The arts continue to put Abilene on the map in a big way! The latest news is sure to garner the city national attention.
Last week, Mayor Anthony Williams announced that Abilene had received the official title of “Storybook Capital of America” from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The city was already the official Storybook Capital of Texas thanks to the 84th Texas Legislature. The new designation reflects the growing interest in the city’s arts efforts, including the annual Children’s Art & Literacy Festival that drew people from 119 Texas cities and 12 states this year. The festival’s honoree each year is the summer artist on exhibit at the National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature.
The registered trademark was a joint effort between the Abilene Cultural Affairs Council and the Abilene Convention and Visitors Bureau. Part of the registration process includes showing use of the trademark and both groups worked together to put the logo on websites and merchandise and in other places months ahead of time. Our city could not have received this national designation without the efforts of many people, including festival and sculpture sponsors, dedicated board members and staff, hundreds of volunteers, city and civic leaders, support from the Abilene Chamber of Commerce and arts partners that offer fabulous programming year-round.
In the coming months, we will be working hard to spread the word throughout the United States, and we would appreciate any help you might be able be able to provide. If there are instances where it makes sense to include either the Storybook Capital logo on your business’ website or the verbiage that “Abilene is the Storybook Capital of America” in any local, regional or national printed pieces or media we would be very grateful. We want to spread the word that our city is an art-loving and storybook-loving place to live, work and visit.