Carolyn Bess –
Director of Arts & Letters Live
Me and my job in 50 words or less . . .
I oversee Arts & Letters Live, the DMA’s literary and performing arts series, which brings some of the greatest names in contemporary literature and the performing arts to the Museum. We invite our talent to respond to the DMA’s collections and exhibitions in creative ways, by writing new poems or choreographing new dances inspired by art.
Three things about me, but not about my work . . .
I love traveling, reading, quilting, antiquing, and enjoying all the Arts District has to offer.
One of my favorite exhibitions at the DMA was China and Glass in America: From Tabletop to TV Tray because I have a slight obsession with china (my cabinets are full).
My experience at the International Spy Museum in DC indicated that I could have been a spy if I’d chosen a different career path.
Favorite three works in the DMA . . .
It was painful to edit this list, because I have too many favorites to count.
Gerald Murphy, Watch, 1925
Gothic Revival Bedstead
Constantin Brancusi, The Beginning of the World, c. 1920
Hillary Bober –
Digital Archivist
Me and my job in 50 words or less . . .
I am the museum’s go to girl for all things historical, from 1903 to last year. I know, or can figure out, what was done when, by who, and why. I also work to make the museum’s history publicly accessible online.
Three things about me, but not about my work . . .
I’ve been in Texas now for 6 ½ years.
I have a BA in Anthropology/Archaeology and excavated slag and what may have been a stone floor for 7 weeks on my field school in northwest England.
I make a really good coffee cake.
Favorite three works in the DMA . . .
Morris Louis, Delta Kappa, 1960
Gustave Caillebotte, Yellow Roses in a Vase (Roses jaunes dans un vase), 1882
Robert King (Designer) and Albert C. Roy (Maker), Celestial Centerpiece for the 1964 New York World’s Fair, 1964
Sarah Coffey –
Education Coordinator for Internships
Me and my job in 50 words or less . . .
I coordinate the Museum’s McDermott Internship Program and help facilitate other internships, ensuring that our interns’ time with us is rewarding and engaging. I also keep stats for our education programming and pitch in on other projects as needed.
Three things about me, but not about my work . . .
I got engaged on the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
I love mid-century modern, abstract expressionism, and Mad Men.
I find print mixing easy, but can never decide which top to wear with black pants.
Favorite three works in the DMA . . .
Eiffel Tower by Robert Delaunay, 1924
Untitled (3/00), III by Charline Von Heyl, 2000
Ocean Park No. 29, Richard Diebenkorn, 1970
Katie Cooke –
Manager of Adult Programs
Me and my job in 50 words or less . . .
My job is to make sure adult audiences are having an engaging and fun experience at the museum during Second Thursdays with a Twist, Adult Workshops and Partner Programs. My days consist of booking performers, researching for tours, brainstorming activities, working with local artists and much more.
Three things about me, but not about my work . . .
I am obsessed with corgis, but I don’t have one…yet. I have a running list of about 25 podcasts I listen to regularly, the addiction does not seem to be slowing down. A dream of mine is to visit every National Park in the United States
Favorite three works in the DMA . . .
College of Animals by Cornelis Saftleven
Balinese Head by Miguel Covarrubias
Panel with Feline Figures from Wari (Huari) provincial
Jessie Frazier –
Manager of Adult Programs
Me and my job in 50 words or less . . .
I manage talks, tours, and film programs for adult visitors. I get to connect with scholars, artists, writers, podcasters, and other wonderful people who visit to speak about DMA collections and special exhibitions. It’s the dream job for a lifelong learner like me.
Three things about me, but not about my work . . .
I’m a huge foodie. I love to cook, I used to bake professionally, and I am fascinated by food history. One day I hope to do a little food writing.
I have a basset hound named Jenny (after Forrest Gump)
My favorite books are Orson Scott Card’s Ender series. I’ve read them several times.
Favorite three works in the DMA . . .
Mask with seal or sea otter spirit, late 19th century
Yellow Roses in a Vase by Gustave Caillebotte, 1882
All of the utensils in the American silver collection
Leah Hanson
–
Director of Family, Youth, and School Programs
Me and my job in 50 words or less . . .
Most days, you are likely to find me sitting on the floor in the museum galleries surrounded by babies, toddlers and preschoolers. I play many games of “I Spy” with works of art, read pictures books, and encourage mini dance parties, all to help young children have fun exploring art.
Three things about me, but not about my work . . .
I’ve hiked the Inca trail to Manchu Picchu.
I play the piano and the viola and pretend to play the guitar.
Organizing things makes me happy (and ridiculously nerdy, I suppose).
Favorite three works in the DMA . . .
Ivy in Flower, Henri Matisse
The outside of inside, Olafur Eliasson
Window with Starfish (“Spring”) and Window with Sea Anemone (“Summer”), Louis Comfort Tiffany
Jessica Harden –
Director of Design and Content Strategy
Me and my job in 50 words or less . . .
Let’s see . . . Exhibition design is a little hard to explain. I don’t just design spaces, although this is a huge part of what I do; I design experiences. It’s part architecture, part interior design, part furniture designer, part creative development, part project management, part research, part interpretation, part imagineer.
Three things about me, but not about my work . . .
I’m a Texan, born and bred. My family has lived here since it was the Republic of Texas. I’ve lived in a lot of different places, but Texas will always be my home.
I am a yogini. Most of my time outside of work is spent practicing, studying, and loving yoga. I’ve been practicing on and off for almost 12 years now. I am even planning on getting certified to teach in the very near future.
I refuse to be put into a box, and I am chock full of contradictions. I’m a country girl that loves living in the city. I’m a hometown pageant queen that loves getting her hands dirty. I’m 5’10 and drive a smartcar.
Favorite three works in the DMA . . .
Traction Splint by Charles and Ray Eames
To think that the ubiquitous forms of bent plywood modern furniture started with the resolve and determination to figure out how to fabricate a lightweight and durable splint for the US Navy . . .
Ocean Park No.29 by Richard Diebenkorn
Maybe it is the ordered geometric divisions that create its composition, maybe it is the painterly quality of the artist’s hand, perhaps it is the potency of its fields of color, or the subtleness of the hues within them, whatever it is, it takes my breath away every time.
Un Ballo in Maschera by Yinka Shonibare
There are so many components and complexities to this work of art that you start to wonder what is so special about a painting.
Stacey Lizotte –
DMA League Director of Adult Programs
Me and my job in 50 words or less . . .
I oversee and help create the adult programming at the Museum including Late Nights, Thursday Night Live, lectures, gallery programs, concerts, and programs offered in partnership with other community organizations. I also work with our Multimedia staff to make sure any programs requiring technical support go off without a hitch.
Three things about me, but not about my work . . .
I’m short.
My favorite band is The Cure.
My favorite book is Pride & Prejudice.
Favorite three works in the DMA . . .
Untitled (Perfect Lovers) by Félix González-Torres
The Singer by Thomas Wilmer Dewing
Bacchic Concert by Pietro Paolini
Martha MacLeod –
Senior Curatorial Administrator for the Curatorial Department and Curatorial Assistant European and American Art Department
Me and my job in 50 words or less . . .
My job has two hats. When I wear the Curatorial Assistant one, I support the European and American Art Curators with exhibitions, acquisitions and research. When I put on my Senior Curatorial Administrator hat, I coordinate all aspects of collaboration between the Curatorial department and the other museum departments as well as with the trustees and colleagues at other museums.
Three things about me, but not about my work . . .
I am a terrible cook, in fact I can only make five things, two of which are coffee and scrambled eggs.
The first car I bought had a manual transmission, the salesman had to teach me how to drive it before I could take it home.
I am distantly related to Angus “Giant” MacAskill, who is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as one of the tallest men known to live.
Favorite three works in the DMA . . .
Silence by Antoine-Augustin Préault
Self-Portrait of the Artist and his Family in his Studio by Paul Claude-Michel Carpentier
Study for “The Spanish Dancer” by John Singer Sargent
Skye Olson –
Exhibition Designer
Me and my job in 50 words or less . . .
I work collaboratively to realize a vision from an abstract concept to a physically compelling experience. On any given day, you might find me building 3D models my hand, designing casework on 3D software, or happily immersed in paint swatches and fabric samples.
Three things about me, but not about my work . . .
I love to listen to design podcasts, practice yoga, and my favorite film is Paris, Texas
Favorite three works in the DMA . . .
Anne Truitt, Come Unto These Yellow Sands II
Robert Irwin, Untitled
And I am in love with all of the African textiles in our collection. The Egungun on display in particular because it has a life of its own, it becomes animated with dance and is meant to be experienced in motion.
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