The “Langdon Review of Arts in Texas” began ten years ago as an annual review of cultural accomplishments throughout the state of Texas. In the years since its first publication, it has grown to include the works of artists from other states as well.

Tarleton State University’s own Dr. Marilyn Robitaille and Dr. Moumin Quazi work to make the Langdon Review and the Langdon Review Festival in Granbury an annual event that authors, poets, photographers, dancers, musicians, and directors want to attend.

Dominique Inges, a beneficiary and Distinguished Friend of Tarleton and of the Langdon Review, remarked on one of the major features of the Review that makes it so unique.

“Although there are many different journals and reviews published in Texas, they are often only single disciplinary,” Inges said. “Having a review that is multi-disciplinary helps to broaden the scopes of the people involved with the publication and the scopes of the people who gather for the festival.”

Many of the people who gather for the four day festival to celebrate another year of artistic accomplishment learn of the event through word-of-mouth. Four days are dedicated to showcasing the work of artists from across the southwestern region.

Time is also given to allow artists and other festival-goers to visit. Lunches, receptions and informal unplanned dinners become the scenes for the artists in attendance to renew the friendships the Langdon Review has created over the years.

The evening of Thursday, Sept. 5 saw a huge a gathering of authors, photographers, doctors, and four of Texas’ poets laureate.

After a day of listening to various artists present examples of their work, hunger and camaraderie led to a gathering of artists in one of Granbury’s restaurants. Allen Briklebach, the 2005 Texas poet laureate, spoke of writers,”being mostly solitary individuals, but this conference changes that. The Review has taken the distance away from being able to communicate and have friendships with others who have the same passion.”

Larry Thomas, the 2008 Texas poet laureate was quick to add that for many of the writers in attendance, the Langdon Review Festival was one of the only opportunities within busy schedules for maintaining important and valuable friendships. The opportunities and experiences presented by the Langdon Review and the Langdon Review Festival are what Karla Morton believes set her, “on the road to becoming the 2010 Texas poet laureate.”

While the festival hosts a large number of writers, other forms of art are showcased over the four days. Music, photography, film, acting, dance and television expositions all help to make the Langdon Review Festival a unique event that artists across the state enjoy year after year.

Dr. Robitaille and Dr. Quazi work diligently to make each event interesting for the people who will gather for it. This year’s events closed off with a tap dance performance accompanied by piano, and a visit from Chet Garner, the host of PBS’ “The Daytripper.”

The Langdon Review and the Langdon Review Festival have been going strong for ten years now, and looks like it will remain a popular stop on many artists’ travels for years to come.