Houston artist wins best of show

Moses Adams took Best of Show and the $200 cash prize with his clay sculpture at the J. Riely Gordon Historical Art Contest in Hallettsville on June 11. Entries in the contest had to address some aspect of Gordon’s life or work. The sculpture, a miniature replica of the Gordon’s Kahn & Stanzel Building where the Gallery is housed, stood out in a field of photographic entries showing various courthouses designed by Gordon. The sculpture was complete with a second story floor inside, plastic windows, and tiny light fixtures on the building’s exterior.

Co-sponsored by the Hallet Oak Gallery and the Texas Society of Architects, the art contest accompanied a two day conference honoring Gordon. Gordon worked during the golden age of Texas architecture, 1880-1930, designing 18 Texas courthouses, along with numerous other buildings. Twelve of Gordon’s courthouses are still in use today.

A retired Houston school teacher, Adams grew up in Hallettsville. The Hallet Oak Gallery will be exhibiting a retrospect of his work and hosting a reception for him every Saturday in July.