The Stars of Texas Juried Art Exhibit was conceived in 1999 in order to showcase the newly restored Santa Fe Depot. A "ground-breaking" committee undertook the task of developing a one-week show, in which mostly local artists participated. Chaired by Ann Jones for its first five years, it developed into a two-week exhibit, and under Roger Levesque's chairmanship, the exhibit continued to grow from a local show to a truly regional competition. Ruth Wheelis, Chair for the next two years, was able to increase the number of visitors to the exhibit, such that attendance was over 2400 visitors, including 1100 students from the surrounding schools. Donna Lewis, Chair for last year and again this year, has set some very high goals both for artist participation and visitor attendance.

A new award has been added to this years event thanks to the generousity of Betty Martin.

Sponsors for the Twelfth Art Exhibit are: The Arts Council of Brownwood, The City of Brownwood, Texas, Barr Fabrication LLC, Jane Ellen Jamar, Margaret and Stuart Coleman, The Kohler Company, Betty Martin, Diane and Tommy Winn, Stanley Dodge of Brownwood, and Texas State Optical.