I’m glad to share that my work for the 2025 Frontier Texas Annual Report received two Bronze Bulbs at Dallas Show 57, presented by the Dallas Society of Visual Communications. The Annual Report was recognized for Publication Design, and my portrait of Chief Broken Eagle received a second Bulb for Photography.
The Dallas Show is one I have respected for a long time. It brings together some of the best creative work being produced in Dallas and beyond, with judging by creative professionals from across the country.
A Bulb is also a little different from a traditional Gold, Silver and Bronze competition. Bronze does not mean third place. Work is first selected for inclusion in the Dallas Show, then the judges decide which entries deserve a Gold, Silver or Bronze Bulb based on the quality of the work. Not every piece selected for the show receives one.
I have been fortunate to bring home Bulbs before. RANGE Magazine, created with the Southwest Airlines Pilots’ Association, was recognized in 2013. In 2016, Lights Magazine, created for Corporate Magic, received a Gold Bulb and Best in Show.
Ten years later, it is good to return with work created for Frontier Texas. RANGE, Lights and the Frontier Texas Annual Report come from different periods in my career. In each case, I was given good material and the freedom to find the right way to present it.
The Frontier Texas Annual Report gave me the opportunity to combine two things I care a great deal about, editorial design and photography. It also gave me another opportunity to work with reenactors who spend an incredible amount of their own time researching the people they portray.
One of those people is Ray Hernandez, who portrays Chief Broken Eagle. I photographed Ray during a living history event at Fort Griffin State Historic Site. That portrait became an important part of the Annual Report and ultimately received the Photography Bulb at the Dallas Show.
I believe this kind of work is important to heritage tourism. A good photograph can get someone interested in a person they have never heard of. That interest can lead them to a museum or historic site where they can learn the rest of the story. Reenactors such as Ray help make that history accessible once people get there.
I appreciate the Dallas Show judges for recognizing the work. I am also glad the recognition brings some additional attention to Frontier Texas, Ray Hernandez and the people who put their time into preserving and sharing Texas history.
2026 Dallas Show 57
Bronze Bulb
Publication Design
2025 Frontier Texas Annual Report
Frontier Texas
Troy Myatt, Designer and Photographer
Bronze Bulb
Photography
Chief Broken Eagle
Frontier Texas
Troy Myatt, Photographer