An Artistic Thank You

On RPAC's 50th anniversary, pointed recognition for major investors.

artist Phil Hansen with his finished drawing

The 10-foot-high ink drawing of the National Association of REALTORS®’ Washington, D.C., building, commissioned this year to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the REALTORS® Political Action Committee, captures the dynamism of the environmentally conscious, triangular building and its environs in eye-catching detail. But on closer study, the painstaking composition reveals something even more remarkable: The linework consists entirely of the names of nearly 10,000 RPAC major investors.

Minnesota-based artist Phil Hansen spent three months penning the names of the 2018 donors into the image, which he unveiled during a presentation at the REALTORS® Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo in May. Tracy Kasper, NAR’s 2019 vice president of advocacy, proposed the idea of the drawing to her colleagues on NAR’s Leadership Team after seeing Hansen’s passion for pointillism on display at another real estate conference last fall.

Hansen has shepherded a successful career as an artist even after developing a tremor in his drawing hand. He says the piece reflects virtues important in all walks of life including real estate: patience and strength. “Limitations can become passageways to creativity,” says Hansen, referring to his physical setback. “When we invite ourselves to see limitations as opportunities, we can recraft our future.”

Download the image at realtorparty.realtor/rpac50#art.