There were no tuxes or grand gowns on the honorees, and their speeches were as informal as their outfits, but none of that made the induction of the first members in the Austin Arts Hall of Fame any less of an occasion. Seven of the 12 honorees in the first Hall of Fame class were in attendance, and the gathering of talent and commitment to and achievement in the arts represented by those seven would be extraordinary by any measure. Photographer Bret Brookshire captured the speakers as they received the warm applause and ovations of a grateful Austin arts community.
This article appears in June 14 • 2002.