One of the LEAP Ambassadors’ beloved bookstores for murder mystery enthusiasts is Murder by the Book, where we had the opportunity to meet the wonderful author Wendy Walker at her book signing. Known for her psychological thriller novels, she is currently on a book tour for her latest release, “What Remains.”
To dive deeper into the book and explore Wendy Walker’s background and writing techniques, Dr. Ashley Winstead, also an author, was on hand to moderate a discussion. Dr. Winstead, as it turns out, was an excellent interviewer.
The inspiration behind Walker’s book was a tragic shooting at King Soopers in Colorado in 2021. This event sparked ideas for the plot, which the author was able to expand and feature a female detective faced with the difficult decision of saving one life at the cost of taking another.
Although the book has intense moments, the structure alternates intensity with more contemplative and investigative elements. According to Walker, this technique was employed to add depth to the narrative, give readers a break from the intensity, and to explore deeper themes.
Walker also drew on her background in family law, which gave her insight into trauma, human nature, and family dynamics. These themes are prevalent throughout the novel, and Walker added additional layers of psychological drama, which, in her words, she “geeks out” over.
During the Q&A period, LEAP Ambassador Olivia Discon asked whether it was surreal to hear your characters’ voices portrayed by actors on audiobook after months of imagining what the characters’ voices, inflections, and verbal mannerisms.
Following the formal event, we had a chance to chat with Ms. Walker and Dr. Winstead. We reminded Ms. Walker that LEAP students had attended one of her book talks in 2017!
So, we enjoyed another photo with Ms. Walker–and, this time, with Dr. Winstead as well. Perhaps we’ll do the same at her next release!
Merus Grill
Michelle Cardenas
After getting our books signed and taking selfies with author Wendy Walker, we headed to Merus Grill in Uptown Houston for dinner. For starters, we indulged in perfectly fire-grilled artichokes and a delicious Avocado Bomb. We were all very big fans of the flavor combinations, and we were eager to dig into our main entrees.
Yvette had the Southern Salad, and Professor Yawn and Stephanie split the Grilled Trout meanwhile Ingrid, Oliva, and I ordered the Old Fashioned Cheeseburger.
Following our main entrees we decided to partake in a sweet treat by ordering the Carrot Cake and “The Very Best Chocolate Cake” served with vanilla ice cream. The dishes and dessert were all very delicious and satisfied all of our expectations.
After sharing a couple stories and conversing at the dinner table we parted ways and concluded yet another successful LEAP event.
The Wynne Home has been very active this month, hosting many wonderful artists and speakers from the community to raise cultural awareness and highlight some of the wonderful talent we have in town. And this week, the Wynne Home featured Grady Hillman and his 1984 award-winning film “Lions, Parakeets, and Other Prisoners,” depicting the complexities of incarceration through poetry.
Many of our city’s key figures were in attendance; Sarah Faulkner, the Cultural Services Director for the City of Huntsville; Tammy Gann, the Economic Director, City Manager Aron Kulhavy, Dr. Ralph and Mrs. Linda Pease; Dr. Carolina Crimm; Kristie Stevens, a writer for the Huntsville Item; and Cheryl Spencer and Dr. Joe Kirkland.
Professor Mike Yawn started off the night with an astounding anecdote, recounting one of his only memories as a sixth-grader, a bomb threat at his school. The students were moved to a safe location, where a poet was brought in to entertain the 1,600 restless, rowdy, and unruly children during the delay. That poet, hired at the time by Linda Pease, was in fact Grady Hillman! Funnily enough, Hillman could not only recall that day, but he wrote a poem about the entire endeavor– and he happened to have that poem with him! He asked Yawn to recite this poem, and the two of them relived that day more than 40 years ago, adding in commentary as appropriate. As an audience member, I felt very lucky to have witnessed such a moment.
Hillman introduced the critically-acclaimed docu-drama’s background, of course, highlighting the city of Huntsville. The film depicts the Walls, Wynne, and Eastham Units, centered around a poetry class Hillman lead in our local prisons.
Consisting pieces of poetry written and reenacted by Hillman’s students, the film captured the emotions of an incarcerated person’s experience, transcending the class meetings altogether. The title of the film is even a reference to two of poems read during the film in which two animals, lions and parakeets, are assigned to their respective cages. I must admit, my favorite detail within the film was its rhythm, which made both the dialogue and the poetry all the more profound. One of the most special parts of the night was when the credits started rolling, with the audience members seeing the names of longtime friends in the community.
Hillman concluded the night with an informational on his newest book, “Arts in Corrections: Thirty Years of Annotated Publications,” an annotation on the arts and education programs in the prison system, which is on sale at the Wynne Home.
Interestingly, in 2012, Hillman suffered a stroke that left him unable to write, read, and speak. After doing intensive therapies to regain those abilities, he has, he noted, become an editor of his own work. Going over his life’s activities and curating them, and the presentation of “Lions, Parakeets, and Other Prisoners” is part of that process. We were fortunate to be a part of it.
After the event, Hillman was generous enough to sign books. When I went to get my book signed, we had the opportunity to speak about the culture of each individual prison. Having visited 16 prisons from 1981-1984 alone, Hillman noted that his experiences were each unique to the prison. He did note, since he began the writing courses in Huntsville, that within the first year working there he knew most of the problems within the prison, the second year he knew how to solve the problems, and within the third year the problems changed, and he couldn’t even recall the initial problems.
It was truly a pleasure to get a glimpse into the immense experience and talent of Grady Hillman. We were further reminded of just how rich and deep the culture of Huntsville possesses, appreciating just how special of a time we all shared reflecting on it.
After a long night of planning and work, the LEAP Ambassadors began their second day of the retreat. Our plan was to go to the Stark House in Orange, but an event they were hosting precluded tours, so audibled and went to….
Tyrrell Park
By Ingrid Cuero
Starting off our second day strong, we headed to Tyrrell Park in Beaumont, Texas to reinforce our technical skills in outdoor photography. After familiarizing ourselves with a few of the photography basics, such as the exposure triangle, we had the ability to focus on the subjects of our photos as opposed to how to capture them.
Delving deeper into our understanding of photography, we realized the importance of patience when working with wildlife and its unpredictable nature. Although the park featured a large marsh, it turned into a beautiful scene of illuminated waters with alligators, interesting landscapes, and stationary, singing red-winged black birds.
With the adjusting of our camera settings, we were able to capture some beautiful pictures of Purple Gallinules, Egrets, Ibises and Swallows.
I was able to get a great shot of a Great Blue Skimmer, its translucent wings appearing ever-so-slightly against the lily pads.
Many, if not all LEAP Ambassadors walked away with pictures they were proud of, becoming acclimated to the qualities of a good photo. We thoroughly enjoyed the chance to work at different points of the day with various creatures to truly improve our skills.
The Stark Museum
By Olivia Discon
After a trip to Tyrrell Park, where we took photographs of a new frontier (for us, that is), we traveled to the Stark Museum to gain deeper knowledge of early Western art. Upon arriving in Orange, Texas, we spotted, by chance, a James Surls piece on Lamar-Orange’s campus! We took advantage of this unique opportunity and snapped a couple selfies and photographs in front of the piece.
It didn’t take long to realize the prominence of the Stark name in this town, as we passed by the Lutcher (Stark) Theater and the massive, historically preserved Victorian family home. The Stark Home gave the group a sense of great anticipation for the museum!
We were able to see the lavish, custom Ford Model-Ts that William Henry Stark drove almost immediately after entering; giving us the impression that this museum would have an extensive and captivating collection. However, we hadn’t anticipated how true that was!
To our surprise, some of the first works we looked at in the Western Art gallery were of the same birds we took pictures of at Tyrrell Park, all done by John James Audubon!
Some key figures of the Western art movement are Frederic Remington, Albert Bierstadt, and Thomas Moran, all of which were featured in the American Western gallery.
We were able to experience some introductory Bierstadt pieces yesterday at the MFAH, but the opportunity to immerse ourselves in a specific niche of art history was incredible. Morgan especially enjoyed “White Mountains, Mount Adams”…
…a study of mountains done with oil paint on cardboard, as well as John James Audubon’s personal copy of “The Birds of America” prints.
A work that resonated with Ingrid was “Indian Women Playing Ball on the Prairie” by Seth Eastman, providing an undertone of unfounded commentary for the time period. The painting depicts a swap of gender norms, depicting the women playing lacrosse, and the men idly chatting and spectating the game. The gallery had several amazing pieces that highlighted the allure of the unknown, further romanticizing the idea of westward expansion.
An artist we enjoyed thoroughly without encountering his work before was William Herbert Dunton; a Western artist with several black and white paintings on display. Yvette preferred “The Landing of the American Troops Near Guanica”, and I enjoyed “My Son–My Only Son–is a Coward”. Both pieces had incredible depth and shadowing, which enhanced the emotional and imaginative value of the paintings within the gray-scale.
The Indian American exhibit was another favorite of the LEAP Ambassadors, which was of great interest to Western artists in their own exhibition. However, the innate diversity of Native American art was mesmerizing in its own right. The oil paintings, textiles, and sculptures had an enthralling vibrancy about them, which provided a great contrast to the black and white gallery wall of the Western Art exhibition.
While we weren’t able to take a picture of the painting, we were able to see a Georgia O’Keeffe “Gerald’s Tree”! Consisting of a dying cedar tree on a Western landscape in New Mexico, the highly notable appearance pleasantly surprised us.
What stood out to me the most was a traveling exhibition on display: “Hunting Pictures from the Collection of the Sarah Campbell Blaffer Foundation”. Game hunting was considered a sport of nobility for upper class citizens to indulge in during the 1700’s, as prohibition laws surrounding hunting were relenting over time. This is reflected in the portraiture of the elites of society, as several paintings included hunting dogs and hunted game alongside the subject.
This museum, as Professor Yawn noted during the visit, has an impressive collection relative to the size of the town. The subject matter allowed us to gain insight into the historical perspective of some early explorers and indigenous people who essentially founded one of America’s first art movements, leaving us with a newfound appreciation for the era and its artists.
Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge
By Yvette Mendoza
Continuing our adventure through the coastal wetlands of East Texas, we embarked on our next voyage to Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge. It was a treat to observe how our knowledge of the animals expanded, connecting the ones we saw in Tyrrell Park with those that soar high above the marsh and lurk in the swamps of Anahuac, Texas.
While swatting away insects that seemed particularly drawn to the LEAP group, we took care not to disturb the stunning butterflies we came across. We also encountered numerous Blue Skimmer Dragonflies and Green Dragonflies, which gracefully posed for our photographs, showcasing their vibrant colors and crystal-clear wings.
Apart from these airborne creatures, we also marveled at the birds. The sheer number of Snowy Egrets flying overhead, searching for food and shelter in the coastal region of Texas, left us mesmerized. Similar to the egrets, we had the opportunity to capture the beauty of the Great Blue Heron.
This Heron stood out from the rest, as it confidently stood up at the post, and was ready for its close-up and unafraid of our cameras. We were fortunate to observe the Red-Winged Black Bird frequently, with its vibrant red dots on each wing, as well as the Common Gallinule. We even witnessed a mother Gallinule walking alongside her young in the swamp.
After encountering many of the local birds and some of their key characteristics such as beak type and coloring, we began to build our repertoire of identifiable birds.
We quickly learned to distinguish the White Ibis from other soaring birds due to their curved beaks and bright red faces. For instance, their beak shape is specialized for catching fish or breaking nuts.
Transitioning from birdwatching, we took a drive around the park, marveling at the reflection of cattails in the swampy green water. Our eyes were keen not only on the flying animals, but also on the most fearsome residents of the water – the famous alligators. Witnessing over 15 alligators at Anahuac Wildlife Refuge was truly astonishing. Additionally, we spotted turtles and ducks leisurely living their lives in the water, unaware that they could become the alligators’ next meal.
To conclude our nature walk, we strolled along a boardwalk that rose above what used to be a marsh filled with water. Now, it lay as an enormous dried-out muddy pool beneath us. Though unexpected, the view was undeniably stunning and too captivating to miss to finish off our adventure with the perfect sunset selfie of the LEAP Ambassadors!
The time has come for the LEAP Ambassador’s summer retreat! The organization prides itself in its forward-thinking nature, which is done to maximize our education and serve our community with intent and efficiency. This retreat was also something of a microcosm of our larger efforts, stressing broad-based and experiential learning.
Phoenicia’s Speciality Foods
By Ingrid Cuero
With a long day ahead, Professor Yawn, Stephanie Fors, Olivia Discon, Michelle Cardenas, Yvette Mendoza, Morgan Robertson, and I met for lunch to fuel ourselves at Phoenicia Specialty Foods: A Mediterranean market that houses many delicacies, including deli, cheeses, and desserts. It is more of a grab-and-go eatery, so there were many people coming in-and-out as we looked and picked out our choice of foods. This was many of the group’s first time visiting the market, and for some members, it was the first time having middle-eastern food!
Olivia decided to eat a Lemon Chicken Soup with Pasta Pesto Salad.
Both Michelle and Morgan decided to get the Specialty Shawarma Wrap, Michelle having chicken and Morgan having lamb.
Yvette decided to get the regular Lamb Shawarma dish with veggie grape leaves as her side. I stayed with the classic rice, beans, and grilled veggies as my side, with an additional zucchini soup to top things off.
We took the time to catch up after a few weeks of summer break between us, sharing our summer activities and some laughs throughout.
After sharing some pastries, which consisted of baklava, lemon custard, and cookies, planned out the day in a bit more detail, and we were ready to take on our day!
Betty Moody Art Gallery
By Yvette Mendoza
After indulging in Phoenicia’s, our bodies fueled and ready, we set off for our first destination: the Betty Moody Art Gallery. The moment we stepped inside, we were captivated by the awe-inspiring artwork on display…
…and to our delight Ms. Betty Moody was there, and she graciously offered to give us a personal tour.
Each art piece came alive as Ms. Moody passionately explained the work’s intricacies. As we entered through the main entrance, our attention was drawn to the collection by Andrea Rosenberg. Ms. Moody skillfully unraveled the hidden depths and artistic techniques behind Rosenberg’s floral paintings, revealing the significance of every brushstroke. From the choice of Japanese rice paper to the spontaneity and simplicity that belied years of experience, it fascinated us to discover the immense skill required to create such seemingly effortless abstract flowers.
We witnessed this contrast in two paintings placed on opposite sides of the faller – an exquisitely delicate blossom alongside a vibrant explosion of colors behind a boldly outlined orange flower.
We have learned of Rosenberg’s painting method, using thumbtacks to hang her canvases on the wall at a height convenient for her stature, and then getting to work. Often working quickly, Ms. Rosenberg can fill even large canvasses quickly.
Ms. Moody’s generosity extended beyond technical explanations; she also shared the rich histories behind many of the pieces, some of which she had in her own kitchen and bedroom adjacent to the gallery! Each piece held a profound connection to the past, including sculptures and artwork spanning thousands of years from Roman culture to the present.
Among the treasures was a calamari serving platter crafted from walrus tusk, artfully shaped into adorable seals, each possessing its own unique value.
As we delved deeper into her collection, we encountered various art styles, from a signed Campbell’s soup can symbolizing the Pop Art style by Andy Warhol, to sketches by her dear friend and talented artist Luis Jimenez, known for his remarkable sculptures of mustangs and his skill in sketching classic cars.
Lastly, Ms. Moody showcased the remarkable silver jewelry crafted by her beloved husband, Bill Steffy, which, while distinct from pop art or drawing, exuded its own allure, featuring beautifully designed metal skulls and silver jewelry that she was wearing.
Our gratitude to Ms. Moody is such a great amount. Every item she owned or curated in her art gallery possessed a profound meaning, and she concluded our visit by emphasizing that she doesn’t think of art as an investment, but rather simply thinks of it as a way of life.
Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
By Michelle Cardenas
Our third stop was the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, which was my first ever visit to a museum! We entered through Olafur Eliasson’s yellow-casted walkway, “Sometimes an underground movement is an illuminated bridge” to begin the experience.
Professor Yawn took Olivia, Ingrid and I on a tour through the museum, highlighting the various art periods, their historical significance, and key artists of each era. Starting with the Realism art movement, we had the opportunity to view a gallery that encapsulated the art world before the invention of the camera; resulting in a desire to capture life in extreme detail and realism. Olivia particularly enjoyed “Sheerness as seen from the Nore” by Joseph Mallard William Turner.
Personally, I was attracted to a Jacques Raymond Brasscassat piece titled “A Bull Fight”.
We progressed through time and expanded on the influence of technology on art.
The introduction of photography brought a sense of liberty to artists; allowing them to create works that were a reflection of their personal perspective as opposed to objective relativity.
Many artists like Claude Monet began to develop new techniques, particularly impressionism.
The Impressionist era was followed by even more new techniques and styles, suggesting that ideas really do beget ideas. And we learned about pointillism and fauvism, which redefined what society considers a masterpiece. A piece that Ingrid enjoyed was “The Bonaventure Pine” by Paul Signac, which features the technique. When you look closer, you are able to see color theory at play!
We then got to the early 20th century, where I got to see my first Picasso painting, “Le Rameur” or “The Rower“.
Both Pablo Picasso and George Braque are accredited for inventing a technique called Cubism, a movement utilizing geometric shapes to create a painting that can be seen from several angles.
We ended our tour with some American art pieces, many of which focused on the American dreams of westward expansion, highlighted through dreamy landscapes and featuring Native Americans. Here I discovered one of my favorite artists of the museum; Albert Bierstadt. The early American landscapes were breathtaking and captured the allure of the unknown frontier.
Before we left, we had the pleasure to visit Yayoi Kusama’s “Aftermath of Obliteration of Eternity“, an immersive experience in which a subtle, fleeting burst of light comes and goes. Kusama, who is known for her work with polka dots, uses a similar assortment of lit lamps that are infinitely mirrored. The experience was both beautiful and incredibly thought provoking.
Special Exhibits: Impressionism and Post-Impressionism, Pixel Forest and Worry Will Vanish
With the MFAH possessing some beautiful Impressionist-era pieces in their general gallery, Morgan and I were treated with a special exhibit that had both Impressionist and Post Impressionist works on display! We were able to see works by Cezanne, Renoir, Cassatt, and even a Van Gogh, called “The Rocks”. We were both delighted to have experienced such renowned pieces in person.
We also had the privilege to attend a truly immersive experience: Pixel Forest and Worry Will Vanish by Pipilotti Rist. This captivating installation consisted of crystal-like neon balls hanging from the ceiling, creating a breathtaking visual spectacle through a stunning light show. Stepping into this immersive environment felt like traversing the threshold into an enchanting and surreal realm, where reality blended seamlessly with imagination.
Thanks to the many opportunities the LEAP Center provides to expand one’s cultural awareness, I was exposed to new concepts and artists I was otherwise unfamiliar with. If a trip to the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston taught me one thing, it was that art is extremely reflective of the world events occurring within that time period. It was an excellent opportunity for us to familiarize ourselves with these classic masterpieces!
High Island
By Ingrid Cuero
After experiencing a day filled with remarkable works of art, it was time to hone in on our own craft: photography! A major focal point of our retreat is to ensure that each ambassador has the opportunity to develop a well-rounded knowledge of the world around them, which includes nature. With that, we traveled to High Island in Galveston just before sunset to practice our photography and, we hoped, to spot some wildlife–which we did, almost immediately!
Upon arrival, I saw three bunnies having dinner on the far side of the park. Taking slow steps into their direction, I went to them and captured a few photos before they took notice and fled the scene. Michelle was able to get an even closer photo!
We then walked onto the trail to the lake, where we spent most of our time. Some would say outdoor photography is its own beast, as you must adapt to the unpredictable conditions of nature to get a perfect shot. As many of us on the trip are familiarizing ourselves with the inner-workings of photography, this was a perfect way to apply what we have learned so far.
We had plenty of opportunities, as the landscape was filled with birds, turtles, and alligators, along with a beautiful sunset before us.
During this time, we tried to educate ourselves about the many species of birds we captured (by camera, of course). A few breeds of birds that we saw included the Roseate Spoonbill, the Great Egret, and the Little Blue Heron. Mating season for these birds is between April and May, so we saw many nests with baby birds secured in them.
Professor Yawn explained to the group some interesting information about male birds in real time! Male birds, we learned, can be very territorial, leading to physical fights against other birds, and we saw many such examples of this type of behavior.
And with that, the LEAP Ambassadors ended a successful first day on their summer retreat! We had a fun-filled day focused on challenging ourselves to take initiative on the concepts we can improve on.
Just 36 hours before our summer retreat, Michelle Cardenas, Olivia Discon, Ingrid Cuero, and I made our way to Houston to see award-winning author, Megan Abbott, discuss her new book: Beware the Woman. Abbott’s seventh stop on her book tour was hosted at one of our favorite local bookstores, Murder By The Book. Like its name suggests, Murder By The Book is certainly a place for true crime enthusiasts, mystery fanatics, and of course avid readers!
In most crime novels, and in real cases, the perpetrator is often male. However, Abbott flips the narrative in her works by diving into the motives and emotions that drive women to act in malicious ways. Beware the Woman follows a newlywed and expecting couple Jacy and Jed, as they venture to Jed’s fathers’ cabin in the woods. Without giving too much away, Abbott managed to offer some teasers about the book, while also answering questions from the audience and successfully hooked us on reading the book!
Abbott chose to spend her time answering questions from the audience. In past interviews and articles, Abbott indicated that she has been heavily influenced by film noir. Professor Yawn asked Abbott if she pictures certain actors from film noir as her characters while she writes. Abbott answered of course and listed some of her childhood favorites including Robert Mitchum, Humphrey Bogard, and Gloria Grahame! However, she also mentioned how she tries to leave enough ambiguity so that readers may fill in the blanks and invasion their own protagonist or villain.
Another question from the audience, prompted Abbott to choose her favorite of her works. After pondering on her answer
Abbott chose Dare Me (2012) which details the true nature of a high school cheer squad with a dark twist. This question led Abbott to describe part of her researching process. In her example, Abbott chose The Turnout (2021) and explained that YouTube and message boards were a few of her greatest tools to uncover what the world of competitive ballet looks like. Although she interviewed countless ballet dancers and instructors, online sources also provided details needed for her thriller. Abbott noted how in preparation for a book, she will do extensive research at the beginning so that she doesn’t have to fact check every small detail as she begins to write.
Olivia most enjoyed how Abbott contemplated each question and gave genuine answers about her process and her own opinions on her work. Olivia purchased The Song is You (2007) after talking with Stephanie who enjoyed the book for its noir themes and “female fatale” character.
Abbott was kind enough to pose for a picture with our group and chat with us for a few minutes!
The LEAP Ambassadors would like to thank Megan Abbott for her lively and engaging book talk, as well as Murder By The Book for hosting such a great event!
You may know the Wynne Home for its beautiful architecture; or, you may know it for its regular art exhibits; others know it because of the great programs it offers, such as Empty Bowls or its annual Easter Egg Hunt. But the Wynne Home also offers a speaker series, and last week, Dr. Michael Strutt, the Director of Cultural Resources for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, discussed how our State Park system–just like the Wynne Home–is multi-dimensional.
Before the event began, I had the opportunity to look at the newest exhibit being shown at the Wynne Home. Under a Texas Sky by Derrick Birdsall was a beautiful back drop to the conversation about past Texans and the natural landscape the Texas Parks and Wildlife has worked so hard to protect.
I was also able to enjoy refreshments provided by the Friends of the Wynne and mingle with Miranda Estrada, a former LEAP Ambassador who–two degrees later–is working as the City’s Economic Development Specialist.
I also introduced myself to Dr. Strutt before the event began to discuss career opportunities within the Texas Parks and Wildlife, the powers held by the Texas Game Wardens and Park Police, and living in Austin.
Sarah Faulkner, the Cultural Services Manager for the Wynne Home, began the night by introducing Dr. Strutt. Ms. Faulkner actually met Dr. Strutt when she was working for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department at the Battleship Texas State Historic Site. Dr. Strutt, originally from Virgina, has held his position for the Texas Parks and Wildlife for 21 years and received degrees in Anthropology, Earth Sciences, and Archeology.
Dr. Strutt started the presentation by explaining of the organizational structure of the Cultural Department. The department is divided into five smaller departments: archeology, archeology collection, preservation, cultural services, and the regional cultural services. All of the departments, except for the regional services, work out of the headquarters in Austin. The department does a lot of various tasks to ensure the preservation of our past such as fixing, cataloging, and restoring historic buildings, furniture, and other historic objects, as well as cleaning and waxing statues. With over 60,000 historical objects catalogued in Portfolio and a web application that TPWD employees use to reference historical objects that are all over the state, Dr. Strutt and his team stay very busy.
He went into depth about specific projects the Cultural Resources department has worked on, projects that are currently in the works, and the next steps for the Texas Parks and Wildlife. One of the projects I found the most fascinating was the restoration of adobe buildings at a fort in West Texas. The Cultural Resources department not only found a specialist to ensure that the building was restored, but they taught the Rangers, Interpreters, and other Park employees how to restore the building.
Dr. Strutt emphasized that every employee must know the history their park and how to care for it to ensure that the employees could answer questions from the public and, more importantly, take pride in their parks. Another recent project that took place was very close to home, as the Cultural Resources office helped Huntsville State Park redo the siding on the boathouse build by the Civilian Conservation Corps over 80 years ago.
In the field, the Cultural Resources team is also working hard. At Seminole State Park, archeologists have just recently discovered a fire pit that was last used over 2000 years ago. The site was discovered during an archeological survey before a pump station was built. At Caprock Canyon State Park, after years of erosion along the cliffs, archeologists apart of Dr. Stutts team have discovered a large deposit of Bison remains. They believe the location was a site for meat processing for a Native American tribe at one time. Dr. Strutt informed us that once more research had been included, both of these sites would be a part of the interpretation of their respective parks.
Being that is it that centennial year of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Dr. Strutt and his team have been working on various projects about the history of the department itself. He told us all about the first female superintendent of a Texas State Park, Carrie May Ferrell. Ferrell was the Superintendent of Stephen F Austin State Park during the early 1930s, but she was not the only female trailblazer in the Parks Department. Ethel Harris was the Superintendent of Mission San Jose for 22 years, before her retirement in 1963, while also running her own art business. Learning about the conservation efforts of women before women were widely accepted into the workplace was more than inspiring.
While we spend a lot of time discussing Texas’ past, we also discussed the future, that is the future of State Parks. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department recently announced that they will be opening two new natural areas and three new state parks soon. Before any construction can begin, archeological studies must be conducted, interpretations of any objects must be researched, and much more will be done by the Cultural Resources office. There are also new technologies being introduced to parks to make them more accessible such as free interpretation apps for individuals who are visually impaired. These apps are alert individuals of trail signs and actually read those signs, whether directions or interpretations, aloud. The technology is actively used at Palmetto State Park currently.
At one point during the presentation, Dr. Strutt was talking about why he likes his job. There were a lot of different reasons, but the one that stood out to me was when he said, “I get to see your parks.” A sentence as simple of that was enough to remind me that the parks, historical sites, and everything in them are parts of what Texas was and is. It was a beautiful remembrance of how connected we are to those who came before us.
The night concluded with the Friends of the Wynne presenting Dr. Strutt with a book reflecting art made out of interpretation for the state parks. Dr. Strutt was kind enough to stick around for a while to chat with attendees.
When I went to thank him for the riveting presentation, he commented on the number of State Parks I had visited. Whenever he would discuss a project, he would ask who had been to that park and most times I would raise my hand. We discussed the state parks we had both been to and which were our favorite, neither one of us could pick just one park but we both had an appreciation for Lost Maples. He suggested I go to Palo Duro Canyon, a state park I have always wanted to visit, and informed me that there was no sunset like the sunset on the canyon.
LEAP is all about new adventures and experiences and although it took me a bit to adjust to a new and bigger city (editor’s note: the girl is from Houston, but she was a homebody), I was more than happy to explore what Austin has to offer, and that made for an artful weekend!
For many, breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and I don’t steer away from that. Missing home and my parents cooking, I decided to check out the La Yaquesita food truck. With many options to choose from. . . gorditas, tacos, tortas, sopes, and much more, I opted for what my heart most desired . . . chicharron prensado tacos made with freshly made maize tortillas. These delicious and flavorful tacos did not disappoint and were definitely a great start to my morning.
Austin has many historic homes you can visit, but I chose to visit one of the oldest – the Neill-Cochran House Museum – located in the heart of the city. This beautiful structure resembles Greek Architecture visible through the symmetry and use of Doric columns. The home was designed in 1855 by Abner Cook, who was commissioned by a young couple, Washington and Mary Hill , to construct a nice Greek revival home. [Cook is also the architect who designed the Governor’s Mansion and if you have seen them both you can easily see the similarities.]
After becoming the capital of Texas, the City of Austin rapidly expanded, and its economy rose as many wealthy and prominent individuals moved to the city. Before they knew it, the young couple’s dream home was no longer within their means. And despite their attempts to finance the home, they were not able to finish the construction.
Consequently, this home passed to different owners and for different purposes: it was a school for the blind, a hospital during the civil war for soldiers who were recovering from yellow fever and cholera, and a home that was privately owned.
And although it was built as a private home, it didn’t actually become one until 1892, when the Neil family, Colonel Andrew and Jennie, moved to Austin from Galveston and purchased this home for its majestic appearance. During their time in the home, they threw elegant parties, were known for their wine cellar (which is not open to tour), and entertained politicians.
The home was later purchased by Thomas Cochran, and he and his wife, three children, mother, and father-in-law lived in there. Although a large home, I suspect those living arrangements were cramped. The home is furnished with some of their original furnishings and other pieces from the same period.
The first floor consisted of a double parlor (where weddings took place throughout the history of the home), a French parlor, kitchen, and a dining room. The second floor consisted of all the bedrooms and a balcony, although safety concerns precluded public access.
My favorite part of the the house was the double parlor. Upon walking into the room you are welcomed by a grand space and a portrait of Mary Cochran Bohls. The room had a beautiful chandelier hanging from the ceiling, dainty lace curtains, fancy sofas, a kids trojan horse, and an absolutely beautiful melodeon (organ like piano). I was blessed to be able to hear a tune out of this piano as the staffer there showed us how it worked. As you made your way around the house you could see portraits of family members, the floral themed carpets that would have been installed during Thomas Cochran’s time, as well as servants’ entries. As I explored the bedrooms, I was amazed to learn about their stories, the similarity in toys/ dolls that they grew up with and the ones that I did, and to see the tiny shoes they used to wear.
On my way out of the home, I was also able to see the structure originally built for slaves, but which mostly served as servants’ quarters.
I then ventured off to the Umlauf Sculpture Garden where I not only admired the sculptures but also attempted to reenact some of them. Charles Umlauf is an American sculptor born to French and German immigrants. His work varied from expressionism to abstraction, while also utilizing different materials: wood, terra cotta, cast stone, rich bronzes, luminous marbles. Within the garden there was a mix of his work: sculptures of animals, religious and mythological figures, family groupings, etc. Although it is small, it is quite intimate and allows you to have fun with friends and family.
It was a nice follow up to the Neill-Cochran House Museum and a nice segue to Zilker Park, where I played frisbee and enjoyed the nice weather.
Although I had many other interesting adventures throughout my Austin internship, this occurred early in the semester, when it was still possible to relax a bit and learn as much as possible in the process.
Of course, just working the session in Austin is an adventure, and although my opportunities for relaxation declined over the course of the 140 days, the adventure and the learning never did!
Derrick Birdsall, the current director of the Sam Houston Memorial Museum, is a photographer who seeks to capture remote landscapes with the vivacity of the context behind them. Birdsall’s “Under the Texas Sky” exhibition is now on display at the Wynne Home, and I had the privilege to both assist and attend the opening reception on May 23, 2023.
Despite the severe weather, there were several people in attendance. Those who arrived early had the opportunity to mingle and treat themselves to some refreshments provided by the Friends of the Wynne.
Beginning with a brief opening statement, Cultural Services Manager Sarah Faulkner spoke about a few upcoming events that the Wynne Home is hosting, as well as introduced the man of the hour.
Derrick encouraged the attendees to take photos of what interests them in line with the moment, without influences of technology or trends. Many of the pictures that are on display are the result of exploring what was “just around the corner”, with incredible scenic landscapes as a result.
Throughout the reception, we were able to ask Derrick questions about any particular work and the story behind it. One discussion that particularly fascinated me was “Scratch That Itch”: a charming picture of a herd of bison at Caprock Canyons State Park. At first glance, I wouldn’t have assumed the significance of the herd outside of its ideal placement in front of the canyons. However, with the guidance of the photographer himself, I was able to grasp how remarkable it was! The Goodnight Herd is one of the oldest-living domesticated bison, who were restored from near-extinction and returned to their native land. The perspective of a photographer with great historical knowledge captivates the viewers to not only gain the insight of the photo itself, but also the historical context.
The gallery was a wonderful way to incite conversations in the community surrounding the art of photography and the natural world. Many thanks to Derrick Birdsall for sharing his stories and photographs, and to the Wynne Home for hosting this exhibition!
Center for Law, Engagement, and Politics 