Have you ever felt super excited about two different things? So did Ernie Barnes. In this story, young Ernie feels different from kids his age, so he takes refuge in his art. But, trying to fit in, he joins the school football team, and that leads him to a professional football career! But Ernie never loses his passion for art. Come join Don Tate as he discusses the incredible true story of Ernie Barnes, who never lost sight of himself and kept chasing his dreams.

Seats at Symphony Square are limited and registration is required through the in-person link above.

• Format: This is a live, in-person event at Symphony Square in downtown Austin. Seats are limited and registration is required through the in-person link above.
• Code of Conduct: Please refer to the code of conduct prior to attending in-person events.
• Book(s): Click the book cover(s) below to purchase through BookPeople, Texas Book Festival’s partner bookseller. Your purchase helps support the author(s), independent bookselling, and the Texas Book Festival. Thank you.

Don Tate, Pigskins to Paintbrushes: The Story of Football-Playing Artist Ernie Barnes