Alumni in the News

Mark Van Stone (Ph.D., ’05) has written a new book, 2012 – Science and Prophecy of the Ancient Maya. It is a full-color, 170-page book inspired by Maya inscriptions, astronomical knowledge, math, and myth. Van Stone has spent the last several years researching “What the ancient Maya actually said about 2012.” The result is based entirely on science, archaeology, decipherment, and PreColumbian art. To make this arcane material as accessible as possible, he examines aspects of this phenomenon in 38 short, digestible essays, which one can read in any order.

Constance Cortez (B.A., ’81; M.A., ’86) was granted tenure and promotion to Associate Professor at Texas Tech University in April 2009. She has two volumes coming out in September 2010: “Carmen Lomas Garza” (UCLA, A Ver Series) and a co-edited volume (with John Beusterien) “Death and the Afterlife in the Early Modern Hispanic World” (University of Minnesota Press, Hispanic Issues On-Line). She is currently co-organizing the 2nd Triennial for the Association of Latin American Art with Virginia Fields. The symposium will be held November 12-14 at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

David Wyatt (B.A., ’95) and Rachel Wyatt (B.J., ’00 & M.A., ’04) of Wyatt Brand, an Austin-based boutique design and PR firm, has been chosen by the Texas Cultural Trust to execute dual design and public relations campaigns for the 2011 Texas Medal of Arts- the signature biennial event of the organization spotlighting and celebrating the creative excellence, exemplary talents, and outstanding contributions by Texans in selected categories.

Judi Krant (B.A., ’94) is the writer and director of the film “MADE IN CHINA,” which won the Grand Jury Award for Best Narrative Feature last year at SXSW. The film has recently been picked up for distribution with IFC (www.ifcfilms.com/toppers/made-in-china).

Sunyong Chung (B.A., ’81) will have two sculptures, a gigantic porcelain torus and dancing paper, on display at the Austin Museum of Art (AMOA), May 22- August 15, 2010. Chung will be at AMOA July 10th at 1pm and July 15th at 7pm.

David H. Elliott (B.F.A., ’67) presents his Painted Drawings exhibition in the fine art studio of Professor Emeritus Terence Grieder. David will present 23 recent paintings, including the new Debacle series. Other paintings are from the End of It All series.

Painted Drawings, David H. Elliott’s solo exhibition, opens Sunday, May 16th, 1 p.m.- 6 p.m., at 406 W. 35th Street, Austin, Texas

Hank Hehmsoth (M.M., ’76) won first place in the 2010 NACUSA Texas Composition Competition. Hehmsoth is a jazz performing artist and National Endowment for the Arts fellow. He teaches Jazz Piano/Improvisation, Composition/Arranging, Film Scoring, and Music Technology at Undergraduate and Graduate levels at Texas State University; he is also the Director of Computer Applications and is WebMaster for the School of Music.

Maxine Graham Price’s (B.F.A., ’59) work is now on display at La Posada Resort and Spa in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The next time you are in Santa Fe, you owe it to yourself to visit this historic hotel and view the wonderful collection of paintings and sculpture curated by Sara Eyestone that are on display throughout the hotel, on the grounds and in the spa. Ask Sara about a guided art tour.

Eric Neuville (M.M., School of Music ’08) will be performing in Seattle Opera’s Young Artists Program’s upcoming production of Richard Strauss’s Ariadne auf Naxos in April.

Bryan Lester (BFA, Design, 2002) recently opened his own advertising agency based in Dallas, TX. More information about his company, The DesL Group, can be found online at www.deslgroup.com.