Anthony 'Tony' Motto selected as Woodlands Online's 2014 'Person of the Year'

THE WOODLANDS, Texas -- As the year 2014 comes to a close, we reflect on the moments and events that enriched our lives and contributed significantly to our community. People make this happen. People with a vision, energy, and passion. There is one who served to make 2014 a better year for all, in fact, whose legacy spans several years of improving The Woodlands. In the same spirit as CNN’s Heroes, the Kennedy Center Honors, and Time Magazine’s “Person of the Year,” Digital Texas and Woodlands Online are proud to announce their 2014 and first ever choice for Woodlands Online’s “Person of the Year” is...Anthony “Tony” Motto.

Truly a Renaissance man, this multi-talented individual was the ultimate multi-tasker. Motto had a passion for the arts and everything art related. His love of The Woodlands' wonderful collection of outdoor sculptures, the largest collection in the world for a community the size of The Woodlands, led him to proclaim himself as the unofficial ambassador to The Woodlands outdoor sculpture collection. He took it upon himself learn about each piece and its sculptor, oversee their maintenance, take people on tours to cultivate an interest in the collection, and even wrote a book about the collection as a loving tribute.

Motto left the corporate environment to teach art in the educational system, and in fact, his book, The Woodlands Outdoor Sculptures, was intended to be a textbook for art teachers, to aid in cultivating an interest in the collection.

“We’re just stewards of the arts and this wonderful sculpture collection. We have to prepare the next generation to take over the responsibility and care for it, and have the desire to do so,” said Motto on one occasion. “I felt it was important to introduce kids to art, so that they would grow up with an appreciation for it.”

Motto was responsible for establishing the Greater Woodlands Public Art Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, for the collection of donations to maintain and restore the sculptures, and continue to add to the collection.

Anything pertinent to sculptures Tony took under his wing, and one special project was the veterans memorial project slated for Town Green Park. He was instrumental in getting the fundraising ball rolling to build the life-size scale model, “The Way Home,” sculpted by nationally-acclaimed artist, Edd Hayes, of Spring, Texas. The sculpture will depict two south Montgomery natives, Cory Kosters and Zachary Endsley, who knew each other and died months apart in Iraq and Afghanistan in 2007. The memorial tribute will honor all branches of the military service and those who have served. Tony was this project's most ardent supporter.

Of particular importance to Tony, was introducing art to the masses. This he did for years with the annual Artist Expo. For the thousands who participated in the event over the years, Motto certainly achieved his objective. The scope of the event was broadened when the Lone Star Art Guild was invited to participate, presenting their 2013 and 2014 Annual Convention and Art Exhibitions in conjunction with the Artist Expo in The Woodlands.

As if that wasn't enough, Motto was both a member and past president of The Woodlands Kiwanis Club, and also of The Woodlands Area Chamber of Commerce, a valued member of their Diplomat Team.

It is not the intention of Digital Texas/Woodlands Online that this honor be awarded annually posthumously, but regrettably, the inaugural award will be. For his numerous contributions to The Woodlands community in 2014, and taking into consideration his body of work prior to this year, we’re proud to announce that our 2014 and inaugural Woodlands Online’s “Person of the Year” is Anthony “Tony” Motto.