While a current LEAP Ambassador enjoyed six days in Austin as part of the New Leadership Texas program, two recent graduates were spending days in San Antonio as elected delegates to the State Republican Convention.
For those who have never been to a state convention, it’s an experience. While many delegates meet on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday to attend committee meetings, most of the rank-and-file delegates show up on Thursday to participate in votes, listen to speeches by the state’s leading public figures, and to enjoy special events hosted by the party and its leaders.
For Karla Rosales and Christina Perez, it was an opportunity to move into leadership positions. Karla, who was making her second appearance as a delegate, was appointed delegate counter for Walker County, at least for the first day. For Christina, a first-time delegate, it was a chance to make new connections, learn about the process, and do some work for her new boss, Congressman Kevin Brady, at his Saturday “Kolaches with Kevin” event.
The official business began on Thursday, June 14, when delegates met in General Session for a “get-acquainted session,” but also to hear speeches from the two candidates for State Party Chair: (1) the incumbent James Dickey and (2) challenger Cindy Asche. Both spoke in the general session, asking for votes and laying out a vision.
When the general session convened, delegates headed to rooms sorted by Senatorial District. Walker County delegates headed to Senate District 5–a district more or less controlled by the populous Williamson County–where business was tended to.
The business included electing permanent officers for our senate district meetings; and electing members to the credentials, rules, platform, legislative priorities, and state nominations committees. When these positions were contested, they involved taking votes, and Karla had a chance to perform her duties as “vote counter.”
During this process, the Senate District voted in Walker County’s own Madeline Loosier as a member of the Legislative Priorities committee.
This “get-acquainted” day ended early, leaving delegates the opportunity to attend various social events or to do their own thing. For Karla and Christina, this involved heading to the McNay Art Museum in San Antonio, where much fun was had.
One of the key exhibits was “Immersed,” which included four artists–including Andy Warhol’s film “Sunset”–whose work involved immersing yourself in the experience of art. The first of these, “Pleasure Principle,” by Chris Sauter, was quite an experience, with odd lights shining through holes in a “home” that was unusually decorated.
Perhaps the most fun of the installations was Phillip Worthington’s “Shadow Monsters,” which allowed visitors to be part of the art. Visitors stood in front of a light, which transmogrified the visitor’s appearance, while also allowing them the opportunity to access numerous props, which were similar transmogrified by the screen.
Also intriguing was Yayoi Kusama’s…
… “Aftermath of Obliteration of Eternity,” a hall of mirrors type installation, which also included lighting effects.
This was another of our favorites, and was doubly interesting because we had seen a similar work by this artist at the Phoenix Art Museum.
Our least favorite was “Sunset,” by Andy Warhol, which was a 33-minute abstract-like film of a sunset.
In the midst of these installations were fun interactive “art” games that we quickly jumped into, while also branding LEAP at the McNay.
The McNay isn’t as large as the major museums in Dallas or Houston, but it has a very nice collection, with a smattering of works across diverse times and regions. There were 19th century European masters such as Van Gogh…
…Monet…
…Cezanne…
Plus, much modern and contemporary art, such as Picasso…
…Pollock (far left, below)…
…OKeeffe (center, above; and below)…
…Alexander Calder…
…Louise Nevelson…
…Sally Skoglund…
…Donald Judd…
…Robert Indiana…
…and SHSU alum Danville Chadburne.
Their sculpture garden is smallish, but has a very nice collection of artists such as Lois Jimenez…
…the aforementioned Robert Indiana…
…and Joel Shapiro….
It was a fun start to the convention and site-seeing, and a nice way to mix art and politics.
Center for Law, Engagement, and Politics 