History of Lakeway's Arts Committee

A brief history of the Arts Committee, revised by Janet Wright. Click here to see the full document.

  • December 20, 1999:  Arts Committee established by Resolution No. 99-12-20-4, signed by Mayor Charles Edwards.
  • January 2000:  Committee members (9) were appointed by the Mayor, with George Blume as Chairman.
  • May 21, 2000:  First concert:  A Gershwin program with a singer and pianist. 
  • 2000: Requested funding for Boston Baby Grand Piano by Steinway; granted by Lakeway Civic Corporation
  • May 2000:  George Blume was elected to the City Council; Fred Newton was appointed Chairman.
  • January & February 2001:  Brown Bag Luncheon Concerts began.
  • 2001: Lakeway Activity Center stage extension funded
  • April 2002:  First City Purchase Award, acquiring Janet Campbell’s “Lake Travis Marina” watercolor at the Lake Travis Arts League’s Bluebonnet Bash.  
  • September 2002: Annual Lakeway Photo Festival initiated.
  • 2003: First theater production introduced – Train to Nibroc
  • 2004: Art in Public Places Program (master plan by Janet Wright)
  • May 2005:  Fred Newton resigned (to be a caregiver for his wife) and Janet Wright was appointed Chair.  
  • 2005: Summer Concerts in the Park introduced; not pursued.
  • Nov 2005: Veteran’s Tribute – 1940’s USO-style event with the Lucky Strikes and Lindy Hop Dancers initiated in collaboration with Operation Interdependence, a Civilian-to-Military Delivery System
  • March 2006: Texas Independence Day Celebration initiated with 2-time Grammy Winner Floyd Domino
  • August 2006: Annual one-hour multimedia theater productions begin. 
  • 2009:  Fred Newton rejoins the committee.
  • September 2009:  Lakeway’s Big Band Bash begins. 
  • 2013:  Janet Wright resigns to focus on her architectural & landscape design business.  Fred Newton is appointed Chairman.  The “Beautification” element is dropped—back to visual and performing arts functions only.
  • August 2014:  First “Cool Arts Party”.
  • 2014:  “Lakeway in Motion” program began, acquiring kinetic sculptures for street displays.  The program was concluded in 2017.
  • April 2015:  Portfolio of Lakeway’s Fine Art Collection distributed to Mayor and City Council and placed on display at the Activity
  • well as main road entrances and intersections on Lakeway Blvd and Lohman’s Crossing.
  • 2005: Summer Concerts in the Park introduced; not pursued.
  • Nov 2005: Veteran’s Tribute – 1940’s USO-style event with the Lucky Strikes and Lindy Hop Dancers initiated in collaboration with Operation Interdependence, a Civilian-to-Military Delivery System
  • March 2006: Texas Independence Day Celebration initiated with 2-time Grammy Winner Floyd Domino
  • August 2006: Annual one-hour multimedia theater productions begin.
  • 2009:  Fred Newton rejoins the committee.
  • September 2009:  Lakeway’s Big Band Bash begins. 
  • 2013:  Janet Wright resigns to focus on her architectural & landscape design business.  
  • August 2014:  First “Cool Arts Party”.
  • 2014:  “Lakeway in Motion” program began, acquiring kinetic sculptures for street displays.  The program was concluded in 2017.
  • April 2015:  Portfolio of Lakeway’s Fine Art Collection distributed to Mayor and City Council and placed on display at the Activity Center and City Hall.