Work created for Frontier Texas received six honors in the 2026 American Advertising Awards, including three Gold ADDYs and a Judge’s Choice award in Dallas, followed by two Silver ADDYs for photography at the District 10 competition.
The Dallas awards recognized two portraits created for Frontier Texas along with the museum’s 2025 Annual Report. My photograph of reenactor William Reese received Gold in Black & White Single, as did my portrait of Ray Hernandez, who portrays Chief Broken Eagle. The Frontier Texas Annual Report also received Gold, along with a Judge’s Choice award.
Both portraits advanced to the AAF District 10 competition, where each received a Silver ADDY for photography.
The American Advertising Awards are one of the advertising industry’s largest creative competitions, beginning at the local level before advancing to district and national competition. District 10 brings together work from Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana.
For me, the recognition is especially meaningful because of the people and place represented in the work.
William Reese and Ray Hernandez have both devoted time to living history and helping others better understand the people who shaped the Texas frontier. Reenactors bring something to historic interpretation that cannot always be communicated through an artifact or a written account. They give people an opportunity to see the clothing, equipment and character of another period through someone who has taken the time to study it.
I am grateful to AAF Dallas and the District 10 judges for recognizing the work. I am also glad to bring that recognition to Frontier Texas, William Reese and Ray Hernandez, whose commitment to living history gave me the opportunity to create these photographs in the first place.
2026 AAF Dallas Awards
Gold ADDY
Black & White Single
Buffalo Soldier William Reese
Frontier Texas
Troy Myatt, Photographer
Gold ADDY
Black & White Single
Ray Hernandez, Chief Broken Eagle
Frontier Texas
Troy Myatt, Photographer
Gold ADDY
Printed Annual Report
Frontier Texas 25
Frontier Texas
Troy Myatt, Designer and Photographer
Judge’s Choice
Printed Annual Report
Frontier Texas 25
Frontier Texas
Troy Myatt, Designer and Photographer
2026 AAF District 10 Awards
Silver ADDY
Photography
Buffalo Soldier William Reese
Frontier Texas
Troy Myatt, Photographer
Silver ADDY
Photography
Ray Hernandez, Chief Broken Eagle
Frontier Texas
Troy Myatt, Photographer