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, Filed Under: Meetings

Fall 2023 Advisory Council Abbreviated Meeting Minutes

  • Welcome:
    Sondra Lomax, Executive Director and Assistant Dean of Development, College of Fine Arts
  • “Passing of the Baton” New Advisory Council Chair Installation:
    Caroline Schupbach (Outgoing Chair) and Susanna Moldawer (Incoming Chair)
    • COFA internationalization forges new academic and artistic partnerships
      • Filuni Mexico City, Mexico, September 2023
      • Seoul, South Korea, Spring 2024
    • Community Engagement & Community Embedded Work:
      • Laura Gutierrez​, Associate Dean for Community Engagement ​and Public Practice
      • Francisco Samaniega​, Program Coordinator​, Office of Community Engagement and Public Practice
  • A Conversation with New Leadership in the College:
    Moderated by Dean Rivera-Servera, Susan Thomas, the new director of the Butler School of Music, and Peter Carpenter, the new chair of the Department of Theatre and Dance, offered insights into their background and discoveries as they immerse themselves into their new roles at UT Austin.
  • Community Engagement Panel Discussion:
    Led by Associate Dean of Graduate Education and Academic Affairs Raquel Monroe, panelists reflected on their respective programs and the opportunities for COFA students to connect to arts communities and industries.Laura Gutiérrez, associate dean for community engagement and public practice, outlined her vision for the Center for Community Engagement and Public Practice. Sonia Montoya, director of the Center for Creative Economies, discussed how she is engaging community partners in her new role. Charles Carson, associate professor at the Butler School of Music, defined and discussed his experience with Artistic Citizenship.

  • Round Table Discussion
    Council members wrote about and discussed their answers to the question: How can we use our community contacts to cultivate community engagement, career/economic opportunities for our students, and artistic citizenship as a guiding principle?
  • Development Report:
    Sondra Lomax

    • 2023 Council Destinations Recap
      • Spring 2023 Council Meeting; Santa Fe, New Mexico
      • Summer 2023 Council Gathering: Aspen, Colorado
    • COFA 22-23 Fundraising Total: $50,606,663
      • Programs*: $42,833,567​
      • Students: $7,648,096 ​
      • Faculty: $115,000​
      • Facilities: $10,000
        *Includes support for student, faculty, equipment restricted to specific programs and majors
    • The Doty Society
      • The Executive Committee has recommended an increase in annual dues beginning in Fall 2024:
        • Active members: $2,000
        • Sustaining members: $700
    • Member Survey​
      • Majority strongly positive about the Council ​
      • Majority strongly positive about paying dues​
      • More info on council purpose, goals, and member responsibilities will be coming in a quarterly e-newsletter beginning January 2024
    • Member Responsibilities Recap
      • Fundraising
      • Advocacy
      • Advice
    • Donor Advisors Update and Introductions
      • Jessica Burford, Assoc. Director of Major Gifts​
      • Jeff Glosser, Executive Director of Gift Planning​
      • Arturo Guajardo, Leadership Giving Associate
      • Anna Langdell, Director of Principal Gifts, Texas Performing Arts ​
      • Kristen Randolph, Director of Gift Planning​
      • Alex Scull, Director of Gift Planning/ Principal Gifts for Arts/Culture/Collections​
      • Natalie Seeboth, Director of Major Gifts​
      • Blake Turner, Director of Major Gifts​
      • Beth Zimmerman, Director of Principal Gifts​
    • College of Fine Arts Fundraising Priorities:
      • Innovation in Research and Creative Practices
      • College-to-Career Success for Students
      • Facilities Upgrades
    • Texas Challenge Scholarships
      • Matching UT funds for these special scholarships beginning at $125K
  • Performance:
    Jazz Ensemble from Butler School of Music students
  • Closing Remarks and Announcements:
    Susanna MoldawerSpring council meeting slated for February 21-22, 2024 in Fort Worth.

 

, Filed Under: From the Executive Director, Uncategorized

Remembering Yacov Sharir

Dear Friends,

Photo of Yacov Sharir looking into the camera. He has gray hair and glasses and is wearing a dark gray shirt and black jacket.

With sadness, I write to inform you of the passing of Yacov Sharir, the husband of Advisory Council member Pat Clubb, as well as a professor emeritus in the Department of Theatre and Dance. An innovator in the field of contemporary dance, Yacov is remembered as an inspiring collaborator, uniquely talented educator, and much-beloved member of the College of Fine Arts community for over 40 years.

Yacov made a lasting impression on professional dance in Austin, across Texas, and beyond. He was also a scholarship donor, helping to ensure talented dance students could complete their educations debt free. More on Yacov’s work and impact on our college can be found here: In Memoriam: Yacov Sharir.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the Yacov Sharir and Pat Clubb Endowed Scholarship in Dance at The University of Texas at Austin. Donations may be made by phoning toll free 866-488-3927; giving online; or by check made payable to The University of Texas at Austin and mailed to our office: UT College of Fine Arts, 2501 Trinity Street, D1400, Austin, TX 78712-1424.

Please join me in expressing our deepest condolences to Pat on her loss.

Sincerely,

Sondra Lomax's handwritten signature
Sondra Lomax
Executive Director and Associate Dean for Development

, Filed Under: From the Dean

Dean’s Insider: Fine Arts delegation in Mexico City

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

I recently had the honor and pleasure of visiting Mexico City as part of a larger delegation from the University of Texas that included President Jay Hartzell, Provost Sharon Wood, other UT deans and UT alumni. The trip was graciously organized by Texas Global, and the University was the guest of honor at La Feria Internacional del Libro de las Universitarias y los Universitarios 2023, known popularly as FILUNI. This academic book fair for publishers in Latin America is hosted by the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) and attracts more than 35,000 participants from 10 countries.

In our Fine Arts delegation, I was joined by Professor David Stuart, the Miró Quartet, Professor Nathaniel Brickens and his Trombone Choir, as well as other faculty members.

During our visit, we celebrated the University’s deep connections in Mexico. We held lively, focused meetings and facilities tours with our counterparts in Mexico, including representatives from the arts and culture scene, leadership for the National Center for the Arts and academics from Mexico’s national universities.

Texas Exes hosted an incredible reception at the National Museum of Anthropology, and we were treated to a private tour of La Sala de Aztec (the Aztec Calendar Stone) by our own Professor Stuart, author of King and Cosmos: An Interpretation of the Aztec Calendar Stone.

The Miró Quartet performed and offered clinics and performances at UNAM. Our Trombone Choir, led by Professor Brickens, performed alongside their Mexican counterpart. The performance included a piece developed at UT this past spring with Marcia Medrano Serrano, a 2023 COMEXUS Fulbright-García Robles visiting chair.

While these ceremonial events were fantastic, I’m most excited about the many serious conversations we had with our Mexican partners about how we may deepen our connections and build further upon these relationships in the future.

Sincerely,

Ramón H. Rivera-Servera
Dean, College of Fine Arts

, Filed Under: From the Dean

Dean’s Insider: Summer travel highlights for the College of Fine Arts

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

This summer, I’ve had the joy and privilege of traveling to visit friends of our college and see the incredible work of our faculty and alumni. In June, I spent time on the West Coast and East Coast, and in July, we headed for the mountains in Aspen with the Fine Arts Advisory Council. I want to share a few highlights from these trips with you.

In Los Angeles, we attended a joint event for UT alumni and parents of new UT students, hosted by the university. Along with Moody College of Communication Interim Dean Rachel Davis Mersey and UT Basketball Head Coach Rodney Terry, we welcomed incoming first-year students at a lovely event. I met so many alumni and supporters of the college, and they shared stories about the impact their UT experience has had on their lives and the hope they have for the future of the arts.

In New York, I had the pleasure of seeing Funny Girl on Broadway, with lighting design by Doty Distinguished Alumnus Kevin Adams (B.F.A., Theatrical Design, 1984). I also visited Studio Art Assistant Professor Scherezade García-Vazquez at her studio in Queens, where I got a sneak peek at some of the large-scale paintings and soft sculptures she’s working on for an upcoming round of exhibitions this fall. And I attended the opening of the New Museum exhibition My Beating Heart/ Mi corazón latiente, which showcases the work of Puerto Rican artist Pepón Osorio. I’m proud to have contributed an essay to the exhibition catalog for this show.

In July, our Fine Arts Advisory Council convened in Aspen for a spectacular showcase of Texas art and music in Colorado. Piano Professor Anton Nel was celebrating the 25th anniversary of his faculty role in the Aspen Music Festival, where he performed many different concerts this summer. We had a studio tour with Texas-born artist James Surls, and we saw an incredible window display at the Hermès store designed by Raul De Lara (B.F.A., Studio Art, 2015).

Now that I’m back in Austin, we’re hard at work prepping for the start of the fall semester. I’m energized and rejuvenated about the important work that we do here in the College of Fine Arts, and I’m grateful to our friends and alumni for your support of our mission.

Ramón H. Rivera-Servera
Dean, College of Fine Arts

, Filed Under: From the Dean

Aspen Trip Recap
Advisory Council Members and Artist James Surls in his studio
Advisory Council Members and artist James Surls in his studio.
Dear Friends,

Thank you for joining me and the College of Fine Arts Development Team for the Fine Arts Advisory Council trip to Aspen! I am so grateful for your meaningful engagement throughout the entire program. I cannot express how much I enjoyed experiencing art, music and all of the social interactions together in such a beautiful setting – and I hope you enjoyed it too!

I am especially grateful to Meredith Luskey for planning our activities and hosting us at some of her favorite spots around town. Thank you so much, Meredith, for welcoming us into your second home!

I also want to thank UT Professor of Piano Anton Nel for treating us to a fantastic private concert. What a treat!

Finally, this trip would not have been possible without the incredible work of Sondra Lomax and her development team, especially Lauren Cunningham and Murphy Crain, plus our frontline gift officers: Jessica Burford, Kristen Randolph, Alex Scull, Natalie Seeboth, and Blake Turner.

I hope to see you all again soon and certainly on campus this fall at our Advisory Council meeting on October 26-27.

Sincerely,
Dean Rivera-Servera's signature
Ramón H. Rivera-Servera
Dean

, Filed Under: Council Business

Hotel Block for Advisory Council Fall Meeting
 

Hotel Block is open for Fall Meeting
As you make your plans for the 2023 Fine Arts Advisory Council Fall Meeting on October 26-27, we have reserved a block of hotel rooms at the AT&T Hotel and Conference Center on campus for your convenience.
Click Here to make your hotel reservation
 

The full schedule of events will be sent out later this summer. In the meantime please refer to the following schedule to make your travel plans:

Thursday, October 26
Afternoon: New Member Orientation and Executive Committee Meeting
Evening: Full Council Reception, location TBD

Friday, October 27
Full Council Meeting, Rowling Hall, Guadalupe Room (RH4), attached to the AT&T Center

, Filed Under: From the Executive Director

RSVP for Aspen, July 18-19

Dear Friends,

The College of Fine Arts invites you to meet us in Aspen, Colorado July 18-19 for socializing and a schedule of exclusive events highlighting the vibrant arts and music scene in this region. A special thanks to Advisory Council member Meredith Luskey for helping us to organize an exciting itinerary.

Please RSVP by Friday, June 30. You will be able to RSVP to individual events. The event schedule is provided below, and more details will be forthcoming in late June.

Click here to RSVP

Schedule for Aspen
Tuesday, July 18
6:00pm – Music with a View at the Aspen Art Museum*
Private Dinner following Music with a View, location TBA

Wednesday, July 19
Morning, Time TBA – Private studio tour, artist James Surls, Carbondale, CO
Midday, Time TBA – Group Lunch near the studio, location TBA
5:00pm – Aspen Conducting Academy Orchestra at the Benedict Music Tent*

*Official event of the Aspen Music Festival

Note on Accommodations
Due to limited availability of hotel accommodations in Aspen, the college is unable to provide a room block for this gathering.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Assistant Director of Development Lauren Cunningham at lauren.cunningham@austin.utexas.edu. I look forward to seeing you in Aspen!

Warm Regards,
Sondra Lomax signature
Sondra Lomax
Executive Director of Development

, Filed Under: From the Dean

Dean’s Insider: Celebrating our 2023 Fine Arts graduates

Dear Friends,

This month, we were so excited to celebrate the College of Fine Arts Class of 2023. After missing last year’s commencement ceremony, I was thrilled to take the reins of my first commencement as dean to celebrate more than 330 graduating students.

We were honored to have Butler School of Music alumnus Lecolion Washington as our commencement speaker. A Texas native, Lecolion shared his own moving journey from student to professional musician to arts administrator who advocates for making his field more inclusive and welcoming.

We do commencement a little differently in our college and celebrate our students as they showcase their personalities and talents as they cross the stage. One student’s walk across the stage went viral on social media—you can see why for yourself here.

These talented, passionate and creative graduates enter their post-college lives with incredible artistic might and an ethical compass from their time spent at The University of Texas at Austin. What starts here changes the world, and I expect incredible things from these newly minted alumni.

While commencement always seems like a conclusion to the academic year, it’s really just a momentary pause of celebration for our graduating students. You’ll continue to hear from me over the summer — our doors are open, and our work continues. We’re already preparing to welcome a new incoming cohort of students, new faculty members and new department leadership.

Sincerely,

Ramón H. Rivera-Servera
Dean

, Filed Under: From the Executive Director

Save the Date: Aspen, July 18-19

Dear Advisory Council, Parents Council, and Friends,

The College of Fine Arts and Advisory Council member Meredith Luskey invite you to meet us in Aspen, Colorado this July for socializing and some exclusive events highlighting the vibrant arts and music scene in this region. A special thanks to Meredith for helping us to organize an exciting itinerary.

In the coming weeks we will be sending out a detailed schedule with a formal RSVP request. If you have any questions, please reach out to Assistant Director of Development Lauren Cunningham at lauren.cunningham@austin.utexas.edu. I look forward to seeing you in Aspen!

Warm Regards,
Sondra Lomax signature
Sondra Lomax
Executive Director of Development

, Filed Under: Council Business, From the Executive Director

2023-2024 New Members

Dear Advisory Council Members,

I am pleased to welcome the newest members of the Fine Arts Advisory Council! Thanks again to all who submitted nominations for the 2023-2024 cohort.

Additionally, I would like to once again recognize the Nominating Committee for their dedicated service to the council in this important capacity. The 2022-2023 Nominating Committee members are: Stephanie Goodman (Austin), Nancy Ginsburg (Fort Worth), Amy Hofland (Dallas), Aynsley Letzerich (Houston), and Caroline Schupbach (San Antonio).

Please join me in welcoming to the council:
Charles Hardy, Dallas
Nominated by Sondra Lomax
Charles retired in 2013 after 33 years as General Counsel of Austin Industries, Inc., one of the largest construction companies in the U.S. Since retiring, he has been Of Counsel at Slates Harwell LLP, serving as an arbitrator in construction disputes and litigation. Before joining Austin Industries in 1980, Charles was an assistant district attorney and felony prosecutor in the Travis County District Attorney’s office. Charles received a Bachelor of Journalism from UT-Austin in 1971 and his J.D. from St. Mary’s University School of Law in 1975. He enjoys theatre and the visual arts, and he is a supporter of the T Department of Theatre and Dance. Charles was born and raised in Hondo, Texas and his family traces its ancestry back to the earliest Texas settlers.
 
Sheri Henriksen, Austin
Nominated by Aynsley Letzerich and Cynthia Coulson
Sheri holds degrees in journalism from Texas Tech and petroleum engineering from UT-Austin, as well as a Master of Liberal Arts from Rice University. She is an active volunteer, serving on the advisory board of the Glasscock School of Continuing Education at Rice University, UTHealth Houston, UTHealth School of Nursing in Houston, and the Center for Medicine After the Holocaust in Houston. Sheri recently moved to Austin after living in Houston for 38 years and is “just getting started” on her community involvement through memberships with KUT, KMFA, Texas Performing Arts Inner Circle, and the Austin Chamber Music Center.Sarah Bartholow Hsu, Austin
Nominated by Vicki Bartholow
After obtaining a BA in Art History from UT-Austin in 2004, Sarah, a Dallas native, moved to New York City. She applied her degree in the commercial and entrepreneurial spaces of luxury fashion and consumer brand development at a prominent agency. Sarah returned to Austin in 2009 to pursue her career in strategic brand development and design. With a profound curiosity in the contemporary arts, in addition to Sarah’s brand consulting practice, she is presently retained by a handful of commercial and private residential clients to source and procure art. Art and design have forever saturated Sarah’s career, and her ceaseless desire to explore and learn about new art and design approaches navigates her own practice today.

Brent Jackson, Dallas
Nominated by Stephen Austin
Brent received his BFA in Studio Art in 1993 and his MBA in 2005 from UT-Austin. He is the founder and CEO of Oaxaca Interests, LLC, a real estate operator, developer, and investment firm focused on the urban core of key high-growth Texas markets. In September 2022, Brent founded Oaxaca Interests’ newest venture, HiFAB, a new manufacturing plant located in Grand Prairie, Texas that will be dedicated to creating high-end modular homes. Haciendas, homes designed by San Antonio’s celebrated architecture firm Lake|Flato, will be HiFAB’s first product.
 
Mary Kehoe, Santa Fe, NM
Nominated by Malee Helm
Dallas was Mary’s home until she moved to Santa Fe, NM 20 years ago. Mary studied art history and studio art in college (UT-Austin) and high school (Hockaday/Dallas). She is a painter and clothing designer using her hand-painted fabrics. She has also sold fabrics to designers to use for upholstery and decorative pieces. Currently, Mary is a Real Estate Broker with Sotheby’s in Santa Fe. In Dallas, Mary was an active volunteer with Crystal Charity Ball, Junior League, the Dallas SPCA, and was co-chairman of the Cattle Baron’s Ball. In Santa Fe, Mary and her husband Chuck are members of the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum.

Laura Matz, Austin
Nominated by Janis Brous
Laura is a respected public policy strategist and strategic communicator with more than 15 years of experience in developing and executing highly effective legislative campaigns. In 2006, the San Antonio Express-News named her one of the state’s top five lobbyists. Prior to starting her own private practice, Laura worked at an independent lobby firm where she represented a wide range of clients. She also worked at the international law firm of Thompson & Knight where she successfully represented corporate clients, organized an international trade mission and led a successful legislative effort to authorize groundwater contamination laws. Laura received her Bachelor of Science in Communication Studies from The University of Texas at Austin, and she is a member of Texas Women for the Arts, an arts advocacy group under the Texas Cultural Trust.

Elisabeth McCabe, Houston
Nominated by Caroline Finkelstein
Elisabeth is a co-founder and principal designer at ecco interior design in Houston, TX. In addition to her thriving business, Elisabeth is an active volunteer with the Museum of Fine Arts Houston, serving in various roles and memberships in modern and contemporary art, art education, and the Family Circle, as well was a member of the Rice Design Alliance. Her past volunteer experience includes serving as a trustee of the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston and a trustee of the Houston Symphony.

Wayne McCullough, Dallas
Nominated by Sharon McCullough
Wayne is a Partner and Managing Director at Beacon Pointe Advisors and taps into his vast experience, industry acclaim and relationship-based partnerships with clients to provide top of the line service and expertise in wealth management. Prior to joining Beacon Pointe, Wayne served as the President and Managing Partner for Benchmark Private Wealth Management. Wayne, a sixth generation Texan, received his BA from the University of Texas at Austin and holds the Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) designation. Wayne, his wife and children reside in Dallas, where he serves various non-profit organizations.

Tania Schwartz, El Paso
Nominated by Sondra Lomax
Following a career in K-12 education, Tania is an active advocate for the arts and education in El Paso, TX. She holds a bachelor’s and a master’s degree from the University of Texas at El Paso and is currently in candidacy for a doctorate in Educational Leadership and Foundations also at UTEP. Tania currently serves on the boards of the Texas Cultural Trust, Texas Women for the Arts, the Tom Lea Institute: Arts & Culture Programming, Kids Excel El Paso, and the Cornudas Mountain Foundation. Her past community involvement includes work with the UTEP Development Board, the University of New Mexico School of Architecture, Junior League of El PASO and the Women’s Fund of El Paso.

Helen Sharp, Austin
Nominated by Susanna Showers Moldawer
Helen Sharp is an innovator in the world of public relations and brand-story development for emerging, mission-driven brands. She’s worked with impactful, sustainable businesses such as the Surfrider Foundation, 1% for the Planet, Repurpose and LastObject. She is the founder of Be Influential, a specialized public relations agency for a better world. Helen also maintains a ceramics studio out of her home and sells her work to stores around Texas.

Laura Spence, Austin
Nominated by Judy Tate
Laura is the founder and president of Rosebud Meal Kits and executive director of its nonprofit arm, Rosebud Eastside Alliance, providing fresh, high-quality meal kits to underserved families in Austin. Laura was also involved in the development of two murals in East Austin. She holds a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in social work from UT-Austin.

Megan Zafereo, Austin
Nominated by Janis Brous
Megan was born and raised in Fort Worth before attending UT-Austin and earning a Bachelor of Nursing in 2004. Upon graduating, she worked at Memorial Herman in the Houston Medical Center. In 2006 Megan married her husband and moved to Greenwich, CT where they lived and worked before moving to the UK. The Zafereo family lived in London for 13 years and during that time welcomed three children and enjoyed lots of travel. In 2020 they returned to Texas. Megan is continuing her nursing career at St. David’s in the recovery room. Outside of work, Megan enjoys spending time with her children and volunteering at the Assistance League of Austin.
As always, my sincere thanks to each and every one of you for all you do for the College of Fine Arts.

Warm regards,
Sondra Lomax signature
Sondra Lomax
Executive Director of Development
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