George W. Bush's new portraits of 43 immigrants include famous faces and everyday heroes

Five things you didn't know about George W. Bush

George W. Bush is back on the canvas. On Tuesday, April 20, the former U.S. president, a self-described "simple painter," unveiled 43 new portraits of inspiring immigrants at the George W. Bush Presidential Center at Southern Methodist University in Dallas.

"Out of Many, One: Portraits of America's Immigrants" is a special, limited-time exhibit that includes portraits of sports stars, politicians, CEOs, and everyday heroes whom Bush painted to "remind us of the countless ways in which America has been strengthened by those who have come here in search of a better life," he says in a statement. The exhibition coincides with the April 20 release of Bush's new book, Out of Many, One: Portraits of America's Immigrants (Crown, $38).

Retired Dallas Mavs star Dirk Nowitzki's portrait and immigration story are featured in the new book. Photo courtesy of George W. Bush Presidential Center.none

George W. Bush paints portraits for Out of Many, One. Photo by C.A. Smith Photography.none

Out of Many, One will be released April 20. Photo courtesy of George W. Bush Presidential Center.none

Golf star Annika Sorenstam's portrait by George W. Bush. Photo courtesy of George W. Bush Presidential Center.none

Royam Mahboob came to the U.S. to escape the Taliban. Photo courtesy of George W. Bush Presidential Center.none

Gilbert Tuhabonye survived genocide in Barundi and became a professional runner, who now lives in Austin. Photo courtesy of George W. Bush Presidential Center.none

One of the most recognizable faces to Texans will be Dallas Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki, who came to Dallas from Germany to play in the NBA in 1998. He reportedly began the process of becoming a U.S. citizen after he retired in 2019. His portrait appears on the cover of the book, and an accompanying story describes his journey:

As a 7 foot tall 20-year-old from Germany, Nowitzki arrived in Dallas and began learning the challenges that come with starting a new life in a foreign land - and about high expectations from basketball fans. But by the end of his career, Dirk was so beloved that the city named a street after him not because he's one of best players in NBA history, but because of how much he's given back to his adopted home.

To read about the other immigrants featured in Bush's portraits, visit our partners at Houston CultureMap.

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