Event Videos
The following videos can also be viewed on The Wittliff Collections' YouTube Channel.
For videos of the visiting author readings co-sponsored by Texas State's Creative Writing Program at the Wittliff Collections, go to the Front Porch Journal Audio/Video Archives page.
MARCH 31, 2011
BIG BEND | LAND OF THE TEXAS IMAGINATION
This evening celebrating the Spring 2011 literary exhibition at Texas State’s Wittliff Collections included a panel discussion on the topic of Big Bend. Featured panelists included Joe Nick Patoski and photographer Laurence Parent, co-authors of Big Bend National Park and many other books, Barbara “Barney” Nelson, editor of God’s Country or Devil’s Playground: An Anthology of Nature Writing from the Big Bend of Texas, and Marcos Paredes, a long-time National Park Service River Ranger at Big Bend, recently retired. Moderating the discussion was Jake Silverstein, editor of Texas Monthly, who worked as a reporter for the Big Bend Sentinel prior to joining the magazine and writes about the area in his first book, Nothing Happened and Then It Did: A Chronicle in Fact and Fiction.
The Big Bend: Land of the Texas Imagination exhibition and program were presented in support of the 2010–2011 Common Experience theme of “Sustainability” at Texas State University-San Marcos.
FEBRUARY 25, 2011
BITTERSWEET HARVEST | THE BRACERO PROGRAM
The Bittersweet Harvest exhibition reception featuring guest speaker Kristine Navarro-McElhaney, director of the Institute of Oral History at the University of Texas at El Paso, was part of a two-day symposium called “Immigrant America.” The symposium, organized and co-sponsored by the Department of History and the Center for the Study of the Southwest at Texas State University-San Marcos, focused on the history and future of immigration in Texas and the Southwest, especially Hispanic immigration and how it has shaped our society and the implications it holds for the future.
In her presentation at the reception, Ms. Navarro-McElhaney gave an overview of Bittersweet Harvest, then engaged the audience with the importance of collecting oral histories from friends, family members, neighbors and other acquaintences.
NOVEMBER 6, 2010
PAINTED LIGHT | Photographs by KATE BREAKEY
Internationally recognized for her large-scale, richly hand-colored photographs, KATE BREAKEY is the featured speaker for the Painted Light exhibition reception and book launch of the latest title in the Wittliff Collections’ Southwestern & Mexican Photography Book Series. Kate's introduction was made by critic, poet, lecturer, and editor A.D. COLEMAN. Published by the University of Texas Press, Painted Light is available October 2010.
Special thanks to this event's Partner Sponsor: SUSAN CREWS BAILEY.
MAY 1, 2010
THE LIVING SPIRIT OF TEXAS POPULISM
JIM HIGHTOWER was the featured speaker for this day of festivities celebrating the gift of his archive to the Wittliff Collections and the exhibition, Swim Against the Current.
The first of two panel discussions, “Populism in Texas Politics,” featured former Senator FRED HARRIS, JIM CULLEN, editor of the national newspaper Progressive Populist, LINDA CHAVEZ-THOMPSON, former executive VP of the national AFL-CIO, and BOB MOSER, editor of the Texas Observer, who served as moderator.
Discussing “Populism in Texas Culture” were CAROLYN MUGAR, executive director of Farm Aid, editorial cartoonist BEN SARGENT, photographer ALAN POGUE, and TOM PITTMAN, lead man for the Austin Lounge Lizards and host of KUT’s “Folkways.” The moderator was DR. GARY HARTMAN, director of the Center for Texas Music History at Texas State.
JIM HIGHTOWER then rallied the crowd as the featured speaker.
Music was added to the mix with performances by JIMMY LaFAVE, CAROLYN WONDERLAND with SHELLEY KING, and the AUSTIN LOUNGE LIZARDS.
OCTOBER 28, 2009
WOMEN AND PLACE | TWO VOICES, TWO PERSPECTIVES
SUSAN WITTIG ALBERT, founder of the Story Circle Network, reads from her book in the Wittliff’s Southwestern Writers Collection Book Series, Together, Alone: A Memoir of Marriage and Place, published by the University of Texas Press. SUSAN J. TWEIT, a much-published nature writer, reads from her latest memoir, Walking Nature Home, also from UT Press. The two authors also discuss their works and lives and take questions from the audience.
OCTOBER 17, 2009
GRAND REOPENING OF THE WITTLIFF COLLECTIONS
The newly expanded Wittliff Collections were commemorated with a reception and program highlighting their fall literary and photographic exhibitions. Director CONNIE TODD, Alkek Library Associate VP JOAN HEATH and Texas State University President DR. DENISE TRAUTH spoke about the history and future of the Wittliff Collections. Special guest KEITH CARTER was the featured speaker.
OCTOBER 30, 2008
CARMEN TAFOLLA
One of the most anthologized of Latina writers, Dr. Tafolla has published work for both children and adults in more than two hundred anthologies, magazines, journals, textbooks, and readers. Long considered one of the madrinas of Chicana Literature and a master of bilingual code-switching, Tafolla is the author of more than fifteen books, seven screenplays, and numerous articles and essays. She reads from her book, The Holy Tortilla and a Pot of Beans.
YOU’RE INVITED
JOIN THE MAILING LIST TODAY.
VISIT THE WITTLIFF
HOURS + VISITOR INFO
Hours are subject to change during breaks and interim sessions. Closed on holidays. PLEASE CALL AHEAD: 512.245.2313
DIRECTIONS + PARKING
RESEARCH APPOINTMENTS
