New Exhibit by George W. Bush Spotlights Dallas, SMU, and Community Life

Former President George W. Bush has discovered new inspiration close to home for his latest collection of artwork.

The 78-year-old, recognized for his portraits of world leaders and American immigrants, has shifted his focus inward with a new collection of 35 oil paintings that capture the daily life and essence of his presidential library and Southern Methodist University (SMU).

The exhibit, “A Shining City on the Hilltop,” was inaugurated on Thursday at the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas. The name pays tribute to SMU's nickname, "The Hilltop," and the late President Ronald Reagan's powerful term, "A shining city on a hill," which sums up the American dream.

“This highlights not only the locations surrounding the SMU campus but also delves into the individuals who embody the essence of this campus and the community,” stated Teresa Lenling, director of the presidential museum. She observed that Bush derived his paintings from photographs captured in and around the campus and center.

After departing from the White House in 2009, President Bush and former First Lady Laura Bush established their residence in Dallas. He started painting a few years later, welcoming the craft as a creative and personal expression.

The new works provide thoughtful and reflective insight into Bush’s relationship with SMU, not merely as a neighbor but as an engaged member of the university’s community and everyday life. The exhibit encourages visitors to experience the campus and its community as seen through the lens of the former president, characterized by brushstrokes rich in familiarity, gratitude, and admiration.

The exhibition has officially opened to the public at the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum, situated on the SMU campus.

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