THE KEYSTONE

SOUTHWESTERN WRITERS COLLECTION | WITTLIFF GALLERY OF SOUTHWESTERN & MEXICAN PHOTOGRAPHY

SPRING 2006 | SPECIAL COLLECTIONS AT THE ALKEK LIBRARY | WWW. LIBRARY. TXSTATE. EDU/ SPEC- COLL

UNIVERSITY SAN MARCOS from the CURATOR

(right) Black Bear, ¡Saludos! collections of efforts by thousands of people who have An Evening to Celebrate the Images, Literature & Legends of the Southwest & Mexico (this page) Mujer ángel / 1996, Keith Carter Just today I wrote a thank- given of themselves in uncounted ways. People who share Angel Woman by Graciela Iturbide, and (below) Water Presenting Sponsor Principal Promotional Sponsor you letter to members of a love for what Ann Richards called querencia, a place of Sueños de la Cowgirl / Witching, 1996, Cowgirl Dreams, by Keith Carter our newly configured deep meaning and strong fealty, a home; and, further, who Advisory Committee and share a belief that because of these collections people in Bob “Daddy-O” Wade (a full-color photograph was once more struck by the Southwest will lead fuller and richer lives, to on canvas), are two of MARIANA the fact that there are paraphrase J. Frank Dobie, because they will become the many famous-artist YAMPOLSKY & the wonderful people of good aware of what it holds. items up for bid in the THE WITTLIFF gala’s silent auction GALLERY will—both at State I think that collection and archives work is one of the Mariana Yampolsky and outside the university most optimistic things anyone can do—the idea that we was not only one of community—who spend might be able save at least a part of our cultural history Spirit of the greatest their time and efforts on and that there will be a future and people in it who will photographers in our behalf. This is true as well of the committee formed to want to know what’s gone before presupposes a lot. Mexico, she was the help us organize our upcoming anniversary celebration and I also think that the process of making an effort is fairy godmother of the SPIRIT OF fundraiser in May. It’s a great feeling to have the advice and often where the best of life occurs, and I must say that the ON MAY 27, 2006 we will celebrate the Place PLACE GALA Wittliff Gallery’s con- process of shepherding these collections has revealed to COMMITTEE temporary Mexican support of such fine people, and I—and all of us here at 20th anniversary of the Southwestern photography collection. Special Collections—are much obliged. me the noble inclinations of many people. Writers Collection and the 10th Honorary When Connie Todd met As we observe the 20th and 10th anniversaries of the I hope that those who follow and who see the things anniversary of the Wittliff Gallery of Co-Chairs her in Mexico City in Southwestern Writers Collection and Wittliff Gallery, we’ve saved can know us and learn from us, and I further Southwestern & Mexican Photography 1994 and told her of respectively, we can look back and recognize many who hope they take note of not only the great artists with a salute to the cultural legacy of the Ann Richards Bill Wittliff’s idea for a have helped us along the way—with in-kind gifts, cash represented here but also of those fine friends of the literature, film, music and photography Event Co-Chairs southwestern & Mexi- donations, time, advice, and understanding. collections who work to ensure that their legacy abides. preserved by these two archives. The Mary Margaret can photography center We house collections of papers and objects—but also —Connie Todd evening also honors the vision and Farabee at Texas State, she im- creativity of Bill and Sally Wittliff, who Janis Pinnelli mediately understood founded the collections at Texas State Event how important it would University-San Marcos. Committee be. In later talks Rebecca Cohen with Wittliff and The event at the Four Seasons Hotel Todd, she put from the FOUNDER in Austin—emceed by Evan Smith and Eleanor Crook them in touch titled, The Spirit of Place: An Evening To Elizabeth Crook with virtually YEARS AGO when I was “The Wild Woman of the Navidad,” which was the story Celebrate the Images, Literature, and Legends of the planning an extraordinary fine-art silent auction including Donna Hill every outstanding a child my mother ran the that I had first heard as an oral tradition, a folktale. Well, Southwest & Mexico—includes a gourmet dinner and works by Bill Wittliff, Bob “Daddy-O” Wade, Kate Breakey, Tommy Lee Jones photographer in telephone office in Edna, it just set me afire—I had never realized that books, southwestern entertainment. Robb Kendrick, Graciela Iturbide, Keith Carter, Julie Retta Kelley the country. Texas. There was a man in writing, a literature could spring from the very piece of To join us at the fiesta, we have invited Sam Shepard, Speed, Rocky Schenck, and Russell Lee. Tom Kowalski Further, she that town named Tips ground that I had lived on and was still living on. Larry McMurtry, Willie Nelson, Tommy Lee Jones, Bud We hope everyone who is passionate about the cultural Ecky Malick talked to the Westoff who ran the hard- I guess whatever participation Sally and I had in the Shrake, and Jerry Jeff Walker, among others, and are arts and our rich heritage will agree that these Collections Dan Matheson photographers ware store, and he used to creation of this collection comes from that moment, deserve generous support. Funds raised from the Barbara Morgan themselves, and give me old boards and so that it was kind of Dobie’s influence passing event will be used for future acquisitions and to Elizabeth Nash in so doing Jan Pickle authenticated this nails and so on and he through us to this. grow the endowment. unknown gallery to the told me stories. One of the stories he told me was of an I got the itch then, I certainly didn’t have the We would like to thank all the fabulous Peggy Pickle Mexican artistic com- escaped slave woman who lived in the river bottom, the courage to try to write—it wasn’t until I was thirty, I volunteers working on the event steering Jean Rather munity. Thus began the Navidad River bottoms, and the men around there for guess, that I got a single good sentence—but the committee (see sidebar, right)—especially Mary Amalia Rodriguez- Gallery’s collection of years tried to catch her and never could. But they did find spark came from there. My hope for this thing and Margaret Farabee and Janis Pinnelli who are Mendoza contemporary Mexican her tracks, and for a time they found the tracks of a small Sally’s hope for this thing is that, with everybody leading the way for us as co-chairs. John Graves Eddie Safady photography now child with her tracks… but after a while the small tracks else’s help, that spark keeps passing on down, that and Ann Richards, who spoke at the dedication of Gabrielle de Kuyper considered the largest vanished. I guess I must have been six or seven and I was this collection becomes a place of inspiration as well the current Southwestern Writers Collection Sheshunoff and best in the world so hugely and deeply moved by that story of the slave as a place of preservation. facility in 1991, are serving as honorary co-chairs. Evan Smith outside of Mexico itself. woman and her lost child that it became then, and still is, And I want to thank everybody here at the Tables are selling fast. Visit online at Jare Smith a part of me. university and all of you who have given of your time, www.library.txstate.edu/spec.coll for updates, or Cathy Supple Paul Supple ON THE COVER Six or seven years after that, when I was thirteen or your artifacts, your manuscripts, your books and given contact Beverly Fondren at [email protected] Danza de los paragüeros so, an aunt who worked in the book department at of your hearts. Thank you most kindly. —Bill Wittliff or 512.245.9058 for sponsorship opportunities Bonnie Tilton / Dance of the Umbrella Joske’s, in , sent me a copy of J. Frank Dobie’s and ticket information. We’re planning a Reid & Susan Wittliff Vendors, 1991, (at the Southwestern Writers Collection # Caryl Yontz Mariana Yampolsky 2 Tales of Old Time Texas, and in that book was a story called Dedication, October 5, 1991) memorable evening and hope to see you there. 3 ...and TEN YEARS at the Wittliff Gallery LARRY L. KING on the “WE ARE ABOUT TO OPEN on the Gallery’s infancy: “It’s as if SOUTHWESTERN WRITERS formally an archive that is unique in they [Bill and Sally] almost have COLLECTION (left) Founding donors the way it captures, preserves and started a new family. And if, as I have Writers are human, yes; Bill & Sally Wittliff reflects the heart and soul of this read, it’s the nature of society to raise with former University for all their good President Jerry Supple at region,” Texas State University Presi- children…. You have an infant intentions they may the Southwestern Writers dent Jerome Supple stated ten years [and]... every time you look at it, it give themselves the Collection Dedication ago in his introductory comments at makes you remember the small better of it on the page, (below) Authors the dedication of the Wittliff Gallery rhythms of life. Pay attention to the when writing for the Shelby Hearon, Stephen of Southwestern & Mexican Photog- small rhythms of life.” public, and thus report Harrigan, and Sarah less of themselves than Bird—three donors to raphy. On October 5, 1996, he, along In his opening remarks, Bill the SWWC—gave is available for with former Curator of Special Wittliff shared with the audience his readings at the event reporting. If others Collections Dick Holland, photog- optimism for the gallery as the first can see, as well, the rapher Keith Carter, and founding in a state institution devoted solely writer’s original, hen- donors, Bill and Sally Wittliff, cele- to the artistic vision of photog- scratched, uncertain celebrating TWENTY YEARS brated the opening at a public event raphers from the Southwest and manuscripts—some marked by speeches and a ribbon- Mexico. He spoke of the importance published, some not; at the Southwestern Writers Collection cutting. of photographers such as Keith some failed, some not— Keith Carter was one of the first Carter and others in the collection, work by artists in the collection—61 The first photograph to then their creative photographers whose pictures were and the impact their work would at that time. Now the collection has be mounted in the Wittliff flailings or agonies may Gallery was Cosmos, SINCE ITS FOUNDING in 1986, the Writers Collection at Texas State the President’s home. placed in the Wittliff Gallery, and have on aspiring artists: “To other grown to include over 13,000 images 1995, by Keith Carter be better appreciated. Southwestern Writers Collection has culminated in the formal dedication. The christening of the Collec- over the past ten years his collection artists, Keith’s work—and their by 150 photographers. Be sure your Archives made impressive gains, thanks to During that week, Larry L. King tion set a standard. In the years has grown to over 850 images. The work, I think, if they listen—whis- Since 1996, the Wittliff Gallery will find you out! Biting my tongue, I took vague many generous donors and the delivered the university’s annual LBJ since, the SWWC has grown and day of the dedication, Carter ex- pers every time they pass a picture has mounted at least two, and JERRY SUPPLE comfort from William support of Texas State University. Distinguished Lecture to an enthusi- flourished, gaining recognition as pressed his enthusiasm for the and it says to them, “Find your sometimes three, exhibits a year, on the WITTLIFF GALLERY Faulkner’s observation The Collection moved into its astic audience. Writers Sarah Bird, one of the nation’s major reposi- Gallery, saying, “when I come to this work, find your vision. Pass it on. featuring influential photographers that “‘Ode on a Grecian specially-designed quarters in the Stephen Harrigan, and Shelby Hearon tories for regional culture. We are collection…I’m looking for light. I’m Pass it on. Pass it on.” such as Rocky Schenck, Jayne Hinds Here we see the work of Urn’ is worth any Albert B. Alkek Library when the (below right) gave readings, and an grateful for the continued support of looking for electricity. I’m looking to Bill also spoke of growing up in Bidaut, Josephine Sacabo, and Kate master photographers, number of old ladies,” library opened in 1990. The campus exhibit created by Curator Dick Texas State and the magnanimity of be just a little bit better; I’m looking Gregory, Texas, and how his Breakey, to name a few. those artists who discover rather than when I turned over to transition to the new library was Holland showcased many of the rare our many donors and friends. # to learn something.” He also reflected mother, Laura Walser, had instilled Now hailed as the most signif- invent. These masters the Collection thirty-odd marked with a “Book-it Brigade,” in treasures found in the Collection. in him the unshakeable belief in the icant collection of contemporary make photographs, they years of my personal which students, faculty, and staff On the afternoon of Saturday, power of dreams. Looking towards Mexican photography outside of correspondence without don’t take photographs. joined together to pass books across October 5, some 500 people from all her in the audience, Bill said, “The Mexico, the Wittliff Gallery’s vetting a single line... —DR. JEROME SUPPLE, the campus from the old library to the over the country arrived for the Southwestern Writers Collection reputation is gaining momentum this in the interest of Former University new one. The book featured in the dedication ceremony. Larry L. King started out as a dream. The Gallery through its traveling exhibits and its purer truths. President, at the ceremony was the 1555 edition of provided the introduction, John started as a dream. We owe them award-winning book series with UT —LARRY L. KING, Wittliff Gallery Álvar Nuñez Cabeza de Vaca’s La Graves delivered the Dedicatory both to you.” Press, and through the scores of at the Southwestern Dedication, relación y comentarios, which had speech, and Governor Ann Richards The inaugural exhibit was co- visitors and students who visit—here Writers Collection October 5, 1996 Dedication, been gifted to the Southwestern Writ- added her remarks. curated by Bill Wittliff and Mara or online—to learn more about the October 5, 1991 ers Collection in 1989 by Bill and Sally Dr. Jerome Supple presented Levy, and it featured 80 images by photographs, to tour the exhibits, Wittliff and an anonymous donor. Bill and Sally Wittliff with the artists such as Manuel Álvarez and to conduct research using our Cabeza de Vaca’a account, the first university’s highest honor, the Bravo, Russell Lee, Mariana growing reserve library of books, written book on what is now Texas, President’s Excellence Award (see Yampolsky, Graciela Iturbide, Keith journals, and ephemera. As we mark remains a cornerstone of the SWWC. above). That evening, Jerry Jeff Carter, Gerardo Suter, Jim Bones, our 10th anniversary, we celebrate In October 1991, a weeklong Walker, himself a new donor, played and many others. The exhibit our past and look forward to the 4 celebration of the Southwestern at a special party held on the lawn of provided an impressive overview of future as we keep on dreaming. # 5 popularity to argue for civil rights and intellectual freedom. Dobie also believed in equality between the sexes. Included in the exhibit is a letter to his wife Bertha written in 1917, DOBIE DAY! in which Dobie consoles her over the subordinate place of SATURDAY, APRIL 8 women in society and promises that things will get better. the Southwestern J. FRANK He added, “You know my ideas coincide with yours, Writers Collection entirely, without reservation, on these matters.” 861 will host a celebratory is the current (and symposium on J. Frank Dobie: Mr. Texas is scheduled to run through growing) number of DOBIE July 31, 2006, with a program and lunch planned for April J. FRANK DOBIE: generous donors who MR. TEXAS. The 8 (see sidebar, left). The exhibit was selected from our have gifted books, morning will begin at major Dobie archive, along with pieces from a compre- papers, photographs, 10:00 with Assistant R hensive collection of Dobie’s published materials donated and other materials to Curator Steve Davis by Texana collector Al Lowman and his wife Darlyne. the Southwestern interviewing Bill J. Frank Dobie: Mr. Texas was co-curated by Steve Writers Collection and Wittliff about the Dobie MR.TEXAS Davis, Assistant Curator of the Southwestern Writers the Wittliff Gallery of he knew and why the Southwestern & Collection, and Joel Minor, Processing Archivist, with folklorist remains Mexican Photography assistance from Curator Connie Todd and Archives important to Texas. over the past 20 years. Assistants Mary Garcia and Tina Ybarra. # Following a light buffet Most of these lunch and exhibit THE SOUTHWESTERN WRITERS COLLECTION opens individuals—authors, viewing from 11:30 to its twentieth year with J. Frank Dobie: Mr. Texas, an exhibit journalists, screen- 1:00, the afternoon will honoring its inaugural acquisition: the J. Frank Dobie writers, musicians, feature presentations on Papers. “The Writers Collection really began in 1986 when folklorists, editors, Dobie from Mark Bill and Sally Wittliff donated an extraordinary Dobie photographers, Busby, Cathy Supple, collection,” said curator Connie Todd. “And showcasing collectors, and William T. Pilkington, this Dobie archive is the perfect way to celebrate our 20th cultural organiza- and Paul C. Stone. anniversary.” tions—have given Dobie Day is free and multiple donations, “TO STUDY A PROVINCIAL SETTING J. Frank Dobie (1888-1964) was Texas’s most famous open to the public. For and the total number from a provincial point of view is restricting. writer and a colorful personality from the 1920s to the more information, Nobody should specialize on provincial of in-kind gifts tops check the Southwestern 1960s. Known as “Mr. Texas,” Dobie helped define the writings before he has the perspective that 3,330! These materials Writers Collection state in the popular imagination. He published tales of only a good deal of good literature and wide entrusted to Special website at cowboys, lost gold mines, and figures from “old-time” Collections (see the history can give…. www.swwc.txstate.edu. Texas. He also chronicled the state’s natural history, writing most recent gifts on “I have never had any idea of writing or books about longhorns, mustangs, coyotes, and rattle- page 11) support our teaching about my own section of the country snakes. Dobie was a long-time professor at the University research and teaching merely as a patriotic duty. Without apologies, of Texas at Austin, where he championed “Southwestern missions, and are I would interpret it because I love it, because Studies” and academic freedom, noting that “only free made available to it interests me, talks to me, appeals to my minds ever created anything beautiful.” faculty, students, and (above) The folklorist in researchers. Many are imagination, warms my emotions; also because J. Frank Dobie: Mr. Texas—the Southwestern Writers his study, ca. 1950s, by it seems to me that other people living in the also made accessible Bill Malone (copy print Collection’s first exhibition of its Dobie collection—presents to a wider public by Bill Wittliff) Southwest will lead fuller and richer lives if artifacts, photographs, and manuscripts highlighting distinct through our exhibits (opposite, clockwise they become aware of what it holds…. aspects of Dobie’s life. Among the treasures on display are and publications. Our from top) J. Frank Dobie “By “literature of the Southwest” I mean Dobie’s 1914 diary kept while he was a graduate student at success depends on in Mexico, 1929; a page writings that interpret the region, whether from the 1932-1933 Columbia University, which captures the exact moment he our donors, and as we they have been produced by the Southwest or “Saltillo” diary he kept realized his future lay in collecting the stories of Texas and observe our 20th and in Mexico; snapshot of not. Many of them have not. What we are the Southwest. Dobie’s white linen suit, his desk, typewriter, 10th anniversaries, we Dobie in his trademark interested in is life in the Southwest, and any also celebrate their linen suit and World War I uniform are just a few of the items that give interpreter of that life, foreign or domestic, generous spirit. All three photographs, the visitors a very personal view of the man. Exhibit visitors can ancient or modern, is of value.” Thank you! diary, and the suit are on hear Dobie’s voice from the sound recording “The Ghost Bull display in the exhibit of the Mavericks and other Tales.” (right) The paisano —J. FRANK DOBIE, from Life and The exhibit also draws attention to his progressive (roadrunner), Dobie’s Literature of the Southwest spirit. “I have come to value liberated minds as the supreme signature symbol, adorned his stationery 6 good of life on earth,” Dobie said, and he used his personal 7 J. FRANK DOBIE, it was said, liked to write with his hat on, as we see in this informal photo of him at work in his Austin office at 702 Park Place—his and Bertha’s long-time residence—now home to UT’s Michener Center for Writers on what is now East Dean Keeton Street. Dobie had the large table in the photograph made out of mesquite boards salvaged from the Bee County courthouse, which was also the original location of the Special Collections keystone. The desk on the left was his office desk when he was a professor at the University of Texas. It is featured in our current exhibit J. Frank Dobie: Mr. Texas [on loan from Bill & Sally Wittliff]. Also on exhibit is the typewriter [donated by Kathleen Collins] Dobie is using—apparently with the “hunt and peck” method.

J. Frank Dobie in his study, n.d., by Bill Malone (copy print by Bill Wittliff) recent ACQUISITIONS

(this page) Courage at the Typewriter panelists, at the SOUTHWESTERN from left to right: Steve Davis (moderator), Celia WRITERS COLLECTION Morris, Benjamin Alire The Collection currently comprises over 5,220 linear Sáenz, Beverly Lowry feet of materials from the region’s authors, screen- REAVIS writers, and songwriters. Recent acquisitions listed ARCHIVES IN PROCESS (opposite page, top) below represent additions to the Collection from Dick J. Reavis, on Archivist Joel August through December 2005. # THOMAS (DOC) assignment for his Texas Minor is Monthly article “How ON NOVEMBER 10, 2005, in support of Texas State’s she was the first woman to tour as a public speaker, she HAMILTON donated an extensive collection of currently They Ruined Our Common Experience theme of “Courage,” the South- was the first woman to say that women were men’s equals audiocassettes containing recordings of live bluegrass processing the Prisons,” ca. 1984, western Writers Collection presented a panel discussion and they ought to act like it and be treated like it.” Morris performances and jam sessions from artists such as Bill by Fred Woodward papers of Dick and book signing with three award-winning writers: Celia added, “I’ve gotten courage in my personal life just by Monroe, the Stanley Brothers, the Nashville Bluegrass J. Reavis, the (opposite, bottom) Tom “Stretch” Morris, Benjamin Alire Sáenz, and Beverly Lowry. writing about people who were heroines.” Band, Doyle Lawson, Lynn Morris, Ricky Skaggs, award-winning Bowerman, XI Ranch, Benjamin Alire Sáenz said, “My characters are always Alison Krauss, Flatt and Scruggs, and Del McCoury. Texas journalist by Robb Kendrick much more virtuous than I am…. There is such a thing in [Gift of Hamilton] # Additional materials relating to and ephemera documenting his military career and and former writing as courage. But I think it is in having the the writing career of DICK REAVIS (above right) various organizational affiliations. Also included are Senior Editor at Texas discipline to make it art in our work. I have to be a good include newspaper clippings and photographs research materials, posters, drawings, and printed Monthly. Already a veteran agitator for COURAGE enough writer to wed my politics to my aesthetic…it has documenting his civil rights activities, newsletters, items. [Gift of Lindley] # BILL WITTLIFF donated social justice by his taken me a long time to arrive at a politics I can live with articles, and writing samples. (See sidebar, right). [Gift materials relating to BUD SHRAKE and his manuscript mid-20s, Mr. Reavis at the typewriter # and embrace, and I am not going to leave that behind just of Reavis] Materials relating to BUD SHRAKE and Custer’s Brother’s Horse, plus various newspaper turned to a career in for the sake of publishing a novel at Harper-Collins.” GARY CARTRIGHT’s legal suit against Cliff Robert- clippings, WILLIE NELSON & FAMILY itineraries, reporting in the early Moderator Steve Davis, Assistant Curator of the SWWC, Beverly Lowry discussed her recent book on son. Items include legal files in reference to the film, J. and memorabilia from The Perfect Storm. [Gift of Bill & 1970s out of a desire introduced each panelist and noted that courageous writing Madame C. J. Walker, her forthcoming biography of W. Coop. [Gift of David Richards] # Additional papers Sally Wittliff] for adventure and “challenges peoples’ assumptions, and the three terrific Harriet Tubman, and the Mississippi roots that drew her from the 1960s and 1970s continue to strengthen the truth-seeking. The writers we have here today are excellent examples of that.” to such subjects. Lowry seemed to sum up the feelings of GROVER LEWIS collection, including newspapers materials Mr. Reavis Celia Morris pointed out that the subject of her first each writer when she said, “The people I’ve written documenting the Kennedy assassination and sub- at the WITTLIFF GALLERY has donated to the ADVISORY Southwestern Writers COMMITTEE book, Fanny Wright, “made me into a feminist…She was about have shown a lot more courage than I have in sequent investigation, as well as correspondence, Holdings now include more than 13,000 photographs the first woman in America to act publicly against slavery, writing about them.” # notes, and material related to both published and and over 150 artists. Recent purchases include works Collection contain New Members many highlights of his Sarah Bird unpublished articles for Movieline and New by AVE BONAR, KATE BREAKEY, JAMES EVANS, storied career, Ave Bonar West/California magazines. Also in this gift are various and HECTOR GARCÍA. # LEE FRIEDLANDER is a Stephen Clark including his first- Nancy Coplin personal artifacts such as eyeglasses, press passes, new artist in the collection, with the purchase of two hand reportage of Bill Cunningham audio cassettes, and a 1979 pocket diary. [Gift of Rae images including Canyon de Chelly, Arizona Texan-Mexican border Jim Dauterive ADVISORY COMMITTEE increases to 28 Lewis] # Several additions to the LARRY L. KING (1993/2005). # Also purchased: two photographs by issues, peasant Faustinus Deraet Dr. Miriam Echeverria archives feature correspondence LARRY CLARK from his Tulsa guerillas in Latin Dagoberto Gilb IN 2002, William Broyles, Jr., Dr. continuing involvement of Bill and staff and holdings, then discussed with family members and series taken in the 1960s and America, and an Dr. Miguel González- Mark Busby, Elizabeth Crook, Dr. Sally, and Special Collections current activities, goals for 2006, friends documenting political ’70s # all 87 ROBB KENDRICK outlaw motorcycle Gerth gang in Fort Worth. Tom Grimes Laura Gutierrez-Witt, Pablo Ortiz Curator Connie Todd (ex-officio), and upcoming events, including the matters, King’s publishing photographs published in his Best represented in the Dr. Michael Hall Monasterio, DJ Stout, Kathy Vargas, the new and returning committee May 27th Anniversary Gala. career, and personal interests. latest book, Revealing Charac- Stephen Harrigan Bill and Sally Wittliff, and Connie members (see sidebar, left) make up Afterwards the group toured the [Gift of King] # The ters: Texas Tintypes (Bright Sky collection is his in- Retta Kelley depth investigation Todd came together as the first a strong core of artists, educators, state-of-the-art archive storage cancellation (premature, as it Press, 2005) # and 70 works Dr. Sandra Mayo into the 1993 Branch Joe Nick Patoski formal advisory committee for the donors, and professionals who facilities. The meeting adjourned turns out) of the FOX television by GRACIELA ITURBIDE. # Davidian stand-off for John Payne Southwestern Writers Collection believe in the worthy missions of the with lunch in the Wittliff Gallery, series KING OF THE HILL Recent gifts include photo- Alan Pogue his book The Ashes of Jan Reid and the Wittliff Gallery. This group Southwestern Writers Collection which allowed the committee to resulted in our acquisition of a graphs from STEPHEN L. Waco, and his year- Jane Sumner served as consultants to the and Wittliff Gallery. This expanded enjoy the newly opened La Vida major archive of scripts, produc- CLARK and over 56 prints by long “National Tour of Cathy Supple Collections on various issues and group will continue to help us think Brinca exhibit. tion materials, video cassettes, ROCKY SCHENCK from Bill & Texas” story for Texas Tita Valencia # Eric Williams worked to create our first vision through and elaborate plans of We would like to extend our and ephemera related to the Sally Wittliff. Recent loans Monthly, when he traveled every Returning Members statements. For their service, many action that will advance the great appreciation to each of our show (see page 14). [Donated from Bill & Sally Wittliff include Dr. Mark Busby contributions, and friendship, we Collections and point us to advisory members for their time and through the efforts of Jim photographs by LARRY CLARK, highway mile of the Elizabeth Crook are deeply grateful. ultimately greater achievement. support, and look forward to Dauterive] # Additions to the FLOR GARDUÑO, and KATI Lone Star State. Kathy Vargas Bill & Sally Wittliff This year the committee is The first meeting took place on working with them in this THOMAS RICKS LINDLEY HORNA, and the photogravure Ex officio expanding from its original nine February 24th. Members were given anniversary year filled with am- papers include official records, Buffalo Dance at Hano by Connie Todd (curator) 10 members to 28. Along with the an introduction to the Collection bitious and exciting projects. # correspondence, photographs, EDWARD S. CURTIS. # 11 ARTIST’S DARKENED CHAMBER, a tiny hole on one side to let in the sun’s light, an image of the world outside suddenly, RECENT AWARDS RECEPTION & magically appearing within. That is a camera. This simple instrument for duplicating what the eye sees has been known Texas Assoc. of Museum BOOK LAUNCH since the early fifteenth century, but solving the mystery of how to chemically fix and preserve that transient image— Wilder Design Awards Please join us as we how to make a photograph—took another three hundred years. given to the WG/SWWC: celebrate LA VIDA BRINCA: Tragaluz There is something about the La Vida Brinca pictures, however, that leaves you with the haunting impression that Animalerie designed by Photographs by Bill those three hundred years never took place. The images projected into Bill Wittliff’s pinhole camera are still fleeting; the DJ Stout & Julie Wittliff on SATURDAY, search for a way to capture light does not yet seem to have been entirely successful. All that can be recorded are ambi- Savasky of Pentagram, MARCH 25. The guous shapes and ghostly tracks of light, faces distorted into eerie power and prominence, patterns suggesting things we published by UT Press: evening includes a know we have seen but cannot quite remember. Everything is familiar but nothing is clear. The world seems to be dis- Gold Citation reception at 7:00 pm solving in front of us to offer a view of another world that is far less fixed, that will not sit still to have its picture taken. Animalerie Exhibit and an informal dis- The yearning to break through to this hidden world is so strong in Wittliff’s work that looking at these photographs Reception Invite cussion and Q&A at sometimes feels like attending a séance. There is a conjuring magic at work here, for which the sophisticated camera designed by Michele 8:00 pm with Bill Miller: Gold technology of the twenty-first century would be useless. By profession, Bill Wittliff is an A-list screenwriter whose many Wittliff, and authors of Animalerie Exhibit the book’s introductory indelible credits include The Black Stallion, Lonesome Dove, Legends of the Fall, and The Perfect Storm. It is impossible to Brochure designed by essays, Stephen operate in his particular tier of the movie-making arena without a real-world knowingness, a cagey understanding of Michele Miller: Silver Harrigan and Elizabeth career leverage and status anxiety and gross points–versus–net points. But as anyone who has ever gone water-witching Ferrer. A book signing with Wittliff on his Plum Creek Vaquero Fundraiser will follow. Books Ranch can testify, he has a mystical Invite designed by Michele Miller: Silver will be for sale and divining sense as well. So it’s no (UT Press, $50, great surprise that he would eventu- We shared in the TAM 12"x12" 192 pp., ally find his way, in his photography, Wilder Poster Awards hardcover); with Professor Mark to the pinhole camera. It is as simple proceeds benefit LA VIDA BRINCA Todd in Art & Design a tool as the copper rods he holds in the Gallery. (and his students) and Stephen Harri- his hands to find water, with no Professor Tom Grimes in gan is a distin- TRAGALUZ PHOTOGRAPHS BY f–stops or flash attachments or digital storage cards to distract from the Creative Writing: guished writer primal wonder of an image trapped in a box. Carolyn Forché Poster whose books Wittliff’s characteristically numinous name for his pinhole cameras is by Shay Isdale: Silver include Gates of tragaluces—light swallowers. He makes them himself. His first camera Tim O’Brien Poster the Alamo, A was a cut-down pie tin with a needle hole punched into its center that he Natural State, and by Cheri Fojtick: Silver duct-taped to a cardboard box with a piece of photo paper inside. Over Water and Light; BILL WITTLIFF W. S. Merwin Poster by the years he has gotten more sophisticated, scavenging in junk shops and the Southwestern Salomon Soza: Merit Writers Collec- thrift stores for old camera bodies so that he can use roll film instead of Roddy Doyle Poster tion is proud to photo paper, and knocking out their lenses so he can by Mark Todd: Merit house his major use the shutters . . . . The pinhole itself is not a lens, archives. it’s a portal—patiently open, steadily absorbing. This year marked our Elizabeth Ferrer, During the long exposures—sometimes up to thirty first entrance into the CASE (Council for the former director of seconds or even more—images register inside the Advancement And the Austin camera with the same sort of spooky neutrality with Museum of Art, Support of Education) which dreams appear in a sleeping mind. . . . is a specialist in District IV Awards: As technically primitive as Bill Wittliff’s tragaluz Mexican art and The Keystone (Fall 03, photographs are, they are as penetrating in their way photography, and an Spring 04, Fall 04) independent curator as an electron microscope, seeing what human eyes by Michele Miller: and author based in can’t, revealing ever-deeper layers of reality. La Vida Grand Award New York City. Brinca means, literally, “life jumps.” Life shifts and Roddy Doyle Poster skitters; it won’t stay in place. And the life that Bill by Mark Todd: (above) Life Jumps / Wittliff wants us to consider in these pictures is one Achievement Award La vida brinca, 2002 where many worlds are possible at once, where W. S. Merwin Poster (middle) The Girl in the reassuring touchstones are likely to dissolve, and by Salomon Soza: Mask / La chica where the unseen is always startlingly on view. # enmascarada, 2003 Special Award (right) The Mariachi —Excerpt from the essay, “Bill Wittliff’s Hidden World” Mark Todd’s Richard Francisco / El mariachi by STEPHEN HARRIGAN, from La Vida Brinca Ford Poster honored by Francisco, 1998 12 (University of Texas Press, February 2006) 13 PRINT Design Annual from the ARCHIVES

(right) Preservation photo IN AUGUST OF 2005, Curator conjunction with a move, they are THE KEYSTONE of one of four whiteboards Connie Todd received a call from Jim often lost for good, relegated to the is published by the transported from the King Alkek Library of the Hill offices, illus- Dauterive, a good friend and donor to shredder, or parceled out willy-nilly. trating the 40-week time- the Southwestern Writers Collection, This would likely have been the fate of Department of Special line for the production of and a writer/producer on the Fox the King of the Hill archives if it hadn’t Collections at Texas just one episode. [Artist State University-San unknown] In addition to Studios animated television series, been for Jim’s belief in the historical Marcos, a member the whiteboards, the King of the Hill, co-created by Mike and literary value of the show’s of the Texas State SWWC acquired writers’, Judge and Greg Daniels. The much records, and his determination that final, recording, and University System and beloved and award-winning show had these papers find a permanent home. animatic drafts of every an equal opportunity episode, storyboards, educational institution. memos, and other materials documenting the Dr. Denise Trauth popular series set in the archives & archives accessories President, Texas State fictional, yet recognizable, University-San Marcos town of Arlen, Texas. (below) “Life sized” Dr. Van Wyatt cardboard cut-outs of KING OF THE HILL Vice President, propane and propane- Information Technology accessories salesman, Joan Heath Hank Hill, and his son, been cancelled by Fox and the Having begun donating his own “that boy ain’t right” Assistant Vice President, Bobby, by Mike Judge production offices were to be closed. papers in 1999, Jim had first-hand University Library The staff had only a few short months knowledge of the scope of our INSTRUCTING to vacate the Century City suite they’d collections and the unique contribu- STAFF ILLUMINATING occupied since the show’s debut in tion that the King of the Hill archives INSPIRING Connie Todd, Curator, 1997. (Happily, Fox has recently would make to the “spirit of place.” The Southwestern Special Collections Writers Collection requested 20 more episodes.) Although Arlen is a fictional Texas [email protected] preserves and exhibits As one might imagine, moves are town, its locale, characters, and cul- Steve Davis, Assistant literary papers and a common motivating factor for ture are easily recognizable and have Curator, Southwestern memorabilia from the materials to be deposited in an earned a place in television history. Writers Collection region’s leading archives, regardless of whether they No one will easily forget Hank’s [email protected] writers, filmmakers, comprise someone’s personal papers dedication to propane and propane Carla Ellard, Assistant and musicians, or the records of a company or accessories, Peggy’s passion for Curator, Wittliff Gallery creating a rich institution. If they are not donated in substitute teaching and BoggleTM, and research environment [email protected] Bobby’s driving desire to become a devoted to the cultural Beverly Fondren Illustrator unknown arts of the Southwest. prop comic. The supporting charac- Development Officer The Wittliff Gallery, ters in the show are equally memo- [email protected] a photo archive and rable: conspiracy theory-plagued bug Mary García creative center focused exterminator, Dale; Bill, the unhap- (animated) suburban life in Texas was programs, and broadside posters, and with Jim that they were worth holding asked incredulously, clearly at a loss. Office Manager, LAII on Mexico and the pily-divorced army barber; and like at the turn of the twenty-first they are generally collected in on to. It was just a matter of figuring Finally, a conservator we’d been [email protected] Southwest, showcases unintelligible lady’s man, Boomhauer. century. archives because of some association out how to get them from Los Angeles referred to suggested using a fine-art Michele Miller the works of distin- And now, with writers’, final, Along with all the scripts and to a person, event, or subject. There is to San Marcos without erasing them! I shipper to build crates for the boards guished artists whose Marketing & recording, and animatic drafts of every production records documenting the nothing, except perhaps a chalkboard went out to Los Angeles and worked and pack them in the same way one images delight and Media Relations Illustrated episode, storyboards, memos, and show, there were a few other items Jim or writing slate, that is by definition as with Jim and other KOTH staffers to might a fragile charcoal drawing. We inspire those explor- [email protected] by Mike other materials documenting the thought we’d be interested in: a ephemeral as a whiteboard. help select what was appropriate for settled on that approach, deciding we ing the visual heritage Judge Joel Minor, Processing popular series preserved number of four-foot by six-foot Developed as a writing surface for our collection, to arrange for ship- could use the crates for the of the regions. These Archivist, Southwestern two counterparts of in the Southwestern whiteboards that had hung in the erasable markers, the whiteboard, or ping, and to size up the whiteboards. whiteboards’ permanent storage. So, Writers Collection the Albert B. Alkek Writers Collection, writer’s room and contained text and dry-erase board, was designed to be Queries to other archives profes- within weeks, the whiteboards [email protected] Library Department of future generations sketches documenting the show’s wiped clean after use, and then used sionals, discussions with conserva- arrived via eighteen-wheeler at the Katie Salzmann, Lead Special Collections at will have the production history. again. The way the writers of King of tors, and even a phone call to a loading dock of our archives—safe Archivist, Southwestern Texas State University- opportunity to Archival repositories have always the Hill used these boards was unique, company that makes whiteboards, and sound. As an added preservation San Marcos bring alive Writers Collection discover these collected ephemera, items created for and the text and images on the boards yielded little advice about how to caution, we immediately photo- “the spirit of place” [email protected] characters and a specific purpose and meant to be tell as much about their creative preserve the boards. “You want to graphed the boards to record their for students, scholars, Tina Ybarra perhaps learn a discarded after use. Typically, these process as they do the production of keep the ink on the board perma- informational content. # writers, artists, and the Archives Assistant, LAIII community at-large. 14 little bit about what rarities include ticket stubs, receipts, the show. We immediately agreed nently?” the whiteboard company rep —Katie Salzmann 15 [email protected] Click THE KEYSTONE to read the title’s story: FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, UNLESS NOTED www.library.txstate.edu/ exhibits & events CALENDAR ALKEK LIBRARY | 7TH FLOOR | TEXAS STATE spec-coll EDITOR Connie Todd on exhibit april may E-MAIL [email protected] Southwestern Writers 4 MARJORIE PERLOFF 27 The “SPIRIT OF Collection DESIGNER lectures for the English PLACE” GALA at the Four Michele Miller ONGOING Dept’s Therese Kayser Seasons in Austin celebrates LONESOME DOVE Lindsey/Katherine Anne the 20th & 10th anniver- LOCATION REVISITED Props, costumes, Porter Series. Book signing saries of the Southwestern Special Collections and photographs, and other items to follow. 3:30 pm Writers Collection & the its galleries are on the from the CBS film rotate in To Knock (Llamar) Mexico, 1999 Wittliff Gallery. Celebrity Bill Wittliff (detail) Alkek Library’s seventh two exhibits. 5 MFA Students Poetry guests & a not-to-be-missed floor at Texas State & Fiction Reading. 5pm silent auction. (See p. 3) University-San Marcos FEB 1 – JULY 31, 2006 Call for ticket information: J. FRANK DOBIE: MR. TEXAS “DOBIE DAY” TOURS & INFO march 8 512-245-9058. This major retrospective from Presentations on J. Frank 512-245-2313 the SWWC archives celebrates 25 RECEPTION & Dobie & an interview with HOURS the man who was the state’s BOOK LAUNCH for LA Bill Wittliff about the Dobie Exhibits dominant literary/cultural VIDA BRINCA. Informal he knew, & why the folk- Mon/Tue/Fri 8–5 figure for almost half of the discussion + Q&A with lorist remains important to Wed/Thur 8–7 twentieth century (see p. 6). Stephen Harrigan, Elizabeth Texas. (Sidebar, p. 6) Sat 9–5 / Sun 2–6 Program on April 8. Ferrer, & photographer Bill Archives & Reading Wittliff. Book signing after. 13 TIM O’BRIEN, Texas Room Mon/Tue/Fri 8–5 (Sidebar, p. 12) State Mitte Chair in Creative Wed/Thur 8–7 7 pm / Program 8 pm Writing, reads and hosts a (Please call ahead to Q&A. Book signing to tours & verify / Closed during 29 Readings by follow. 3:30 pm. presentations breaks & holidays) MICHAEL JAIME- BECERRA, CHRISTINE ADAM ZAGAJEWSKI BRING YOUR GROUP for ADMISSION 20 GRANADOS, & ALEJAN- reads for the English Dept’s a closer look at the exhibits, Exhibits are free. Dobie’s visa to Mexico, 1932 (detail) DRO ESPINOZA. Q&A to Therese Kayser Lindsey/ archives, or prints. Call 512-245-2313 to make an ONLINE (Directions, Wittliff Gallery follow. Sponsored by the parking & archive info) English Dept. 3:30 pm Series. Q&A + book signing appointment and we’ll be www.library.txstate.edu/ FEB 18 – SEPT 6, 2006 to follow. 5 pm happy to lead a tour or spec-coll LA VIDA BRINCA / LIFE create a presentation around JUMPS Always evocative, 27 MARK GIMENEZ, your area of interest. often revelatory, Bill Wittliff’s Texas State graduate, reads RECEIVE exhibition of pinhole-camera from his well-received first THE KEYSTONE online: photographs coincides with book, The Color of Law. Co- Join the mailing list: his second book with the sponsored by the SWRHC. directions, hours, www.library.txstate.edu/ University of Texas Press. Book signing after. 3 pm. & calendar updates spec-coll (See p. 12) Reception & www.library.txstate.edu/spec-coll 512-245-2313 Book Launch March 25.

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