|
Join Our List
|
|
|
|
Greetings!
We hope you enjoy this edition of CASETA's E-news. There are several new events and exhibitions featured in this edition, as well as an update on a CASETA project. CASETA has recently welcomed several new members to our Board of Directors: Dr. Harmon Kelley of San Antonio, Margaret Blagg of Albany, Rick Hernandez of Austin and Francine Carraro, Ph.D. of Abilene. We hope you will enjoy learning a little bit about Francine as she has written this month's "Note from the Board".
As always, your input is important to us. Feel free to reply to this email with any comments, suggestions or questions!
|
Note from the Board
|
|
 Greetings from
Francine Carraro,
Board of Directors
I am so pleased to be asked to serve on the Board of
Trustees of CASETA. I am thrilled to be back in Texas as the executive director
of the Grace Museum, and I'm looking forward to reuniting with long-time associates
and friends, meeting new devotees to collecting and studying Texas art, and
communing with "fellow travelers" who are devoted to art in Texas.
As an "expatriate" for the last eight years in Wyoming and
Maine, I was never consciously homesick for Texas, but I came to realized that
Texas - the landscape, climate, people, culture, art, music, food, and myths-is
a part of me. To borrow from the words of Terry Tempest Williams - I belong to
Texas; it informs who I am; the land carries my history, my dreams, and holds
me to a moral line of behavior that transcends thought. Beyond my experience as a museum
professional, my mission as an educator, and my scholarship as an art
historian, I value my Texas roots. I
grew up in Borger, and am the daughter of an independent oil producer who
passed on 35 years ago. I made my career
as an art historian by delving into Texas art, when only a handful of people
were interested in the subject.
Acknowledging my deep connection with Texas and Texas art, it
is certainly gratifying to be associated with CASETA and with the Grace Museum.
Situated in a 100 year old building in the revitalized downtown of Abilene, The
Grace Museum, offers a Children's Museum, a History Museum, and an Art Museum dedicated
to exploring the overarching theme of the Texas experience. There are many
voices, historically and in the present, that define what it means to be
Texan. The Grace is establishing itself
as a forum for discussion and investigation through art exhibitions and
educational programs of critical topics related to the Texas experience of the
past and present through art, history, and culture. We are planning outstanding
exhibitions and programs of interest to CASETA members, and I invite you to
come to the Big Country of Texas to visit the Grace Museum.
Best,
Francine Carraro, Ph.D.
|
|
Note from the Office
|
|
Greetings from 
Program Administrator
Last
month I shared with you about my recent art-related travels around
Texas. Happily, October took me West, to Spring, Texas, the
location of the most recent "HETAG" (Houston Earlier Texas Art Group)
meeting. Bill and Linda Reaves hosted the gathering at their lovely
art-filled home. The Reaves collection is vast and diverse and was an
inspiration to those of us fortunate enough to spend the afternoon with
Bill and Linda. While there, I thoroughly enjoyed both meeting and
recruiting some new CASETA members, and also visiting with some
longtime CASETA supporters. I would welcome the opportunity meet more
of the CASETA's membership and our supporters. Please let me know when
your Texas art group is meeting and I will make every effort to
attend. My recent travels have truly enriched my experience with
CASETA, and for that I am thankful.
|
|
Project Spotlight
|
|
 CASETA Curriculum Project
With the recent development of online modules for each of the CASETA/NTIEVA curriculum units, early Texas art education resources are available at no charge to any teacher or student with access to the Internet.
CASETA Board Member Jack Davis shares the following information about this exciting development:
With a grant from the Texas Education Agency, CASETA contracted with the North
Texas Institute for Educators on the Visual Arts (NTIEVA) at the University of North Texas
in 2005 to develop three prototype instructional units based upon the work of
early Texas
art and artists. Working with an
Advisory Committee from CASETA, the staff at the Institute proposed to develop
three units, one focused on early childhood students, one focused on elementary
school students (K-5) and one focused on middle school students (6-9). The three units were developed around three
big ideas: Texas Skies, Visions
of Texas, and the Dignity of Work. The units provide
teacher information as well as student activities and are coordinated with the
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS).
Texas Skies (Early Childhood): The big idea embracing Texas Skies is that artists can tell a story through universal
human experience. The concepts and ideas
developed in the unit are that (a) artists use color to represent weather
conditions and emotion, (b) the story that an artist tells is based on
observations of the environment and past experience, (c) an individual can make
predictions based upon observation of patterns in the environment, and (d)
color can tell a story about weather conditions and emotion.
Visions of Texas (Kindergarten- 5th Grade): The big idea of Visions of Texas is that early Texas artists observed
their environment carefully and uncovered the remarkable in the ordinary. Artists look at the world with fresh eyes,
then take their unique vision of the world, and create a way to share it. Ordinary people may look at the
characteristics of the land around them and find the plants too prickly, the
water too murky, or the sky too grey to be interesting, but an artist has the
ability to find uncommon beauty in the commonplace. Early Texas artists found beauty in thorny cacti
as well as flowering bluebonnets. The artists of Early Texas preserved the
landscapes of their regions in oil, watercolor, pastel, and print media,
creating a vision of Texas
that will last across state lines and across time. The concepts and ideas
developed in the unit are that (a) artists working in a specific geographic region
can incorporate regional characteristics of the landscape into their vision of
what the land means to them; (b) artists use multiple techniques to create a
sense of depth and distance in their work; (c) observation of one's everyday
surroundings can serve as the inspiration for a meaningful work of art.
Dignity of Work (6th-9th Grade): Early Texas
art recorded the hard work of people who migrated and settled in Texas. Their hard work contributed to their families
and communities, playing a strong role in the development of the state of Texas. The dignity of
hard work was and is still a part of the Texas
mentality. It is prevalent in the history of Texas,
the culture of Texans, and the art that represents the people of Texas. Many works of
early Texas
art preserve the lives and the daily activities of the people they represent.
These works record details of clothing, daily chores, and special events in
their lives. Work is important not only as a contribution to both family and
community, but also as a form of self-worth and a source of self-esteem. This
unit uses the theme of work to explore the role of hard work in settling the Texas frontier, and the
value of work during the Great Depression.
The concepts developed in the unit are that (a) Texas
developed as a result of the hard working people who migrated and settled here;
(b) Texas
attracted people from various cultures in search of work and opportunities for
a better life. (c) art can be used as a primary or secondary resource to
research historic social conditions; and (d) the subject of "work" is portrayed
in Texas art
throughout its history.
Work
included in the units was obtained from both collectors and museums. A limited number of printed copies and CDs
are available from CASETA and from the North Texas Institute for Educators on
the Visual Arts (NTIEVA).
Workshops
have been conducted throughout the state to train teachers to use the units in
their classrooms. The units are
available online in a downloadable format at the NTIEVA website.
With a
grant from the Edward and Betty Marcus Foundation through the New Media
Consortium, during the past year the units were translated into an interactive
computer format using the software Pachyderm. The Pachyderm format allows
teachers and students to engage interactively with the units. These interactive units are also available on
the NTIEVA website.
Reports
are that teachers have enjoyed using the curriculum materials very much and
that they have been a great success with students.
If you have any questions about this project, feel free to contact NTIEVA through their website, or contact CASETA.
|
|
New! Collector Spotlight
|
|
 "Our Little Gallery"
Of Abstract Art In Houston, 1938.
by Randy Tibbits
Last month we premiered the "Collector Spotlight" with an article from Randy Tibbits. If you have not had a chance to check it out, click below to read the article on our website. We will be adding new articles every few months. Contact us if you are interested in sharing an article with our readers.
...to read Randy Tibbits' article click here...
image: Robert Preusser, "Elsewhere" 1938, collection of author
|
| New! CASETA Research Scholarship
|
|
$1,500 Graduate Research Scholarships for New Research on Early Texas Art
CASETA is pleased to announce two $1,500 Graduate Research Scholarships for
students pursuing original research on early Texas art and/or artists. Graduate students in Texas
public and private universities are invited to submit a proposal for an
original / primary research project on early Texas art and/or artists that is endorsed
and supported by a faculty mentor. These
scholarships are for the support of research not yet undertaken[1]
Each scholarship will provide $750 in "up front"
money to be applied toward the completion of the project. Upon completion of the project, the remaining
$750 will be paid. The award can be paid
directly to the recipient or through their institution if the institution
agrees to administer the scholarship. If
desired, each recipient will be linked with an appropriate contact person with
expertise in early Texas art - a curator, a collector, or a scholar who agrees
to work with the recipient and their faculty mentor during the research process
by facilitating contacts and making primary research materials available. Submission deadline is March 1, 2009. Awards will be announced no later than May 15, 2009. Visit CASETA's website for complete details, eligibility requirements and submission information.
[1] Completed research may be submitted for consideration
for CASETA awards. Visit the CASETA website
for a complete description. |
Info for CASETA Members
|
|
New Members-Only Area!
CASETA members can log in to check out the message board and other features. We are currently in the process of adding new features- such as past auction results and an online exhibition- so check back often for new additions!
To join CASETA visit our website at caseta.org.
First Time Log in instructions for CASETA members:
1. Click here or click on the Members-Only tab at caseta.org
2. Select the "forgot password" option and follow instructions *Be sure to enter the email address at which you received this email*
3. Check your email. You should receive an email including your username and a temporary password.
4. Log in to the Members-Only area and change your password in the "My Profile" section.
5. Enjoy the message board. Check back often for updates!
If you have any trouble logging in to the website or receiving your password, please contact cd26@txstate.edu. Be aware that an updated version of your web browser may be required to utilize all website functions.
|
Early Texas Art Across the State
|
|
Current Lectures, Exhibits and Events
We know that our list is not complete, so please help CASETA keep its members in the loop!
If you are aware of any current or upcoming early Texas art exhibitions or events, please email information to cd26@txstate.edu.
Early Texas Art Exhibitions
Bluebonnets and Beyond: Julian Onderdonk, American Impressionist
September 19 - January 11
Witte Museum
San Antonio, Texas
Founders of Houston Art, Thirty Artists Who Let the Way
November 1- November 29
Gallery Talk 2-4pm, Saturday, November 29
William Reaves Fine Art
Houston, Texas
VISIONING BEAUTY: An Ella K. Mewhinney Retrospective
|
|
|
Save the Date!
|
|
2009 CASETA Symposium on Early Texas Art
May 1-3, 2009
AT&T Hotel and Conference Center
Austin, Texas
- 4 star hotel venue offering
onsite restaurants & lounge
- Leading purveyors of Texas
art featured in the "Texas Art Fair" open to the public for the first time and
publicized in local and national newspapers and art publications
- Top scholars, collectors and
ETA enthusiasts presenting in varied session formats, including panel,
roundtable discussion and lecture with Q&A
- Exclusive opportunities to
network with fellow art patrons while enjoying the Austin art scene
We are proud to confirm the following speakers for the 2009 CASETA Symposium on Early Texas Art:
-Artists John Alexander, David Bates, Melissa Miller and Bob Wade in a panel discussion moderated by Annette Carlozzi, Curator of American and Contemporary Art at the Blanton Museum
-Collectors Mary Arno, Jason Schoen, Randy Tibbits and other in a panel discussion
-Dr. Ted Pillsbury, Chairman of Fine and Decorative Arts for the Heritage Auction Galleries
-Dr. Sam Ratcliffe, Head of the Jerry Bywaters Special Collection at SMU
-David Coleman, Curator of Photography at the Harry Ransom Center
-Bonnie Campbell, Director of the Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens
-Artist Karl Umlauf
-Francine Carraro,Director of the Grace Museum, Judy Deaton,Curator of the Grace Museumand Carl McQueary,Independent Curator
-Art Professionals Cheryl Carrabba, Mark Vangelder, Don Berkman and others in a round table discussion
-Ellen Buie Niewyk, Curator of the Jerry Bywaters Special Collection at SMU and 2008 CASETA Publication Award Winner
Information about the speakers' topics and the program will be available soon.
Check caseta.org for more information!
|
CASETA's E-news is sent monthly as a service to our members. To join CASETA, visit our website at caseta.org. Please feel free to share any comments or suggestions by email or phone. If there is content that you would like to see in the E-news or on our website, please let us know! Sincerely,
Courtney DiSabato
Program Administrator
CASETA
cd26@txstate.edu
(512)245-1986
|
|
|
