My office was honored to host Grammy Award winning recording artist and Texas history buff, Phil Collins, for a private viewing of the William B. Travis “Victory or Death” Letter. Collins, an avid collector of Alamo memorabilia, also had the chance to view other treasured items in the TSLAC collection including the William Travis family Bible and correspondence sent by Travis prior to the drafting of his famed letter. I had the chance to sit down with Collins to ask him about his love of Texas history and the importance of the kind of work that archives do to ensure future generations have access to our shared past.
Category: History
Texans’ Struggle for Freedom and Equality
Video I produced for the Texas State Library and Archives Commission’s latest exhibit, Texans’ Struggle for Freedom and Equality which offers visitors the opportunity to view documents and images integral to Texas’ social history, illustrating the heroic efforts of early Texas settlers, the consequences of Indian and Mexican conflicts, demands for civil rights for African-Americans and Tejanos and the campaign for women’s suffrage.
2013-2014 Texas State Library and Archives Biennial Report
The 2013-2014 TSLAC Biennial Report comprises highlights of data presented in a graphical form from the most recent two years of operation of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission. The data includes information from the Texas State Library, Texas State Archive, Library Development and Networking Services and Texas Talking Book Program. The design falls directly in line with the new graphic standards I have implemented at the agency as Communications Officer.
Texas State Library and Archives Commission Logo Redesign
As Communications officer of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission, I recently took on the task of re-designing and re-branding the image of the agency. The mission of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission is to safeguard significant resources, provide information services that inspire and support research, education and reading, and enhance the capacity for achievement of current and future generations. The new logo incorporates our iconic deco-style building into three options of a logo that is now used on all agency collateral, letterhead and external media.
Texas in Focus Promotional Video
Promotional video written, produced and edited for the Texas State Library and Archives Commission’s latest exhibit, Texas in Focus, Early Photography from the State Archives.
Capitol City Cinema
Logo created for Capitol City Cinema, an independent, community funded cinema in Jefferson City, MO. The community funded project will bring art house style films to central Missouri, paired alongside mouthwatering offerings from Capitol City Cork.
The logo features a graphic portrayal of Jefferson City’s Capitol dome ( construction was completed in 1917- USA Today touted MO’s Capitol building as the most beautiful in all 50 states! ). The focal point of the logo features a film reel, the monochromatic scheme is a nod to the glamour of classic film, whose medium was really beginning to take a silent hold during the construction of the city’s Capitol.
Overhead Projectors are Fun
1 overhead projector equals countless hours of shadow puppet fun. Just ask goose, moose, dinosaur and Abe Lincoln.
Chilling With Chuck
While serving as the Social Media Manager for the 2013 St. Louis Arts Awards, I was lucky enough to visit back stage with legendary rock and roll icon, Chuck Berry. Above are images of the father of rock and roll prior to receiving his award for lifetime achievement in the arts.
“Tintype/Daguerreotype” Civil War Era Prints mark the 150th Anniversary of the Battle of Shiloh
Digital photographs manipulated in the style of 1860s tintype/daguerreotype prints. These photographs were taken as part of a commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Shiloh in 2012. The full set can be seen by visiting the Missouri State Archives.
Arts and Education Council of St. Louis 50 Year Timeline
Timeline designed to celebrate the Arts and Education Council’s 50th Anniversary featuring highlights from the arts in St. Louis from the past 50 years. Since 1963, A&E has raised over $100 million in support of arts and arts education organizations. The banner above is due to travel to selected arts institutions throughout the St. Louis region in 2013. Poster sized copies of the timeline were printed and gifted as keepsake momentos to select donors durring the 2013 St. Louis Arts Awards.
Stephen Siwinski 
