-deserved for their role in support 
of educational and cultural mission of GDAC and the artistic and 
cultural presence that makes Denton, Texas such a unique place to call 
home.

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