Jackson Sutton captures Director’s Commendation in first-ever Texas Artist of the Year ceremony
As he received his award, Jackson Sutton gave a speech about how much the award meant to him. On receiving the award, Sutton said that this was “a great honor” for him. Photo by Anna McClellan.
Ellen Fox, staff reporter
September 18, 2018
Junior Jackson Sutton was awarded the Director’s Commendation at last Sunday’s inaugural Very Special Artists Texas Artist of the Year Awards ceremony at the Sterling Event Center.
The event featured food, live guitar and vocal performers. The guest of honor included Sutton and the other two honored artists, their families and friends, and supportive community stakeholders.
In addition to Sutton’s award, the VSA recognized Jordana Gerlach with the SPARK Award and Joan Fabian with the Haven Allen Artist of the Year Award.
Sutton has long been known for his artwork. His artwork was featured in a March 2017 cover story in the Shield.
Sutton said that in his art pieces, he likes to make the viewer feel a sense of nostalgia, and he combines other elements from older times and current times to convey this idea. Many of his works are also inspired by Jackson’s early fascination with other cultures and peoples, and he specifically draws a lot from Mayan and Latin American art.
In addition to being a visual artist he is also a poet, linguist, composer, writer and philosopher. You can check out his other works at https://jacksonseyetv.com/.
We are pleased to feature photos from Sunday’s event as this week’s #TuesdayTop10 photo essay. Photos by Ellen Fox, Edward Johnson and Anna McClellan.
Many Creations
Sutton's art is displayed at the event. The exhibit featured some of his favorite pieces. According to the VSA and Sutton's family, the pieces best represent Sutton as an artist. Photo by Ellen Fox.
Words of Wisdom
VSA Texas put these words on display at the Texas Artist of the Year Awards ceremony. The words, which represented their ideals, included "family, respect, moments, artists, commitment and fearless." Photo by Ellen Fox.
EyeTV on AISD TV
Sutton is interviewed by AISD TV. Photo by Edward Johnson.
Received!
Sutton as he receives the award. "I feel so happy right now," Sutton said later at the event. Photo by Edward Johnson.
Standing with the Sculpture
Outside the Sterling Event Center where the award ceremony was held, Jackson Sutton stands in front of the sculpture where he was just interviewed by AISD TV. Photo by Edward Johnson.
"Greed and Envy"
Sutton with one of his pieces, "Greed and Envy." Like many of his pieces, this work deals with separation in society. Photo by Anna McClellan.
Face Says it All
Shortly before Sutton's award was presented, there were many videos shown of his friends and family congratulating Sutton and talking about how much he deserved his award. This was Sutton's face as he heard these messages. Photo by Anna McClellan.
Speaking from the Heart
As he received his award, Sutton gave a speech about how much the award meant to him. On receiving the award, Sutton said that this was "a great honor" for him. Photo by Anna McClellan.
Award Winners
Sutton with the other award winners, Jordana Gerlach (The SPARK Award) for her glasswork, and Joan Fabian (Haven Allen Artist of the Year) for her visual sculpture-painting mixes. Photo by Anna McClellan.
Harrison Wynn • Oct 10, 2018 at 2:40 pm
This is so amazing. It really warms my heart to see somebody get some time in their well deserved spotlight.
sarah • Oct 5, 2018 at 4:13 pm
This is so heartwarming and touching and inspiring . he did good good work!
alba • Oct 5, 2018 at 1:58 pm
This is such a well written, great story. Loved the photos and the actual writing. Captions were really good.