Introducing the 2023 Carter Community Artists

The Amon Carter Museum of American Art (the Carter) is thrilled to announce its 2023 Carter Community Artists: Kathy Brown, Adam Fung, Olivia Garcia-Hassell, and Rebecca Shewmaker.

Celebrating its fifth year, the Carter Community Artist (CCA) initiative was established to collaborate with and support local artists, to enhance the Carter’s events and programs, and to connect practicing artists to the North Texas community. Every year, the Carter selects four local artists to assist with creating, planning, and leading experiences on-site, off-site, and virtually, while continuing to work with CCA alumni. Throughout 2023, the CCA’s will bring their distinct talents and points of view to events and projects as they make connections to the Museum’s expansive collection, exhibitions, and rich history with the local community.

“As we approach the fifth year of the Carter Community Artist initiative, it is important that we take time to reflect on the impact that the artists have had over the past half decade—on the Carter’s educational programs, on visitors, and on one another,” said Amanda Blake, Director of Education, Library, and Visitor Experience at the Carter. “Whether talking about a work from the Carter’s collection with a third grader in an afterschool program, teaching adults drawing techniques in the galleries, or leading a group in an activity during one of the Museum’s access programs for children on the autism spectrum, the Carter Community Artists continue to make their mark on the Carter and the local community.”

Carter Community Artists are chosen each year by Carter education staff. This year’s artists’ practices range in a variety of topics, media, and themes, each bringing a different and unique view to the program. With an interest in art education, Kathy Brown’s artistic practice focuses on sewing, juxtaposition, witnessing, reimagining, homage, and counternarrative. Adam Fung uses oil painting to create artworks that directly engage with the planet’s looming climate crisis and our connection to nature. As an art teacher, Olivia Garcia-Hassell has created artworks in a variety of media, including photography and watercolor. Rebecca Shewmaker uses sewing and embroidery techniques to create landscape paintings from fabric and thread. These artists’ unique perspectives and areas of focus will help shape the ways we interact with our community in 2023, from lectures and workshops to student tours and activities during Second Thursdays at the Carter.

While the CCA program undergoes changes and improvements each year, the commitment to community impact and fostering creativity remains. This year, the program is committed to collaborating with the Carter education staff to activate and connect with audiences, both at the Museum and out in the community. These initiatives will include programs for all ages and abilities to connect the North Texas community with the Carter. The Carter’s collaboration with these artists will help cultivate new and unique points of view on both American art and the Carter. Visit cartermuseum.org/events for up-to-date information on events featuring our new class of Carter Community Artists.

Carter Community Artists: 2023 Class

Kathy Brown

Dr. Kathy J. Brown is a North Texas-based artist and assistant professor of art education at the University of North Texas. Originally from Detroit, Brown previously worked as a pre-K-8 art teacher. Her work is rooted in cultural epistemologies and focuses on sewing, juxtaposition, witnessing, reimagining, homage, and counternarrative.

“As a 2023 Carter Community Artist, I am looking forward to exploring the Museum collection with diverse audiences via collective wonderings, inquiry-based critical dialogue, and interactive art making.” – Kathy Brown

Adam Fung

Adam Fung is a Fort Worth-based artist and associate professor of art at Texas Christian University. Having lived from coast to coast within the United States, Fung directly engages with the concept of land and spaces. Utilizing both painting and film, Fung’s work explores our relationship to nature and the planet’s looming climate crisis.

“As a 2023 Carter Community Artist, I am extremely excited to experiment with forms outside my typical oil painting practice to connect the community to the rich, dynamic collection of the Amon Carter Museum of American Art.” – Adam Fung

Olivia Garcia-Hassell

Olivia Garcia-Hassell is a Fort Worth-based artist and museum educator at the Kimbell Art Museum. As a Fort Worth ISD teacher for eleven years, Garcia-Hassell created works using a variety of media including charcoal, photography, watercolor, gouache, and graphite. She is also currently self-employed as “The OG Art Teacher,” taking art commissions and teaching personalized art sessions.

“As a 2023 Carter Community Artist, I am most looking forward to discovering the depths of myself as an artist, writer, and educator through working with the Carter’s education team to help foster community interactions that ignite creativity, artistic exploration, and familiarity with the Museum.” – Oliva Garcia-Hassell

Rebecca Shewmaker

Rebecca Shewmaker is a North Texas-based artist who uses sewing and embroidery techniques to create landscape paintings from fabric and thread. Inspired by the beauty of Texas, Shewmaker has worked as an artist-in-residence for national parks and her work has been exhibited throughout the United States.

“I am excited to help people of all ages create Carter-inspired art through the Museum’s educational programs. During my art education, I had many pivotal moments when learning a new artistic technique or when an idea sparked a new direction in my art making. I hope to facilitate those moments for others as we explore the exhibitions and collections of the Carter together.” – Rebecca Shewmaker