NOTE TO JOURNALISTS: A photo is available at http://www.uh.edu/media/nr/2004/12dec/
122104munsonccard.html. High-resolution versions are available
by contacting Marisa Ramirez.
MS. MUNSON GOES TO WASHINGTON
UH Alum Designs Invitation Card for All White House Holiday Parties
HOUSTON, Dec. 20, 2005—When the president sends invitations
to this year’s holiday festivities at the White House there
will be a University of Houston connection. Noted artist and UH
alumna Ruth Munson created the image of the Marine Band that adorns
the official invitation to all White House holiday parties.
“Laura Bush saw my work and liked it very much,” said
Munson. “When the White House decided that the theme this
year would be ‘music’ they thought the Marine Band picture
would be appropriate.”
Munson’s piece, “The President’s Own,”
features a Marine Band conductor leading musicians amid snow flocked
Christmas trees at the North Entrance of the White House. She created
it especially for the White House holiday festivities. Munson is
an accomplished portrait artist whose clients include Texas legends
Nolan Ryan and Bob Bullock. She is currently completing a portrait
of playwright Horton Foote. Her work earned her a trip to one of
the White House holiday parties where first lady Laura Bush introduced
her to the president.
“I can’t remember a time when I didn’t draw
or paint. I didn’t have a choice. It was just me,” said
Munson.
Munson graduated from UH in the 1960’s after studying art
and drawing under the guidance of acclaimed artist Robert Joy. She
teaches private art classes in Houston when she is not painting
portraits. Her White House holiday invitation has earned her a fair
amount of celebrity in her hometown, but she takes it all in stride.
“I’m surprised, really,” said Munson. “I
try not to pay too much attention to it. What I like best is that
I did it. I worked very hard and I achieved it.”
About the University of Houston
The University of Houston, Texas’ premier metropolitan research
and teaching institution, is home to more than 40 research centers
and institutes and sponsors more than 300 partnerships with corporate,
civic and governmental entities. UH, the most diverse research university
in the country, stands at the forefront of education, research and
service with more than 35,000 students.
For more information about UH visit the universitys Newsroom at www.uh.edu/admin/media/newsroom.
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