TFR Hires New Director
When Pat Jasper decided to step down from the leadership of Texas Folklife Resources after an admirable 17 years as director, the folks at TFR had their work cut out for them finding a successor. People with the kind of passion for the state’s native arts and knack for promoting them with the skill and enthusiasm that Jasper has just grown on pecan trees. So the TFR board undertook a nationwide search and selected Dr. Martha Norkunas to fill the director’s shoes come September 1. With a Ph.D. in Folklore from Indiana University, Norkunas has served as the head of Oral and Public History Programs at The Center for American History (UT-Austin) and as Director of Cultural Affairs at the Lowell Historic Preservation Commission; she’s taught folklore and history at UT-Austin, Southwestern University, and the University of Massachusetts at Lowell, and she’s the author of Monuments and Memory, History and Representation in Lowell, Massachusetts and The Politics of Public Memory: Tourism, History and Ethnicity in Monterey, California, as well as a number of articles on folklore and public memory.
TCA Honors State Great Artists
Speaking of Pat Jasper, the recently retired co-founder and longtime director of Texas Folklife Resources was one of five recipients of the Texas Commission on the Arts’ Award of Excellence at the Texas Touring Arts Conference held in Austin in early August. Jasper was recognized for innovation in touring & programming, specifically regarding her support of the traditional arts in the Lone Star State through her 17 years with TFR. Her fellow recipients were recognized similarly for their years of excellence and leadership in the performing arts in Texas. New TCA Executive Director Ricardo Hernandez noted that these individuals and organizations were chosen “for their personal sacrifice and passion, outstanding service to their communities, and their commitment to the arts,” and that the TCA was “proud to bestow this honor on the most active members of the Texas performing arts community to acknowledge their contributions.” Also honored with awards were legendary Texas musician Don Walser, of Pure Texas Band fame, recognized for his excellence as an artist over more than four decades; Jo Long, of San Antonio, for excellence as a presenter during her 20 years with the Carver Center in the Alamo City; El Comité Cultural del Pueblo, for organizational excellence in promoting appreciation of Mexican-American culture and bettering the community of Del Rio through cultural and educational activities since 1980; and Betty Switzer, who spent 17 years with the Texas Commission on the Arts and is currently director of the Office of Cultural Affairs for the City of Dallas, where she is responsible for implementing the City Council’s Cultural Policy, for outstanding service to the state. Each Award of Excellence honoree was presented with an original work of art created by nationally recognized Texas glass artist Rejina Thomas.
This article appears in August 23 • 2002.