(HOUSTON, TX) April 22, 2015 — Houston Center for Contemporary Craft (HCCC) announced today the resignation of Executive Director Julie Farr, effective May 1, 2015. Ms. Farr has been director of HCCC since 2007 and noted in her statement that the timing is appropriate for her to pursue other projects. She has had the privilege and challenge of stewarding the helm for the Craft Center for eight years and feels confident about leaving the organization as a nationally recognized and celebrated venue for the art of craft.
“This seemed like a logical transition point, both for me personally and the Center as an institution,” she said. “After eight years with the Craft Center, I feel I have made my contribution to the institution and helped forge its identity with the exhibitions, projects and programs we initiated. I am extremely proud of the work we have all done together.”
During Ms. Farr’s tenure, Houston Center for Contemporary Craft furthered a nationally recognized Artist Residency Program, created two well-branded annual fundraising events, established a fully funded curatorial fellowship position, and achieved a long-term goal of lending original exhibitions.
Ms. Farr was also an instrumental member of the Midtown Houston Management District, serving as co-chair of the Arts and Cultural Committee and the Policy Chair of the Houston Museum District Association Board of Directors; placed artworks by 25 artists for acceptance into the Portable Works Collection of the City of Houston at Intercontinental Airport Houston; and served as a juror and panelist for Texas Commission on the Arts, Houston Arts Alliance, regional arts festivals, and local and national exhibitions.
Victoria Lightman, President, Board of Directors, stated, “We have been in extremely capable hands for the last eight years, and we commend Julie for her work at the Center. She created strong partnerships with other cultural institutions, and we hope to continue this collaboration.”
The HCCC Board of Directors wishes Ms. Farr the best in her future endeavors. The Board will name an interim director in the near future.
About Houston Center for Contemporary Craft
Houston Center for Contemporary Craft (HCCC) is a nonprofit arts organization founded to advance education about the process, product and history of craft. HCCC serves as an important cultural and educational resource for Houston and the Southwest—one of the few venues in the country dedicated exclusively to craft at the highest level. The organization provides exhibition, sales and studio spaces to support the work of local and national artists and offers mission-related educational programs in schools and underserved communities.
Visitors enjoy viewing innovative exhibitions, visiting artist studios, strolling through the Craft Garden, creating their own crafts in monthly HANDS-ON HOUSTON events, and shopping for one-of-a-kind gifts and home décor in the Asher Gallery.
Located in the Museum District at 4848 Main Street, HCCC is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 AM – 5 PM, and Sunday, 12 – 5 PM. Summer Hours: Closed on Sundays, July 5th – Labor Day. Admission is free. Free parking is available directly behind the facility, off Rosedale and Travis Street. HCCC is three blocks south of Wheeler Ave. MetroRail station on Main Street.
HCCC is funded in part by grants from The Brown Foundation; Houston Endowment, Inc.; Texas Commission on the Arts; the National Endowment for the Arts; the Kinder Foundation; the Morgan Foundation; Windgate Charitable Foundation; and the Wortham Foundation.
Houston Center for Contemporary Craft is funded by grants from the City of Houston through the Houston Arts Alliance and is a participant of the Capacity Building Initiative.
For more information, call 713.529.4848 or visit www.crafthouston.org. Follow HCCC on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram @CraftHouston.
MEDIA CONTACT
Mary Headrick (mheadrick@crafthouston.org)
Communications Director
Houston Center for Contemporary Craft
713.529.4848 x107
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